1981 JCI President Gary Nagao visited UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim
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To commemorate UN Day on October 24, we’re remembering the roots of our partnership with the UN that dates back to 1954.
JCI and the UN have a long history of partnership. Through partnerships with the UN Global Compact, the UN Foundation and UNESCO, members magnify their impact around the world through aligned interests. Today, JCI Members work towards the UN Millennium Development Goals across the globe locally and have the opportunity to discuss crucial topics of the day at JCI Leadership Summits at the UN. Read on to see how these relationships have developed through the years.
1954: A Strong Beginning
Since 1954, JCI has enjoyed a Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress. ECOSOC identifies solutions to international economic, social and health problems, facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In 1977, UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim expressed his appreciation to JCI for supporting the activities of the UN. “I wish to take this opportunity to commend JCI for the outstanding contribution they have made to advance the goals of international understanding and cooperation,” said Waldheim. “I know that we will be able to count on your continued support in the years ahead.” Then in 1987, UN Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar recognized JCI as a “Peace Messenger” for its contributions to the International Year of Peace in 1986.
1996: Promoting Cooperation
UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and JCI established working operational relations in 1996. JCI contributes to achieve UNESCO's goal of promoting cooperation among its 193 Member States and six Associate Members in the fields of education, science, culture and communication.
In 2002, JCI continued in the spirit of cooperation by signing an agreement with Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization (WHO) in order to support activities of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) Initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean.
2003: Committing to the UN Millennium Development Goals (UN MDGs)
At the 2003 JCI Leadership Summit at the UN, JCI Members committed to advance the UN Millennium Development Goals (UN MDGs), which seek to accelerate human development, achieve universal equality and attain a more peaceful world by 2015.
2008: Advancing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Combating Malaria
In 2008, JCI passed a Commitment to Action to Advance CSR Through the UN Global Compact, and the 2008 JCI Leadership Summit at the UN focused on the topic of CSR.
Based on the Commitment to Action, on January 9, 2008, the UN Global Compact and JCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Under this agreement, the UN Global Compact committed to promoting cooperation between its Local Networks and JCI National Organizations. Also JCI Local and National Organizations and UN Global Compact Local Networks are encouraged to work together.
Also in 2008, JCI partnered with the UN Foundation to form JCI Nothing But Nets, a worldwide campaign to distribute insecticide-treated nets in Africa to combat malaria. JCI Members are working together across the globe to raise one million nets at $10 each by 2015.
2009: Developing Training Programs and a Visit from the UN Secretary-General
In 2009, JCI and UNESCO signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to develop youth-focused training programs. JCI will develop capacity-building training courses for UNESCO to empower 15- to 20-year-olds who lack opportunities in their lives. JCI Trainers will have the opportunity to build their skills by giving these courses at regional and local UNESCO events, including the UNESCO Youth Regional Forums, in addition to JCI events.
In June 2009, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with the JCI World Headquarters team during his historic visit to the JCI World Headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The Secretary-General discussed the two organizations’ long-standing partnership and mutual goals, and called the young active citizens of JCI to action.
“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.
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.
At World Congress, connect with our UN partners. And don’t forget to save a life before World Congress by donating to the Countdown to Congress Challenge. View the video.
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