INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY & BANGLADESH VICTORY DAY
A joint celebration of two important events held at the Salvation Army Eastbourne (Old Town) with guests including the Chair of East Sussex County Council Councillor David Elkin; last year's Chair Councillor Peter Pragnell; the deputy Mayor of Eastbourne; Councillor Sammy Choudhry; Councillor Penny di Cara, together with many representatives from the Bangladeshi community. Ian Elgie, Chair UNA Eastbourne gave a short address on Human Rights and the impact of Climate Change on Bangladesh. Deputy Chair, Mozmil Hussain, spoke on the importance of the Bangladesh Victory Day, followed by the Bangladesh national anthem. Capt. Gary Muston of the Salvation Army also spoke briefly on the issue of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. The speeches were followed by Bangladeshi cuisine and lively entertainment from the Eden Blue Drummers and the Sea Gypsies performing Bollywood dances.
Our celebration was important for two main reasons. Firstly, to recognise the importance of our universal human rights and for this event to bring diverse local communities together. Secondly, to recognise the huge challenges we continue to face today to ensure the full implementation of the principles behind the UN Charter on Human Rights.
​Celebrating diversity – A chance for you to join with the United Nations Association Eastbourne in celebrating the diversity or race and religion within our community
​International Mother's Day Language Celebrations. The following event was organised by UNA Eastbourne to promote the recognition and acceptance of the many different languages spoken in our community and elsewhere.
​Challenging our lifestyles to protect our planet: The impacts of our appetite for palm oil and meat
A Panel discussion with John Halladay, Greenpeace, on The Production and Consumption impacts of the global meat industry" and, Andrew Stuart, Environmental Activist on The Production and Consumption impacts of the Palm Oil Industry, Opening address by Ian Elgie, Chair, UNA Eastbourne.
Celebrating United Nations Human Rights Day. We invited members of the public to join us at our stand at the Arndale Centre for information on the efforts of the UN towards ensuring universal respect for human rights.
Thursday 22nd November 2018
​Panel Discussion Challenging the Threat of Environmental Destruction
This was a joint meeting of both UNA Eastbourne and the Eastbourne and District Friends of the Earth which presented the latest efforts that are being made to protect our global and local habitats. Three speakers each gave presentations on:
Global Action on the Environment
Climate Change: The Key Role of the Oceans
Local Environmental Action in Eastbourne
The evening as finished by a live performance of the theme song for Plastic Free Eastbourne campaign, "A Journey of Love", by singer-songwriter David Stopp.
UNA Bexhill & Hastings branch public talk & discussion: 'UN Peacekeeping Revisited: Does it really deserve such a Bad Press". Follow this link for details of venue and programme.
Thursday 18th October 2018
Panel discussion: "SHELTER: A Basic Human Need and Universal Human Right: Meeting a global challenge with special reference to Eastbourne."
Venue: Court Room, Eastbourne Town Hall, 1830hrs for 1900hrs start. End 2030hrs.
Speakers for the evening were :-
Mamadu Balde: Emergency Response Consultant and Programme Officer UN World Food Programme spoke about the demography of Africa and his experiences in Namibia and Uganda
Sue Hennell: Senior Advice Manager Brighton Housing Trust spoke on addressing the housing crisis in Eastbourne
Peter Thorley: Project Manager Matthew 25 Mission who spoke on addressing the homelessness crisis in Eastbourne
Questions and answers during the discussion were an important part of the programme.
​Empowerment of women, small enterprises and micro-finance: experiences in Bangladesh and Liberia
Following our AGM, Mr. Shihab Ahmed Zaman gave a presentation on his experiences working for 7 years as a field officer in community development in South Asia and West Africa. Currently Mr. Ahmed is a visiting Fellow at Coventry University sponsored by the British Council. The experiences highlighted in the presentation reflected closely the efforts of our branch's link with rural communities in eastern Uganda.