SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN MESSAGE FOR LIONS DAY, COMMENDS CLUB’S ‘SELF-MOTIVATED

ENGAGEMENT’ TO MAKING MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN VULNERABLE PEOPLE’S LIVES

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the annual Lions Day with the United Nations, as delivered by Kiyo Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, in New York, 14 March:

Let me offer you a warm welcome on this thirtieth annual Lions Day here at the United Nations.  This is your day and this is your United Nations.

As you know, the relationship between our two organizations dates back more than 60 years.  Over the course of these many decades, the Lions Club has worked side by side with the United Nations in pursuit of our shared goals.

Today, the United Nations continues to benefit from the efforts of Lions Club members around the world who are supporting our work to prevent disease, end poverty, promote education, empower women and protect the environment.  Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable people across the world.

The United Nations is especially grateful for your tireless campaign, working with UNICEF and the World Health Organization, to prevent and reverse blindness through SightFirst.  This programme does more than just help individuals to retain their eyesight; it constitutes a vision for a world where we stop diseases before they strike.

I understand that in this International Year of Sanitation, you will mark World Environment Day by encouraging your members and clubs to consider the environmental impact of their own activities and to take part in projects aimed at bettering local communities.  This is precisely the kind of self-motivated engagement that gives real meaning to United Nations commemorations.

Today you will be hearing from a number of different speakers offering insights that I hope you can take back to the many Lions who were unable to attend.  This should be an opportunity to share ideas so that we can strengthen our partnership for the future.

Thank you all for your commitment.  And please accept my best wishes for a most productive and rewarding conference.

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For information media • not an official record