Upcoming Chapter Meetings

Chapter Meetings are held at 5:30 pm at Porter Hall, Pilgrim Place
601 Mayflower, one block West of Indian Hill, at the end of 6th St. in Claremont, CA

TUESDAY, MAY 21

A Conversation with Bertil Lindblad,
Senior Adviser for International Initiatives

We have asked Bertil Lindblad to repeat his presentation from April 18 at Pomona College (see below) on the United Nations as an instrument for global development, health and human rights" for our Pilgrim Place Chapter meeting.

Short business meeting precedes the presentation. Refreshments served.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION AT POMONA COLLEGE - Bertil Lindblad

April 18, 2013 "The United Nations as an instrument for global development, health and human rights" A Conversation with Bertil Lindblad, Senior Adviser for International Initiatives Bertil Lindblad joined Pomona College in March following 18 years as a senior official of the United Nations, including assignments with UNICEF and UNAIDS. Hosted by PVUNA and held at Pomona College, Lindblad spoke on human rights and UN agencies to over 30 attendees.

Spring chapter intern Nur Lalji, Pomona College Senior Advisor Bertil Lindblad, and fall chapter intern Leyth Swidan gather after the event.

April Chapter Meeting - Refugees from Syria

The April 16 meeting of our chapter of the UNA-USA featured Mrs. Hanadi Alwan and daughter Leyla of the Syrian American Council who have recently visited Syria. They discussed the plight of the Syrian people and the humanitarian help that is direly needed.They shared photos they have taken and facilitated a Q & A session. You can help. To feed a family of three for a month is only $30! Visit the website of the SAC and contribute online

Hanadi and Leyla Alwan

March 28, 2013: "Arms Trade Treaty" letter-to-the-editor by Nur Aliza Laljb, PVUNA Intern

Dear Editor,

Final negotiations over a first ever UN international arms trade treaty began one week ago—a huge first step in regulating the global industry. On Saturday, March 23rd, however, the Senate voted on and passed an amendment to keep the United States out of the treaty.

For years, the United States of America has been the biggest arms dealer in the industry and it is of utmost importance that they be a part of the treaty. The UN should work to negotiate a suitable compromise that does not jeopardize the sovereignty of American citizens (or citizens of any nation, for that matter) or their second amendment rights, while still remaining faithful to the basic premise of the treaty.

According to an article published in the New American, the two points of contention within the treaty are that: it would mean the creation of a registry of gun owners, manufacturers, and traders; it would also make it “nearly impossible” for civilians to purchase ammunition.

. . . .Read Nur Aliza Laljb' complete letter-to-the-editor

At the February 19, 2013 meeting of the PVUNA, Ardi Rashidi led a group from the Kurdish American Information Society (KAES) Education Committee who presented to the UNA-USA members a program on the latest developments in the Middle East, particularly events affecting Kurdistan.

Ardi, a member of our UNA-USA Directors, was president of the Pomona Valley Chapter UNA, Southern California Division UNA and heavily involved in the recent merger of UNA-USA with the Better World Foundation led the group presenting a program on the latest developments in the Middle East, particularly events affecting Kurdistan.

Eastern Kurdistan: Mr. Hiwa Nezhadian addressed the Human Rights situation in the region and the recent alliance of the Kurdish Democratic forces to promote and advocate the rights of Kurds in Eastern Kurdistan.

Southern Kurdistan: Mr. Sardar Zuhdi addressed the social and economic progress made in the region and will urge the United Nations to peacefully resolve the status of the disputed territories without resort to arm conflict.

Northern Kurdistan: Mr. Luqman Barwari addressed on the advance of meetings and talks between the Kurdish leadership with their Turkish counterparts to resolve the Kurdish issue peacefully in Turkey.

Western Kurdistan: Dr. Amir Sharifi presented the plight of the Kurds in Syria and that country’s bleak hope for survival without ending the deep, chronic and gross violation of rights of all its citizens and recognition of the full autonomy for the Kurdish population in Western Kurdistan.

More information on the Kurdish American Situation

A couple of photos from the Pomona Valley UNA Annual Meeting & Potluck - January 27, 2013

PVUNA Student Intern Nur Lalji	Prof. P. Edward Haley, Speaker Claremont McKenna College Professor
Laura Giroux, UNA-USA National Membership Director and Mel Boynton, SoCal Division President	Prof. Haley presented an up-to-date assessment of "The Arab Uprisings"
Enjoying our speaker after the wonderful potluck!

Veterinary Professor and parasitologist Dr. Malika Kachani recognized on international stage

Update on our Pomona Valley UNA member Dr. Malika Kachani

Pomona, Calif. - 01/14/2013 -- Veterinary Professor and parasitologist Dr. Malika Kachani has been recognized on an international stage through several invitations to participate in the following:

She was invited by the World Health Organization to attend the Extraordinary Session of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group Meeting on Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG NTD) on Oct. 9, 2012 at the headquarters of the World Health Organization. The objective of the meeting was to reach a consensus on the STAG NTD report, to scorecard for monitoring progress on preventive chemotherapy and to prepare a UN resolution for the Executive Board and for the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of WHO. All expenses were covered by WHO.

She was invited by the CDC to evaluate the Rabies Control program of the CDC in the USA and at the global level, on Oct. 29-30, 2012. She was a member of an international evaluation committee of six international experts.

On Nov. 21, she was invited by the WHO to be a member of their list of experts on zoonotic diseases. Being a member of this list is an honor, and the experts are tasked to share their expertise and knowledge with the WHO and inform them on important facts and progress that took place in their area of expertise. She was invited by the USDA to attend the Veterinary Laboratory Diagnostic Course on Foreign Animal Diseases in Plum Island, on Dec 3-7. The USDA invited faculty that are involved in the Accreditation Program and teach Global Health in all veterinary schools in the USA and they covered the expenses associated with the course. This gave her an excellent opportunity to improve her Global Animal Health course.

News source: Western University of Health Sciences

Library Display by Katie Gerecke featured at October 16, 2012 Meeting.

	POMONA VALLEY CHAPTER CLAREMONT LIBRARY DISPLAY   Katie Gerecke's beautiful Claremont Library Display was showcased at the Octoher 16th Chapter Meeting held in the Claremont Library Meeting Room. We were informed that Katie Gerecke, president of our chapter, was stepping down as president due to the lengthly recovery time expected for the fall she experienced in October. Members wished her a speedy recovery and thanked her for all she has doen for our chapter. Art Sutton, vice-president, will assume the duties of president. Stephanie Micham, our chapter student intern; Mel Boynton, division president; and Art Sutton, now presient of chapter joined in a panel discussion of “How the United Nations benefits the United States”
Stephanie Micham, Student Intern	Art Sutton, President