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News & Press Releases
25th October 2023
20th October 2024 Medway United Nations Association (UNA) and Rochester Cathedral mark United Nations Day on Thursday 24th October 2024 'Join us in building a global community connected in its pursuit of equality, sustainability & peace' ------------------------------------- United Nations Day is celebrated annually on October 24 to mark the anniversary of the UN Charter coming into effect in 1945. It's a day to honour the UN's formation and the work it has done, while also reaffirming the UN Charter's key principles. The theme this year is "Fit for the future, building better together". Medway United Nations Association (UNA) works to support the principles and work of the United Nations and its agencies. Jessica Giles, Chair of Medway UNA said "We are delighted that Medway Council is supporting the work of the Medway branch of UNA-UK. At a local level a special flag raising event will take place at 10am this Thursday 24th October at Gun Wharf to commemorate the day, as well as raising the profile of the UNA and its work in Medway. We are delighted to invite members of the public and community leaders in Medway to join us in this ceremony. The United Nations was created to secure the possibility that nations may resolve potential conflicts peacefully, to alleviate poverty, hunger and the ravages of disease. It has proved itself to be an effective and influential agency of global cooperation. In these troubling times, it still remains the world’s best hope of achieving the original ideal enshrined in the Charter: peace and justice with a healthy environment and dignity for every human person.” To finish the day, a later event at Rochester Cathedral will include evensong at 17.30 and the Cathedral’s spire being illuminated in United Nations colour blue. Again, members of the public are most welcome to come along to evensong and the lighting of the spire. Jessica Giles for UNA Medway said “We are pleased that the Cathedral is going to light the spire supporting the work of the UN. The spire stands as a beacon of hope for everyone, and all are welcome and we’re delighted that Rochester Cathedral are supporting our local UNA." ------------------------------------- 10.00 Medway Council, Gun Wharf - flag raising United Nations flag raising at Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham ME4 4TR, to mark United Nations Day. Members of the public are welcome to come along to the ceremony ------------------------------------- 11.00 – UNA Coffee Morning at Rochester Cathedral All are welcome at Ithamar Chapel, Rochester Cathedral Crypt. Entrance via North (side) door of the Cathedral. *If you are intending to come to our coffee morning, please rsvp us at Medwayuna@gmail.comso we can put your name as an attendee for the Cathedral. ------------------------------------- 17.30 Evensong at Rochester Cathedral Prayers will be mentioned for Medway United Nations Association. ------------------------------------- Cathedral Spire light up Join us and Rochester Cathedral for the Cathedral spire to be lit up in United Nations colour blue to mark United Nations Day. ------------------------------------- OUR MISSION To build movements for systemic transformation at the UN and to advocate for UK action for global cooperation. A United Nations Association (UNA) is a non-governmental organization that exist in various countries to enhance the relationship between the people of member states and the United Nations to raise public awareness of the UN and its work, to promote the general goals of the UN. For more information on the role of UNA-UK please visit https://una.org.uk/ Our facebook page at Medway United Nations Association
27th May 2024 Rochester Cathedral & Medway United Nations Association hosts a wreath-laying ceremony to mark International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2024 This special day pays tribute to the dedication, professionalism and bravery of UN Peacekeepers while also remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of peace. Yesterday (Wednesday 29th May) Rochester Cathedral and Medway United Nations Association hosted a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate International Day of UN Peacekeepers. Medway UNA paid a solemn and respectful tribute to those UN Peacekeepers, during which a wreath was laid. Speaking after the event, Medway UNA Chair, Jessica Giles said: “Today marks the UN International Day of Peacekeepers. We honour their extraordinary contributions to international peace and security. We recognize the bravery and commitment of all peacekeepers and their families who serve globally and pay our respects to those who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of peace. We extend our appreciation to all our partners in peace, which include UN agencies, humanitarian organizations, the local communities we serve, women, youth, media professionals, host governments, troop-and police- contributing countries, member states, and many others. Medway joins the global community commemorated to honour the remarkable men and women who have served in UN peacekeeping missions. This day pays tribute to their dedication, while also remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of peace". This year, the United Nations commemorates the International Day of Peacekeepers under the theme, "Fit for the Future: Building Better Together. The theme for the day encapsulates the spirit of progress and collective action towards creating a world that is more equitable, just, and sustainable for all. It acknowledges the UN Peacekeeping's crucial role in helping countries transition from conflict to peace over 75 years and supports the Secretary-General's New Agenda for Peace to address future crises and conflicts effectively. It emphasizes the importance of fostering collaboration and innovation to address the evolving challenges of peacekeeping effectively. As global conflicts continue to change, UN Peacekeeping operations continue to adapt to the unique needs and circumstances of each mission. ENDS
Tuesday 24th October United Nations Day, saw the launch of Medway United Nations Association (UNA) at Rochester Cathedral, with a flag raising ceremony of the United Nations flag at Medway Council offices at Gun Wharf and the lighting up of the Cathedral Spire in United Nations colour Blue. Canon Gordon Giles, at Rochester Cathedral which hosted a coffee morning, evening prayers for the UNA and lighting the Cathedral spire (images attached) said "It was lovely to welcome Medway UNA for their launch event at Rochester Cathedral. We wish them good luck." Attending the events, Mayor of Medway, Cllr Nina Gurung, said "Now, more than ever, greater mutual respect and understanding, compassion and dialogue is needed to resolve differences. Today, we marked United Nations Day with the profoundly poignant flag raising ceremony at Gun Wharf- Medway Council Headquarters, with Medway United Nations Association, Cross Party Leaders, Councillors, Medway Interfaith Action and Medway Help for Ukrainians Charity. We hope and pray for total end of violence everywhere and heralding of lasting peace and harmony across the world. Thank you to Rochester Cathedral for the evening prayers and turning your spire Blue in recognition of UN Day." Alan Wells, spokesperson for Medway UNA said, "We are embarking at a Medway level, to support the principles and work of the United Nations and its agencies. And amplifying national advocacy on UN issues locally and raising the profile of the our UNA and its work in Medway. I know that the setting up Medway UNA is going to be the easy part. The real test is going to be the next 12 months, and being officially recognised by UNA-UK. I am very positive about Medway UNA's future. I know its going to be challenging, exciting, and yet rewarding. These past few years, indeed these past few weeks have demonstrated the need for international tools to ease the pain of suffering that we have all seen for ourselves played out. I am inviting Medway to join us, to contribute at a local level in building a global community connected in its pursuit of equality, sustainability and peace." UNA branches exist in every region in the UK. Our closest being Dartford UNA branch, Canterbury UNA and Tunbridge Wells UNA. Those UNA'S in the South East are themselves connected to London and South East Region of UNA-UK. And UNA's exist all around the world, split down into regional branches. Medway UNA will be one of many, but part of a broader global family of UNA’s. Our scope and remit - vast, and as you can appreciate, the UNs work - global in scale. From peacekeeping to UNESCO to Sustainable Development Goals in dealing with climate change and beyond. A United Nations Association (UNA) is a non-governmental organization that exist in various countries to enhance the relationship between the people of member states and the United Nations to raise public awareness of the UN and its work, to promote the general goals of the UN. It’s mission - To build movements for systemic transformation at the UN and to advocate for UK action for global cooperation. Alan Wells - Press Officer Medway United Nations Association
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