United Nations Day
Politicians and representatives of Lions Clubs throughout Great Britain and Ireland come together each year to celebrate an historic partnership between Lions and the United Nations.
"To Create and Foster a Spirit of Understanding among the People of the World"
This is a pledge which links the United Nations and Lions Clubs International.
Lions celebrate United Nations Day in countries throughout the world to renew our promises to each other and to promote our united Ethics.
The Lions of the British Isles and Ireland have four UN Days, to enable all Lions to be part of the celebrations and to hear about how some of the projects which Lions undertake to encourage these International principles.
The relationship between Lions Clubs International and the United Nations began after the end of World War II when world leaders joined together on 24th October 1945 in signing the UN Charter. In the same year, Melvin Jones, the Founder of Lions, and Past International Presidents Fred W Smith and D A Skeen were asked to help develop the non-governmental (NGO) Charter for the UN.
During the ensuing years, the two organisations have co-operated on many humanitarian ventures, with Lions providing aid and manpower for UNICEF (The United Nations Children’s Fund), WHO (the World Health Organisation) and UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) projects.
From the beginning , the relationship between Lions Clubs International and the UN has been limited to humanitarian endeavours. In keeping with its stated Purposes, Lions Clubs International has no involvement in the political or security affairs of the UN.
Since 1978, Lions Clubs International has been privileged to have a Lions Day with the United Nations at the UN HQ in New York, the only International Service Organisation to be afforded this privilege.
Within our Multiple District, a Lions Day with the United Nations has also been held each March since 1994 and since 2000, it has been held in the Houses of Parliament in London. Similar gatherings are held in Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
United Nations Day
England
2020
Tuesday 10th March 2020 |
Palace of Westminster |
House of Commons |
Westminster |
WC1 |
This years event will be sponsored by
Lion Alec Shelbrooke MP
Member for Elmet and Rothwell
All Lions in the Multiple District can attend these days (subject to a maximum number for logistical purposes) when the representatives of the UN, Government Ministers and Members of Parliament are briefed on the various projects which are being undertaken.
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