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Dear UNA-USA San Francisco Friends,

We are pleased to welcome you with warm greetings for the New Year and New Decade! Thank you for your support for the United Nations Association of USA, San Francisco Chapter.

We begin the New Year with an expanded Board of Directors and exciting agenda of programs and activities for 2010, highlighting the United Nations conventions and agenda, an upgraded communication system, enhanced global education, and a special commemoration of the United Nation’s 65th anniversary.

Our Young Professionals International Cooperation (YPIC) program is advancing under new leadership, providing on-going dialogues and networking opportunities specifically designed for those age 20-40. We are partnering with Model UN groups and UN Clubs, visiting universities and institutions of higher learning with the UN Academic Impact Program, and seeing an increase in high-school student participation through our annual UNA Essay Contest on the Millennium Development Goals.

We are excited about our upcoming programs for 2010, including March 8th UN International Women’s Day, UNA-SF Peace Symposium in May co-sponsored with the Rotary Club, September 21st UN International Day of Peace, and October 24th when we celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the signing of the United Nations charter on UN Day! In addition, throughout the year we will host cultural outings and dynamic speakers for our members and the public.

Please visit our website UNA-SF.org <http://www.UNA-SF.org> as it is becoming a vast resource for UN and UNA information on global initiatives, our related community activities, and discussions and comments from YOU, our members and friends!

ADVOCACY: THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

Currently, one of our important international projects is supporting the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Having recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary, the ICC is the world's first and only permanent international tribunal for genocide and crimes against humanity. The International Criminal Court is vital and indispensable to punishing, deterring, and ending impunity for the world's most heinous crimes. The US must support and participate in the ICC's work, and may do so even without ratifying the Court's Rome Statute.

Last November we asked you to urge President Obama to send a United States delegation to a critical meeting of the ICC's governing assembly. Letters from UNA-USA members flooded Washington and, in a dramatic reversal of the past eight years, the US returned to The Hague, welcomed by over one hundred other nations. While this is a major victory in the campaign for the ICC, there is still work to be done!

This spring, the US will attend the ICC Review Conference, a unique and important opportunity to further a relationship of cooperation with the Court. However, without clear instructions based on an official policy towards the ICC, there is a real danger the US could jeopardize this opportunity.

Please help us thank President Obama for his leadership in international justice, and ask him to ensure the US participates effectively in the Review Conference with a constructive US policy toward the International Criminal Court!

YOUR VOICE WILL SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE! Use this link to send an electronic letter and tell President Obama that time is running out! <http://capwiz.com/unausa/utr/1/NCKGLYRYUC/LPVMLYRZIG/4611521726>

UNA-SF COURIER NEWSLETTER

By now you have received the Winter edition of our UNA-SF Courier newsletter. In order to conserve resources, this issue and all future editions will be posted on our website. The on-line Courier will include additional articles and features not available in the printed version.

** We will print a smaller number of Courier newsletters. Please let us know if you can read it on-line, or if you would like to continue receiving your Courier copy in the mail, which is included FREE with your membership to UNA-SF. Our contact information is below. **

LOOKING AHEAD

One of the most important issues the United Nations will address this spring is the UN Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Conference, scheduled for late-May and early-June 2010 in New York. The United Nations Association-USA and UNA-San Francisco Chapter will work to keep you informed about the preparation and progress needed for the successful outcome that our planet deserves.

Your interest in global affairs and the United Nations will contribute to UNA-SF’s success as we tackle key programs including the UN Millennium Development Goals, Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Nuclear Disarmament, the environment, social and economic justice, and ongoing peace efforts.

No matter what your favorite cause or issue might be, YOU have a home with the UNA-SF!

We are all in this world together. Never before has it been so apparent that the future of our planet requires every one of us! By blending our unique talents and abilities we will have unified strength to address global concerns at the local level. I urge you to participate in our UNA-SF organization and look forward to seeing you often in the year ahead.

Thank you for your time. Please contact me directly if you have any comments or concerns and I will be happy to assist you.

Warmest Wishes on behalf of our entire Board of Directors!

Susan J. Zipp, President
UNA-USA San Francisco