The United Nations Association of Australia (WA div), will celebrate their 75th Anniversary, Friday 23 October 2020.
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. To Rotarians, these foundations are very familiar and so no surprise that Rotary was integral in the formation of this organisation. 
During World War II, Rotarians were able to guide, inform and influence our leaders, as to the importance of planning for peace. Sadly, not much has changed in our world over the past 75 years, and it is a call to action that remains as important and valid today as it was in 1945. The term "United Nations" was first officially used in 1942 with the signing of a pledge to uphold the ideals on which signatories "based their hopes for a better future for the world." In the ensuing years, representatives of Great Britain, Soviet Union and the United States met in Moscow (1943) and later Washington DC (1944) by which time China had joined the round table discussions. These meetings became known as the Dumbarton Oaks Conference where a proposal was developed for the new organisation that was to be - The United Nations.
After the conference, Rotary published “What Can Rotarians Do Following Dumbarton Oaks?” It included the proposed charter, talking points, and suggestions for discussing with club members how the United Nations would relate to Rotary’s goal of advancing international understanding.
Due to its unique international character, and the powers vested in its founding Charter, the Organization can take action on a wide range of issues. The work of the United Nations reaches every corner of the globe. The UN is best known for peacekeeping, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance to people throughout the world. The Organization works on a broad range of fundamental issues, from sustainable development, environment and refugees protection, disaster relief, counter terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, to promoting democracy, human rights, gender equality and the advancement of women, governance, economic and social development and international health, clearing landmines, expanding food production, and more, in order to achieve its goals and coordinate efforts for a safer world for this and future generations.
The UN has 4 main purposes
- To keep peace throughout the world;
- To develop friendly relations among nations;
- To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms;
- To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals
We encourage all Perth Rotary Members to join with the United Nations Association of Australia (WA Div) to celebrate this special occasion at The Duxton Hotel, Friday 23 October 2020. Booking link is https://tinyurl.com/ycontl8r .