A fight for the U.N.’s survival?

Admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:54:13 +0000

by Sayre Sheldon, WAND NGO Representative for the U.N. Working Group for Women, Peace, and Security, and WAND Ed Fund Board member/Treasurer

Published: October 25, 2012 by the MetroWest Daily News and the Framingham TAB

It may not be a day that resonates very much in the U.S. calendar of events, but United Nations Day (October 24) honors the world’s longest existence of an international organization for peace. Founded in 1945 after World War II, the United Nations (U.N.) has far outlasted an earlier attempt following World War I, The League of Nations.

We know that the U.N. is vital for global peace, so why am I looking at a letter mailed to our house asking us to sign a petition for cutting U.S. funding of the U.N? Where does this letter come from? Is it just an empty threat like so many of these letters we have received in the past and consigned, unopened, to our recycling pile?

The sender’s title, “President, National Committee Against the U.N. Takeover,” reveals the usual U.N. paranoia that haunts U.S. political discourse. The threat this time might be more real because the petition enclosed is directed to House Speaker John Boehner in support of House Bill (H.R. 2829), which would “shift the funding mechanism for the regular budget of the U.N. from an assessed to a voluntary basis” and already has 187 co-sponsors.

In case we don’t get the message of this mailing, the enclosed petition begins “The United Nations is one of the most anti-American organizations on the planet!” Below this is the usual list of the reasons the U.S. should not fund the U.N. any longer, including corruption and salary increases. The U.S. is a major contributor to the U.N., yet the requested federal budget for fiscal year 2013 only allotted $568 million for the U.N.’s regular budget. Meanwhile, a whopping $639 billion of discretionary funds was requested for the Pentagon to fund things like unnecessary wars and outdated nuclear weapons systems. Seems like cutting U.S. funding of the U.N. wouldn’t even make a dent in our national debt.

So why is this letter effective? First – fear implied by “takeover.” Most attacks on the U.N. express frustration with its not enough getting done. Here there is some justification: a global organization seldom reaches agreement. But a U.N. strong enough to take over the U.S.? Absurd. Nevertheless, fear is effective.

Secondly ignorance – the U.N.’s “anti-Americanism.” Tell this to the smaller countries in the U.N. who feel they are being steam-rolled by the major powers! Criticism by all nations is standard at the U.N. American tolerance for free speech is one of our greatest strengths as is evident in letters like these. But its authors evidently feel that free speech on an international level becomes anti-Americanism.

Again, ignorance is effective. But blaming the U.N. for anti-Americanism is a dangerous way of shielding the public from some of the very real opposition to our actions in the world: the invasion of Iraq, for example. And let’s not forget how important the U.N. is to cleaning up the mess we helped make for women and children in Afghanistan. U.N. Resolution 1325 “urges Member States to ensure increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict.” Our President has expressed his support for this resolution with his executive order to institute the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security.

So let’s have a U.N. Day that echoes with strong support for the world’s longest attempt to subdue fear and ignorance in all its countries and build a mutual support system for peace and security. Let’s make sure Washington knows our budget priorities and understands the vital role of women in peace processes. And let’s remember that world problems such as hunger, war, climate change, and human rights demand an organization containing all the world’s countries.

Once again, this letter travels to our waste-basket.

Susan Shaer Moderates DC Roundtable for Members of Congress on UN Resolution 1325 and the NAP

Admin — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:05:59 +0000

WASHINGTON – A Roundtable held Wednesday, June 6, 2012 on the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP) was moderated by Susan Shaer, executive director of the Boston-based national nonprofit Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND). The discussion was co-sponsored by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO), the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and US Section. Featuring first ever US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer, the program focused on the role of women in peace-building and conflict prevention.

“Secretary Clinton has continually stated that it is time for the US to ‘fundamentally change the ways we do business’ with regards to women’s issues,” stated Susan Shaer. “WAND knows that women must be at the table when developing and executing plans for sustainable peace. We look forward to working with Congresswoman Johnson, Congressman Carnahan, Ambassador Verveer, WILPF, and other Congressional and community leaders, to push for funding and legislative efforts that support the implementation of this plan to promote women, peace and security.”

The NAP states that the US will "institutionalize a gender-responsive approach to its diplomatic, development, and defense-related work in conflict affected environments," and will work to increase women's rights and "substantive participation in peace processes, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, transitional processes, and decision making institutions in conflict-affected environments."

“This Roundtable Discussion is a part of my women’s peace initiative A World of Women for World Peace,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “Through this initiative, I have worked tirelessly to bring attention to those on the forefront of the peace movement. Whether meeting with international delegations or hosting events on Capitol Hill, such as this one, I hope to bring conflict resolution to our dialogue. The goal for this discussion was to provide a foundation for how my colleagues and I can best support the implementation of the National Action Plan.”

“Women and girls are disproportionately affected by violence, conflict, and humanitarian disaster,” said Congressman Carnahan. “Though we hear about it all too rarely, they have made incredible contributions to ending conflict around the world—like in Liberia, where Muslim and Christian women came together to help end civil war—or in Northern Ireland, where women were essential in initiating the peace process. Today, women in countries around the world, like Sudan, the DRC, Afghanistan, and countries affected by the Arab Spring continue to demand a voice in peace, transition, and governance. These women, and so many more, exemplify why UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security are critical for global security and prosperity. Our roundtable dialogue helped further Congressional commitment to ensure robust implementation of the National Action Plan.”

The NAP is the outcome of a process that began more than a decade ago with the passing of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which encouraged the UN and its member states to integrate a "gender perspective" in all aspects of peace and security. In October 2004, a subsequent Security Council Presidential Statement called on the “development of national action plans” to further implement SCR 1325. To date, 35 countries have approved plans.

WAND Education Fund » UN

A fight for the U.N.’s survival?

Susan Shaer Moderates DC Roundtable for Members of Congress on UN Resolution 1325 and the NAP