From UNWA CHAIRPERSON September Newsletter 2014 Dear all members, We at UNWA have had a very busy and exciting month since our last GM at the Thai conference room at WHO on August. 29th. we again would like to thank the staff at WHO for giving us the star treatment and our special guest, Ms Saroja Khanna former editor of Delhi Dairy.

This month on September 8th, the UN Celebrated International Literacy Day and in this regard for our current GM we have organized a panel discussion on Literacy and Sustainable Development

On September 5th we celebrated Teachers Day and acknowledged our KG teachers with a sizeable membership turnout and flowers to mark the occasion. The kids were treated to a snack and juices courtesy one of our members, Dushleen Bawa and they showed off their

completed uniforms and lined up with their new shoes. We were also able to verify that we are continuing to provide the kids with clean toilet facilities and our teachers’ upkeep the basics of hygiene. On KG activities: - We renewed the contracts of our teachers and assistants and regularized a system for their pension payments. - Our KG Principal has started documenting past pupil information and we look forward to a sizeable sample for conducting this past pupil survey as part of our 50-year celebration. Any interested members in assisting us in development of the survey questionnaire, conducting and compiling the information, kindly contact our KG coordinator Chetna at UNWAKindergarten@gmail.com UNWA outreach activities: - On September 3rd, we met Representative of UN Women Dr Rebecca Tavares. We agreed to collaborate on matters mutually relevant. It is to be noted that a number of UN Women staff have applied for membership to UNWA.

- UNWA continued its collaboration with WHO and will finalize printing facilities that would be on offer through this agency - With UNICEF, we are having discussions and are hoping to finalize the provision of a small office at their premises. We at UNWA are very

excited with these prospects as this will facilitate the storage and easy access of our important legal and bank documents, and allow us to hold small executive committee meetings, especially for conducting our survey and planning our Charity Ball. - UNWG in New York through their Overseas Liaison Officer, Afsanef Fartash has made contact with us and would like to be kept abreast of our new executive committee team, general member activities and KG activities. They have also expressed interest in our 50-year celebrations, and in particular our past pupil survey. - UNWA has contacted the President of SHOM (Spouses of Heads of Missions) Ms Natalie Daalder in an effort to formalize our relationship, which has spanned over more than a decade in assisting us to host our House and Garden Series. They have been gracious and have been invited us to make a small presentation to their members at their November meeting. Forthcoming Events 2014 – 2015 October October 1st Mini Jumble Sale at Residence of Sarah Chalmers on our Programs Committee, contact at UNWAPrograms@gmail.com October 14th KG Diwali Party October 30th General Meeting at UNDP Conference room, where we would be celebrating UN Day, this would be followed by our Diwali Lunch at the same premises. For further information contact our Hospitality Coordinator, Rajen at UNWAHospitality@gmail.com November November 8th One of two possible days for our KG Health check up November (date to be announced) In recognition of World Toilet Day, we are trying to organize a "Walk- to-the-toilet". Several routes and clearances are being worked out in order to finalize this event.

November 19th KG Parents Workshop December KG Christmas Party UNWA Christmas Party at the Residence of our Honorary President Ms. Preeti Chandra, Chattar Pur, Mahrauli Rd.. January 2015 UNWA would be celebrating World Culture Day January 20th-22nd KG AES School Exchange February 2015 Our Annual Jumble sale would be scheduled for this month. We are accepting your clean and sorted Jumble and you may contact Chetna at UNWAKindergarten@gmail.com World Cancer Day Celebration February 4th In February (date to be finalized) UNWA members will pay a courtesy call to the President of India at the Rashtpati Bhawan March 2015 March 8th – International Women’s’ Day March 14th KG Arts & Crafts Exhibition March 24th KG Graduation This is the month for our Charity Ball and we are pleased that we have assembled a Ball Committee to organize and plan. If you would like to get involved, kindly contact Alka at UNWAVicechair@gmail.com Best Regards Charmaine Bartsch UNWAChair@gmail.com

Vice-chair Reports- The year 2014-2015 of UNWA is special. We are celebrating half a century of our association in India. Time to celebrate UNWA ‘s humble but remarkable achievements in Delhi. The UNWA year started with August Month Welcome Coffee Morning where our special guest Ms Saroja Khanna ,who has edited “Delhi Dairy” the well know weekly guide to the capital’s cultural landscape for nearly twenty years, gave a very interesting account of India’s 3,000 years of eventful history and today’s vibrant and rapidly evolving modernism. Ms Khanna, enlightened the membership with detailed information on India Gate and its palatial mentions and palaces circling it in reference to Delhi Durbar. In September, UNWA Celebrates International Literacy Day. To mark the occasion ,a panel discussion has been organized. Our panelists are HE the Ambassador of Slovenia to India Mrs Darja Kuret and Prof (Dr) Rama Patnayk. The Theme of this yr’s UNESCO Day is ‘Literacy and Sustainable Development”.

Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. Educational opportunities depend on literacy. Literacy is one of the key elements needed to promote sustainable development, as it empowers people so that they can make the right decisions in the areas of economic growth, social development and environm--ental integration. Literacy skills developed from a basic to advanced level throughout life are part of broader competencies required for critical thinking, the sense of responsibility, participatory governance, sustainable consumption lifestyles, and disaster risk reduction.

Some 781 million persons today still cannot read a single sentence – two thirds are women.

In October,UNWA is organizing a special event to mark the occasion of UN Day. On 24th October in 1945, the UN was established. The Resident Representative of the UN System in India, Ms Lise Grande has accepted to be our main speaker for that. To mark the occasion and to celebrate Diwali “UN –DIWALI LUNCH’ is being organized and will be hosted by UNWA just after our GM. We are thankful to UNDP for extending their support and assistance to make this event possible.

In November, UNWA is getting ready for World Toilet Day,we are trying to organize a "Walk- to-the-toilet”. Details are being worked out.