The Northern Region Branch spans the Auckland Suburbs, and is one of UNANZ's larger branches. If you're not a member of Northern Branch, and you're in the Auckland Region, click here to join now!
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Northern News and Reports
NC4 Report - February 2011
We in the Northern Region branch were deeply saddened to learn of the death of our Branch President George Valentine sometime in late December. Since joining the Branch in early 2010, George took an active involvement in many branch-level activities. He had a wealth of life experience from the Middle East, Africa, the United States and elsewhere, and had many an anecdote to share. One of the memorable events George participated in was the Soka Gakkai culture of peace evening at Massey University in Albany in September. George joined a panel of four and spoke eloquently about the role of the UN in promoting world harmony. George also wrote to support the submission that Auckland City be declared a City for Peace supporting the worldwide movement towards nuclear disarmament. This is an initiative of Laurie Ross, NRB Committee member. On 15 February Auckland Council hosted a workshop for council officers and representatives from peace groups to discuss the new declaration for Auckland as a peace city. George’s contributions and his enthusiasm will be sorely missed.
Over the period, branch members welcomed a number of visitors to Auckland, viz. Judith Parker and Kate Smith. Judith Parker is the Western Australia branch president and the lead organiser of the UNA Australia national conference 2011, while Kate Smith is the President of the Wanganui Branch. At our last meeting in December, Emily Chai, the President of UNYANZ, came to speak to us about the busy programme planned for 2011, including the National Youth Declaration and the High School Model UN.
Looking ahead for this year, we will hold our AGM on 9 March and our Secondary School Speech Awards in the week of 21 March. Our branch is also looking forward to participating in the International Cultural Festival in Mt Roskill on 27 March. This festival, which brings together many communities in Auckland and even boasts a soccer competition, was not held last year but fortunately returns this year with the blessing of the Auckland Council.
Acting Branch President Michael Shroff
Newsletter Report - September 2010
There are a number of activities in which the Northern Region branch has been involved during the last quarter that should be reported.
A few of us participated in the demonstration down Queen Street, Auckland, carrying the UN flag, against the Israeli aggression against the people of Gaza and the murder of those trying to provide humanitarian assistance. This demonstration was peaceful but noisy and culminated in a shoe-throwing demonstration at the US Consulate-General. We felt, from our observations and the comments that were made to us, that this involvement of UNANZ had been a very positive show of our support for the beleaguered people of Gaza.
It is important that we should all recognise the commitment of Audrey van Ryn’s husband, Chris, who is now on the Kia Ora Gaza flotilla making its way to Gaza with a substantial amount of humanitarian assistance.
Jean-Paul Bizoza gave two very effective and eloquent presentations about his experiences as a refugee from Burundi: one was at a meeting, in Gray’s home, of the Tauranga branch, the other at the Model United Nations Assembly. The young people who participated in the MUNA, in their assessment of the day, all mentioned how much they had gained from what Jean-Paul had to say.
We have agreed to co-sponsor (no financial commitment) the Soka Gakkai International New Zealand (Buddhists) Exhibition at Massey University from 20 to 24 September. The Exhibition is promoting the statement from the preamble of the UNESCO Constitution: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed. ”George will be giving a speech to formally open the Exhibition, along with two members of parliament: Vikki Kaye and Phil Twyford.
Auckland Peace Heritage Walk: this was launched during the Auckland Heritage Festival 2009 as part of the World March for Peace and Non-Violence. The Walk this year was organised by Civic Trust Auckland and UNANZ, Northern Region Branch.
Late Branch President George Valentine
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Contact Northern Branch:
Branch Co-Presidents
Michael Shroff 09 489 8907 mshroff@ihug.co.nz
Gary Russell 09 379 4008 gary@worldhistorytravel.com
Treasurer
Claire Gregory 09 638 8662
Secretary
Shona Hutchinson 09 620 6330 shohut@hotmail.com
Speech Awards
Shona Hutchinson 09 620 6330 shohut@hotmail.com
Special Officer: Sustainable Development:
Cherie Jameson 09 360 0473 Cherie.Jameson@gmail.com
Special Officer: Humanitarian Affairs:
Jean-Paul Bizoza 09 550 6099 jpbizoza@yahoo.co.nz
Special Officer: Human Rights:
Bradley MacDonald 09 579 4767 Bradley.m@woosh.co.nz
Special Officer: Information:
Audrey van Ryn 09 368 1516 audrey@writeaway.co.nz
Special Officer: Peace and Security:
Laurie Ross 09818 0696 laurie-ross@xtra.co.nz
Special Officer: UN Renewal:
Vacant
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