DAY-LONG EVENT AT HEADQUARTERS TODAY SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN UNITED NATIONS AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY

Note to Correspondents

DAY-LONG EVENT AT HEADQUARTERS TODAY SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN TIES

BETWEEN UNITED NATIONS AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY

As part of an initiative by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to strengthen ties with key civil society groups, a programme for representatives of the African-American community will take place at United Nations Headquarters today.

Representing nearly 80 organizations –- civic, fraternal, religious and other non-governmental organizations, universities, the media, and state and local government –- those attending will take part in a day-long series of briefings, including an overview of the work of the United Nations, particularly in Africa, the Millennium Development Goals, the Global Compact, and the role of civil society.  They will also be guests at a luncheon hosted by the Secretary-General, to be held in the Delegates Dining Room.  In addition to remarks by the Secretary-General, the Reverend Calvin Butts III, Pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, will offer a response on behalf of the group.

At the conclusion of the day’s programme, participants will be offered a guided tour of Headquarters.  In addition, they will be able to visit the exhibition mounted in honour of the Ralph Bunche centenary, which has just been installed in the Visitor’s Lobby.

This day-long event is being organized by the Department of Public Information, with the support of the Better World Fund and The People Program.  Assisting the United Nations in this endeavour are Ambassador Robin Chandler Duke, and the Co-Directors of The People Program, Edward Palmer, Senior Fellow at the University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs, and Alice Palmer, Special Assistant to the Executive Director of University Relations, University of Illinois.

For further information, please contact the DPI Group Programmes Unit, tel.:  212-963-7710.

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