UN Program Director News and Updates 2023
The year 2023 will be a fruitful one for NGO’s and Civil Society. UN Headquarters is now once again open and we will be able to participate in special events, lectures, panels, and conferences. The UN continues to stress its respect for and reliance upon grassroots organizations who work diligently to promote UN platforms and do work on the ground.
It is worthwhile to occasionally revisit the Strategic Development Goals and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They are a constant source of education and inspiration. Our Youth Representative Program is back on track now, and I am quite impressed with the caliber of students Liz DiGiorgio (our Youth Rep mentor) has recruited. Read their essays and you will be too. As in the past, I will also be highlighting work of our WCA activist/artists and request that you submit materials to me so that I can share them here on the website. Meanwhile, the UN continues to fight for justice, climate action, and diplomacy against mounting odds worldwide. Hopefully we can all make a small but meaningful contribution to progress.
Maureen Burns-Bowie
It is worthwhile to occasionally revisit the Strategic Development Goals and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They are a constant source of education and inspiration. Our Youth Representative Program is back on track now, and I am quite impressed with the caliber of students Liz DiGiorgio (our Youth Rep mentor) has recruited. Read their essays and you will be too. As in the past, I will also be highlighting work of our WCA activist/artists and request that you submit materials to me so that I can share them here on the website. Meanwhile, the UN continues to fight for justice, climate action, and diplomacy against mounting odds worldwide. Hopefully we can all make a small but meaningful contribution to progress.
Maureen Burns-Bowie
Update #1
Youth Representatives
photo: Valerie Smosna
Liz Di Giorgio is an Associate Professor CUNY Queensborough, where she teaches painting and drawing. She has been Women's Caucus for Art/Un Program Director of United Nations Youth Representatives since 2015. In that time, Liz has found that the UN Program has broadened her students’ understanding of the world, and that it has positively impacted their artistic aspirations as well.
Liz is a painter who has exhibited her work nationally and was a recipient of two Pollock-Krasner awards.
Her work references the Luminist tradition of late 19th century American landscape painting in a manner that acknowledges our urban era. Nature, as memorialized on antique china, stands in for long gone vistas, while elongated shadows suggest the raking light of morning and early evening. The halo-like depiction of plates, cups, and bowls expresses a reverence for the concept of sustenance itself, connecting the sustenance provided by nature with the sustenance that women have provided throughout the ages. At its deepest level, her work is a tribute to a concept of sustenance that is neither defined nor limited by gender or culture.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
photo: Jin Hee Choi
My name is Jasmine Torres Ventura, and I strongly believe that I could provide a unique perspective as a Youth Representative for the Women’s Caucus for Art at the United Nations. I believe in advocating for those who don’t always find themselves in a position to advocate for themselves, especially within marginalized groups. I was raised in a very tight-knit Latino household of two immigrant parents (my father from Peru, my mother from El Salvador), who strove to give their children the life they themselves did not have, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and community among their children. This has remained ingrained in me all the way into adulthood. I strive towards always being a better version of myself while remaining true to my values as I recognize and hope that every action and choice I make moving forward in this life contributes toward a more meaningful and impactful tomorrow. This year I was finally able to participate and fundraise on behalf of the Lupus Research Alliance in the Walk with Us to Cure Lupus, alongside a wonderful community of individuals who are a part of the Hospital for Special Surgery Department of Social Work Programs – La LuCha.
There are many issues faced globally that involve climate change, sustainability, poverty, inequality, human rights, and gender equality. These global issues are important to me because regardless of one’s circumstances, people deserve quality of life, equality, access to resources such as water, food, education, technology, sanitation, and healthcare, among many other issues. From a young age I have held this growing anxiety regarding climate change, our environment, and the impact we as a society have on this planet that gives us life. One of the many pressing issues we face today is climate change. It is an undeniable truth that if change does not occur within the next decade there will be devastating effects for generations to come. As we continue to grow as a society and as demands on our environment increase alongside it, there is the need to evolve towards a more beneficial and sustainable way of living. I am hopeful. I see the power in our voices in community. I see the impact in words, actions, and movements towards the change we strive to achieve.
Poverty is a pressing global issue that affects millions of people globally who find themselves living beneath the poverty line, facing malnutrition, dehydration, limited access to basic sanitation, water supply, health care and education. Every human being relies on water for survival, yet so many individuals do not have access to safe drinking water or proper sanitation, making them more susceptible to diseases. Water should be affordable and safe for all as it is essential for our survival, yet countless people find themselves without.
Every individual is entitled to human rights without discrimination, yet we see injustices and disparities faced on account of a person’s race, background, religion, sex, or disability. We witness gender inequality, which is not limited to autonomy over one’s own body and reproductive rights, but also the pay gap between women compared to their male counterparts, the lack of equal representation in positions of power, in the workplace and under the law, and in the ability to live a life free of violence and harm. It so important to raise awareness regarding global issues as they are simply not as distant as some people wish to believe, and at any given moment anyone could find oneself facing similar hardships or circumstances. It shouldn’t take suddenly being in the shoes of another to hold empathy and compassion, and to realize every single human being is deserving of so much more than what they may be currently living with or experiencing. People deserve life, equality, and they deserve the proper tools and resources to better their own lives. They deserve advocates for change who will fight for them. We as a society deserve meaningful and real change and together it is possible. Every action has an impact. There is power in every decision being made, and we are the catalyst for change towards a more beneficial and sustainable way of living across the globe.
I believe that there is a lot more power in our voices than we give ourselves credit for, and together both in actions and words we can create the change and impact we strive towards. There is also power that you find across different forms of media. Art is such a special uniting, uplifting force that holds so much potential. To me, art acts like a bridge of connection that unites people from a multitude of places across the globe and communities in expression, thoughts, emotions, and in conveying ideas that relate to us and bring us closer in meaningful ways despite our differences. I myself have found art to have helped me navigate through challenging times. Art has a special way of touching people’s hearts and bringing them closer together. I hold admiration for the members of the Women Caucus for Art and the individuals who have created a community merging the arts, social activism, education, and dedicating themselves to the betterment of individuals across the globe while also recognizing the contribution women have made in the arts. This program is a wonderful opportunity as it allows for impactful discussion and understanding of global issues alongside the arts. I hope to engage and broaden my knowledge, communication and leadership skills while gaining more confidence in my abilities as an advocate.
photo: Jin Hee Choi
My name is Sharon Whinston, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as a Youth Representative for the Women’s Caucus for Art International Caucus at the United Nations. I look forward to attending UN briefings and writing articles about complex global issues.
I am deeply concerned about the environment, particularly wildlife, and appreciate having the opportunity to bring awareness to these crucial issues. For a long time, I have been very interested in birds. The average person may be aware of the damage that fossil fuels and coal bring to the environment, especially to birds. Of course, nothing comes without negatives, and if solar and wind power are better alternatives, people need to be aware of the harm they cause as well as the benefits.
A common sentiment in many of the articles on both solar and wind is that the number of deaths due to these energy sources is low when compared to fossil fuels. While that may be true in the current day, it’s largely because wind and solar provide only a small portion of our energy needs. As we increase our use of these sources, the number of birds that fall victim to them will rise.
Suppose we continue expanding solar/wind power production in hopes of getting them to the point of equal or better efficiency than fossil fuels. In that case, we will need to clear hundreds, if not thousands, of acres of land to develop these facilities. It is important we do not shy away from these harsh realities, even if it’s not what we want to hear.
My name is Sharon Whinston, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as a Youth Representative for the Women’s Caucus for Art International Caucus at the United Nations. I look forward to attending UN briefings and writing articles about complex global issues.
I am deeply concerned about the environment, particularly wildlife, and appreciate having the opportunity to bring awareness to these crucial issues. For a long time, I have been very interested in birds. The average person may be aware of the damage that fossil fuels and coal bring to the environment, especially to birds. Of course, nothing comes without negatives, and if solar and wind power are better alternatives, people need to be aware of the harm they cause as well as the benefits.
A common sentiment in many of the articles on both solar and wind is that the number of deaths due to these energy sources is low when compared to fossil fuels. While that may be true in the current day, it’s largely because wind and solar provide only a small portion of our energy needs. As we increase our use of these sources, the number of birds that fall victim to them will rise.
Suppose we continue expanding solar/wind power production in hopes of getting them to the point of equal or better efficiency than fossil fuels. In that case, we will need to clear hundreds, if not thousands, of acres of land to develop these facilities. It is important we do not shy away from these harsh realities, even if it’s not what we want to hear.
photo: Jin Hee Choi
My name is Yumi Kamata and I’m from Japan. I had been studying illustration for 4 years, and
I didn’t have any problem getting an education until Covid-19 happened. During the pandemic, I struggled. I had been studying alone in my room without seeing anyone. There were so many technological issues such as internet problems and running out of capacity on my laptop that made me think about the global education problem more. These struggles made me think about people who lack access to educational resources around the world. Now that I have a growing awareness of this global problem, I would like to be a UN/NGO rep for the Women's Caucus for Art and to learn more about this and other global challenges.
During the pandemic, I volunteered for the non-profit organization, Amaterasu-Za. It is an organization that educates about Japanese culture. I helped them by creating art for a set design in one of the scenes of their performances. There were many non-Japanese people in the audiences, but it seemed that the audience understood and was impressed by the performance and culture. This had a great impact on me. Through this volunteer experience, I learned that art is the best way to express ourselves, our identities and our humanity. Even without language, people can connect, sympathize, help and cooperate with each other.
During the pandemic, several human rights movements continued to grow, such as Black Lives Matter, Asian American and Pacific Islander civil rights movements and the women’s rights movement as well. Many artists stood up and expressed their identity, and these global problems got attention from all over the world, not only from people in the US. This program of the Women's Caucus for Art interests me because I would like to learn how to connect with people and how to help people through art.
Update #2
Karen Frostig at the United Nations
NY Times article on Karen:
www.nytimes.com/2023/01/27/arts/holocaust-remembrance-day-latvia.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=Arts&fbclid=IwAR3f3B2W4X7C2sZU_nPMkRP8EeEolDzN26t8qzhKfcOMzSl1NkTxkRKgIZ8
Update #3
Deborah Kruger installation "Accidentals" has been acquired by the Museum of Art and Design, New York City
These large-scale pieces and new wall reliefs are part of a recent body of work that laments the tragic ecological losses of the 21st century: the impacts of climate change on migration, extinction and dying languages. Kruger’s feathered abstract artwork is informed by fiber but made with recycled plastic bags printed with images of endangered birds. Text figures predominantly in her wall reliefs, sculpture and installations. Pattern and Decoration has influenced Kruger’s work since her textile design training at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York evidenced in her recent solo show “Plumas” at PRPG.mx contemporary gallery in Mexico City and “Avianto” which is opening in January in San Diego, CA. Kruger maintains a team-based studio in the lakeside village of Chapala, Mexico, and a studio in the vibrant art community of Durham, North Carolina.
Update #4
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY MARCH 8
In 1945, the Charter of the United Nations became the first international agreement to affirm the principle of equality between women and men. The UN celebrated its first official International Women's Day on 8 March during International Women’s Year in 1975. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions.
International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labor movements at the turn of the twentieth century across North America and Europe. The first National Woman's Day was observed in the United States on February 28 1909, which the Socialist Party of America dedicated in honor of the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York where women protested against harsh working conditions. In 1917, women in Russia chose to protest and strike under the slogan "Bread and Peace" on the last Sunday in February (which fell on 8 March on the Gregorian calendar). Their movement ultimately led to the enactment of women’s suffrage in Russia.
Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women’s movement has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in the political, social, cultural and economic arenas.
en.unesco.org
International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labor movements at the turn of the twentieth century across North America and Europe. The first National Woman's Day was observed in the United States on February 28 1909, which the Socialist Party of America dedicated in honor of the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York where women protested against harsh working conditions. In 1917, women in Russia chose to protest and strike under the slogan "Bread and Peace" on the last Sunday in February (which fell on 8 March on the Gregorian calendar). Their movement ultimately led to the enactment of women’s suffrage in Russia.
Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women’s movement has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in the political, social, cultural and economic arenas.
en.unesco.org