Jan Landsberg

District 22
United Nations Chairman

Zonta International has worked in partnership with the

United Nations since its inception in 1946

ZI has
Category 1 Status with the UN Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC),
Consultative Status with UNESCO, UNICEF, UNIFEM, ILO, Council of
Europe and the International Centre for Social Development and
Humanitarian Affairs.

Zonta International maintains representatives of its UN

committee at multiple UN sites:
Geneva Switzerland
New York USA
Paris France
Vienna Austria

Zonta Representatives
Attend UN Conferences, Agency Sessions, Committee Sessions,
Commission Meetings and get regular briefings from officials
Provide written statements and oral presentations on international
issues being considered
Responses focus around womens rights and worldwide gender equality
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October
24

October United Nations Day

On October 24, 1945, the United Nations (UN) came into force when the five
permanent members of the security council ratified the charter that had
been drawn up earlier that year. These members were: France, the Republic
of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Since 1947, the event's anniversary has been known as United Nations Day.
It is an occasion to highlight, celebrate and reflect on the work of the United
Nations and its family of specialized agencies.
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International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

17 October

Theme for 2012:

Ending the Violence of Extreme Poverty: Promoting Empowerment and Building
Peace
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been observed every
year since 1993. Fighting poverty remains at the core of the UN development
agenda.
At the Millennium Summit, world leaders committed themselves to cutting in
half, by the year 2015, the proportion of people living in extreme poverty, on less
than $1.25 a day.

Australias poverty rate has increased since 2003 with

one in six children now living in desperate need.
The inaugural Poverty in Australia Report just released,
says about 2.26 million Australians lived below the
poverty line in 2009 2010 and is even higher now.
http://acoss.org.au/uploads/ACOSS%20Poverty%20Rep
ort%202012_Final.pdf

Julia Gillard to co-chair UN group tackling poverty

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Prime Minister Julia
Gillard to co-chair with Paul Kagame President of Rwanda, a group of global leaders and
celebrities making a "final push" for implementation of the millennium development
goals by the target date of 2015.
He said Ms Gillard's "vision, leadership and commitment" had caused him to choose her
to lead the group, which includes singer Bob Geldof, CNN founder Ted Turner, UN
special adviser Jeffrey Sachs and Graca Machel, formerly a minister in Mozambique and
also wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela.
The goals include alleviating poverty, increasing access to clean water, food and
education and for developed countries to meet targets on foreign aid spending.

The First International Day of the Girl Child 11 October

Theme for 2012: Ending Child Marriage
On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution
66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls
rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
For its first observance, this years Day will focus on child marriage, which is a
fundamental human rights violation and impacts all aspects of a girls life. Poverty and
child marriage are inextricably linked.
Child marriage denies a girl of her childhood, disrupts her education, limits her
opportunities, increases her risk to be a victim of violence and abuse, jeopardizes her
health and therefore constitutes an obstacle to the achievement of nearly every
Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and the development of healthy communities.
Globally, around one in three young women aged 20-24 years were first married before
they reached age 18. One third of them entered into marriage before they turned 15.
Child marriage results in early and unwanted pregnancies, posing life-threatening risks
for girls.
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Child Marriage
is very common in Asia and Africa
Related to poverty and lack of education

Video In Afghanistan - Child Marriages Illegal But Common follow link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=1FJp8U3F7WM

Invest in Girls

Basic human rights, safety, life free from fear, adequate nutrition, health care and
education
Remember Malala Yousafzai, who was shot by the Talban for her outspoken advocacy for
girls education and childrens rights

Video Invest In Me - follow link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e4MVN3smU4&list=UUyghLTt_B37GUW1eBuYRkg&feature=player_embedded