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| UN Secretary-General Visits JCI World Headquarters |
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During his historic visit to JCI on June 12, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called JCI and the UN “natural allies”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with the JCI World Headquarters team during his visit to the JCI World Headquarters to discuss the two organizations’ long-standing partnership and mutual goals, and to call the young active citizens of JCI to action.
“I thank you indeed for your support. I hope my visit here can help deepen our ties,” the Secretary-General said during his address to 2009 JCI President Jun Sup Shin, JCI Secretary General Edson Kodama, Missouri State Sen. Jane Cunningham, State Reps. T.D. El-Amin, Scott Dieckhaus, John Diehl, Cole McNary and Mike Leara, Chesterfield Mayor John Nations, distinguished guests and the JCI World Headquarters Team.
“As young leaders, you hold the key to solving some of the most oppressing challenges of our times,” the Secretary-General said, recognizing the efforts of JCI members worldwide who have been working toward the UN Millennium Development Goals (UN MDGs).
The Secretary-General spoke about the need to aggressively address the UN MDGs, including climate change and malaria, two key focuses of JCI through the 2009 Leadership Summit at the UN in Geneva and the JCI Nothing But Nets campaign, respectively.
“We must do all that we can to mobilize the necessary resources to meet the targets of the Millennium Development Goals by the year 2015,” the Secretary-General said. “We have only 6 years left. … We need to work together on this.”
Shin invited the Secretary-General to attend the 2009 JCI Leadership Summit this July, when JCI members will unite to take action on climate change. The Secretary-General responded that if he cannot be present, he will send either a UN official in his place or a video message of greetings.
JCI and the UN: Partnering for Positive Change
Kodama highlighted the historic partnership between JCI and the UN that continues today through the action of JCI members in 115 countries around the world.
“On behalf of our members worldwide, we are proud and honored to contribute to the work of the United Nations,” Kodama said. “We are committed to work with you to bring a better world to reach generations to come.”
As an international non-governmental organization (NGO) with active participation in the UN system, JCI has officially worked with the UN since 1954.
Through the years, these relationships have expanded to include various branches in the UN system, including the UN Global Compact, UNESCO and the UN Foundation, establishing targeting projects to magnify their collective impact.
“Your visit today, it is not only historical for JCI,” Kodama said. “More importantly; it has served to inspire us all to continue our work hand in hand with the United Nations.”
Kodama also highlighted the commitment of JCI members to join the Secretary-General in his efforts to combat climate change through the Seal the Deal initiative.
“Our members worldwide are committed to join you and the UN in this global effort by being the advocates in each of 5,000 communities JCI is present worldwide,” Kodama said.
To unite with other JCI members around the world in helping to advance UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s climate change efforts, register to attend the 2009 JCI Leadership Summit at the UN in Geneva.
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