Program coordination and community event

During the past 15 years, I was part of the United Nations Association of USA. We planned, organized, coordinated many programs. As a program coordinator of many NGOs, I was honored to be part of amazing teams in the advancement of people's human rights. Following is only part of what I did. I will be adding some others. 

 https://una-socal.org/news/san-fernando-valley-una-partners-with-un-women-la-chapter/

San Fernando Valley UNA- USA Partners

with UNWomen USNC, LA Chapter



UNA-USA SFV, Board members ;Ginny Hatfield and Thanh Le, UNWomen LA Summit, June 22nd, 2019, Santa Monica
Belonging and Displacement: Uniting Heads, Hearts & Hands was the topic of the 2019 annual assembly adopted by UNWomen USNC, LA Chapter.
UNA-USA SFV was one of many community partners that helped sponsor the event and shared information relating to the work undertaken by our members to educate the public about the Sustainable Development Goals.
In excess of 250 persons attended the daylong event at the Santa Monica Woman’s Club, which consisted of networking, plenary sessions and a panel discussion.
Dr. Soraya Fallah, one of our UNA chapter’s board member, was part of the panel along with Alisa Orduña, Senior Advisor on Homelessness for the City of Santa Monica, Set Hernandez Rongkilyo, an undocumented immigrant filmmaker and community organizer, Cynthia Buiza is the Executive Director of the California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) , and  Chanel Smith Director, DV Policy and Vulnerable Populations to the LA Mayor’s Office of Public Safety.
It was an exciting and informative day and filled with energy that was palpable. Young women and some men eager to learn what they could do to make the world a more just and better place for all.

UNWomen USNC La Chapter, Panel Discussion, June 22, 2019 Santa Monica

Our page
 https://una-socal.org/programs/
https://una-socal.org/san-fernando-valley/

https://una-socal.org/san-fernando-valley/dr-soraya-fallah/

Our Videos in our youtub channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY1UW_dQ3qs-MlYocntISyg/featured

Human Rights Day,Dec 10- UNA-SFV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lte8uATVRsg

Dr. Wendy Murawski presentation on Disability Rights for UNA-SFV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kfIKg3VU9Y


Immigrant Rights: Human Rights Close to Home:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=HMJtVBrvNtw

UNAUSA -Jane Roberts, International Women's Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9G78P7iMl8

Our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/UnaUsaSanFernandoValleyChapter/?ref=settings

=======================================================================



Oct 21, UNAUSA-SFV chapter celebration of the United Nation Day which is Oct 24.’ UNAUSA-SFV chapter invited Los Angeles immigration attorney, Carl Shusterman, as our guest speaker, he is talking about:
Immigrant Rights: Human Rights Close to Home
Thanks to the North Hollywood Regional Library For cosponsoring our even


 Oct 2018 event
https://youtu.be/HMJtVBrvNtw












-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Team meeting

Thank you our members and supporters for attending the special screening of "Salam Neighbor" organized by UNA-USA San Fernando Valley Chapter and the Office of Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian. — at Los Angeles Valley College.



 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Thursday, April 9, 2015,UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION, USA-SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CHAPTER in partnership with The American Association of University Women held a successful program on Kurdish women .The program was held in North Hollywood called Tales of Heroism and Heartache,The Kurdish Women's Battle against ISIS in Kobani. Dr. Amir Sharifi professor of CSLB and president of the Kurdish American Education Society Los Angeles covered the topic with a scholarly presentation. Dr.Sharifi received recognition as a speaker from UNAUSA-SFVC
Here is abstract of his talk: The world watched with great anxiety and hopelessness the ISIS-led assault on Kobani from September 13, 2014 through January 27, 2015. Threatened with the genocidal campaigns of ISIS, the world could not help but admire the resilient women fighters whose participation in the struggle helped break the brutal siege of the city.
This special presentation, led by Professor Sharifi, will focus on the personal histories and stories of these Kurdish women fighters. Their lives and stories will be revealed as well as their political struggles and hopes through narrative excerpts, reports, and video clips. These women have transformed their role in society by immersing themselves in this political struggle, thereby taking the first steps toward achieving gender equality. Many of these brave women lost their lives in the bitter and bloody war against the ISIS; their impassioned voices will continue to reverberate throughout the continuing struggle of Kurdish women in the shifting political landscape of the Middle East.

No automatic alt text available.

http://www.sfv.una-socal.org/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1497206593913248/









By some accounts, Iran is the most misunderstood country in the world. So many Americans presume that Iran is a backward nation, probably filled with poverty, illiteracy, ignorance and sadness, where the population is subjugated by a government that is restricting all their behaviors. This is a biased and prejudiced misrepresentation of the values of the Iranian citizenry.

Is Iran a Muslim country? Do Iranians speak Arabic? What are the major ethnicities in Iran? What are the differences between Iran and other Muslim countries? What are the other facts of today’s contemporary Iran? Her speech is purposed to clarify some of the world’s common misconceptions about Iran and present a short depiction of modern Iran--a country with an impressive history, with so many contributions to world civilization. Through the context of the history, her talk will addresses some demographic facts such as the religion, the education level, the youthful age of the society, and the social roles of women in today’s economy, She will discuss the practice of hijab, which is the accepted outfit worn in public by women in Iran.

She will also discuss the perception that Iranians are hostile to Americans and the role of the Internet on the younger generation’s awareness. Iran is a country with a large youthful population, who are well-educated and at the brink of a “precipice of huge change.” A country in which the majority has a modern value system, has no animosity to other nations, and loves global peace.

Lastly, the speaker will give some insights regarding the tourism in Iran, which has been her career for many years, and some facts about the UN Development Program projects (UNDP) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization projects (UNESCO).

Speaker’s name: Mrs Elnaz Aslanian
Background: Born in Tehran on September 16, 1985 to a middle class family. In 2002, at the age of 18, studied her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in Cyprus. In 2006, pursued her Master’s degree in Scotland, and acquired a MS in Business Administration. In 2007, returned to Iran and started her career at a family owned travel agency and since then has been one of the female leaders in attracting tourists to Iran.

FREE ADMISSION
Light refreshments will be served. Friends and family are welcome.

Ok to show up at the door but we would prefer RSVP because of seating.
For RSVP directions or information contact Ginny Hatfield at ginnyvmh@aol.com or 818-970-4577











---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tales of Heroism and Heartache,
The Kurdish Women's Battle  against ISIS in Kobani


UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION, USA
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CHAPTER
in partnership with
The American Association of University Women, SFV Branch

Invite you to join us for
Tales of Heroism and Heartache,
The Kurdish Women's Battle  against ISIS in Kobani
Special Presentation by Professor Amir Sharifi
President of the Kurdish American Education Society Los Angeles


Thursday, April 9, 2015
7:00PM to 9:00PM
North Hollywood Fire Station 89 – Community Room
(at the far end of the parking lot)
7063 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91605
FREE ADMISSION.
  
Light refreshments will be served. Friends and family are welcome.
For directions, information or to RSVP contact Ginny Hatfield at ginnyvmh@aol.com or 818-970-4577
SEE FLYER ATTACHED

Victory sign from this brave women

The world watched with great anxiety and hopelessness the ISIS-led assault on Kobani from September 13, 2014 through January 27, 2015. Threatened with the genocidal campaigns of ISIS, the world could not help but admire the resilient women fighters whose participation in the struggle helped break the brutal siege of the city.
This special presentation, led by Professor Sharifi, will focus on the personal histories and stories of these Kurdish women fighters. Their lives and stories will be revealed as well as their political struggles and hopes through narrative excerpts, reports, and video clips. These women have transformed their role in society by immersing themselves in this political struggle, thereby taking the first steps toward achieving gender equality. Many of these brave women lost their lives in the bitter and bloody war against the ISIS; their impassioned voices will continue to reverberate throughout the continuing struggle of Kurdish women in the shifting political landscape of the Middle East.

Professor Sharifi is a lecturer of Linguistics at California State University, Long Beach and the President of Kurdish American Education Society, Los Angeles.  In addition to publications in the areas of his specialization, he has written numerous articles on central issues of Kurdish human rights including gender and linguistic discrimination







Please join us for

“Climate Change: Real Solutions”

with Bill Miller, Global Solutions TV Host

interviewing

Felix  Dodds—Global Research Institute faculty at University of North Carolina

Dodds is the author of 10 books on the United Nations and an expert on sustainable development and climate change. He is a 20-year veteran of the international earth summits.

Los Angeles Fire Department Station 89, Community Room

7063 Laurel Canyon Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91605


 Monday, July 21, 2014

7:00 PM —9:00 PM

__________________________________________________________________

This free event is sponsored by UNA-USA SFV for members and the public at large and is part of our commitment to promote public awareness of the Millennium Development Goals.  

                          We will be screening the Miller/Dodds interview followed by an audience Q & A.

_____________________________________________________________________________________


Please RSVP to:  Ginny Hatfield at ginnyvmh@aol.com or (818) 970-4577                                    or David Tuckman, at uclacool7@gmail.com (818) 414-1637



About UNA-USA:





The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a membership organization dedicated to inform, inspire, and mobilize the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. For 70 years UNA-USA has worked to accomplish its mission through its national network of Chapters, youth engagement, advocacy efforts, education programs, and public events. UNA-USA is a program of the United Nations Foundation. UNA-USA and its sister organization the Better World Campaign represent the single largest network of advocates and supporters of the United Nations in the world. Learn more about UNA-USA’s programs and initiatives at www.unausa.org.




FREE PARKING at the Fire Station.
 Pull in and park in front of the community center.
globalwarming_image1.jpg





















5/12/2014 discussion and board meeting: Opening discussion on Middle East, Middle East conference on Jun 2014,Family issue,women's status in Middle East by Soraya Fallah
all other issues related to the chapter were discussed.

 

 

 

 

 

=====================================================================================

http://www.sfv.una-socal.org/

Women's Conference in Turkey on Gender Discrimination - by Soraya Fallah

Conference 2013
The First Middle Eastern Women’s Conference on Gender Discrimination, Women's Role in Recent Political Changes, Problems and Possible Solutions in the Middle East 
By Soraya Fallah
On May 31st to June 3rd, 2013
The First Middle Eastern Women’s Conference was held by DÖKH (Democratic Free Women Movement) in Diyarbakir (Amed) in Southeastern Turkey.  It was attended by more than 250 women from 27 states and non-state nations primarily from the Middle East, North Africa and some observers from South Asia. 
We all gathered in Diyarbakir (Amed) under the slogan Women, Life, Freedom, (in Kurdish: Jin, Jyan, Azadi) to mobilize the blooming women’s democratic movements in the region and to strengthen the existing organizations already working tirelessly towards equality. We held various educational discussions concerning the common struggles facing women in the Middle East. We exchanged constructive ideas regarding ways to strengthen the current women’s resistance movements within local communities. We established relationships across states to form larger regional collaborations that might help create resistance movements encompassing the entire Middle East.
Women who attended this conference were politicians, academics, and activists. They were mostly representatives of political parties, national organizations, women’s organizations, civil society organizations, and journalists from regions and countries such as Afghanistn, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, all Kurdish regions (Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey and diaspora), Libya, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yemen.
Many great renowned women were in attendance. I was honored to meet them and have an opportunity to share this conference with them. I will mention a few such as: Layla Zana, Kurdish politician, parliamentarian, and several times noble peace prize nominee and recipient of several major awards was present at this conference.
Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Laureates, was invited to this conference as well. She was not able to attend due to another conference in Brussels, but sent a message of solidarity. I was honored to deliver the message on her behalf on Sunday June 2nd. She recognized the conference as progress and wrote eloquently on the importance of human rights and democracy.
Unfortunately due to security reasons Kurdish women from within Iran and Syria were not able to attend. The Kurdish women from inside of Iran who were in attendance are currently living in diaspora.
The media was present but not limited to traditional forms of media such as TV networks. The conference was highly technologically equipped, which allowed attendees to live broadcast, tweet or send their speeches across social media within minutes.
There were several days of back-to-back sessions covering various topics from history to more effective forms of activism. Each session included expert speakers and question and answer sections. The first day of the conference was on the Construction of Social History and Social Sexism based on Women in Middle East. Some of the topics discussed were:
-Women history in Middle East
- Construction of sexism in the Middle East
- The process of colonization and nationalism in the Middle East
- Oppressive systems of power and political Islamic approach to women
The second and third days were called “Experience Sharing” where the main idea was that women are the owners of different cultures, beliefs, and experiences and can fight against the problems stemming from a patriarchal mindset.
The role of Women’s Movements Experience and Recent political changes in the Middle East were the main focus of discussion.  Academics and activists spoke and shared their expertise on various topics related to: 
- The role of women in the process of revolution resistance in the Middle East and their quest for freedom
- Political structures during changing process against women rights and women struggle against the structures
- Middle East women’s rights, civil, political expression in public life, participation in decision-making and the issues of representation
Some other topics of note were:
- Stoning to death in the Middle East, parenting rights, polygamy, circumcision, home confinement, child marriages - The neo-liberal policies of capitalist modernity against women
- Common problems of women’s movements battle in the Middle East and solutions
Women’s geographic and social similarities with
- Common organization models,
- Structural problems (alienation, miscommunication, and so on)
- Building and Strengthening women struggle and solidarity development ties
- Discussing how should a democratic society model based on women can be created
I can say that more than 80 participants had a chance to speak on behalf of either their delegates or themselves and deliberated on these topics. And 30 others talked during questions and answer. Women talked about their experiences and their struggles. Overall this was a very interactive conference and the majority of the attendees stayed engaged throughout the conference with a high turn out every session. The organizers were great at keeping everyone informed regarding the schedule.
Unfortunately an Israeli delegation was not in attendance. From the discussions the Palestinian and some of the Egyptian women would boycott the conference if they were to be invited. One of the members of the organizing committee said that they had invited one woman from Israel but she could not attend.
It is very important to have a representative from all the Middle Eastern nations and non-state people. Since it was claimed that this is non-governmental non-discriminatory conference for women in the Middle East it is important to be inclusive and promote peace in the region.
My  topic was originally on “ Political and Civil Participation and the Arab Awaking; Kurdish Women’s case” but due to the interest of time (I only had 10 minutes) I cut it down to “Kurdish Women from Iran and Their Political Participation.” This was a topic that the other women had not covered yet.
In my short speech I pointed out that Kurdish women have always significantly participated in politics through resistance.  The growing population of women in political parties proves their involvement. Whether these women’s motivation is to fight patriarchy or political oppression, they are aware that their participation in political activities empowers them.
Part of The Final Declaration that aims joint struggle and international solidarity among the women from the Middle East, North Africa and Arab Countries has an historical importance in terms of its function for being a road map for the upcoming years. We are the 250 women from 27 countries who are in opposition to repression, colonialist regimes, occupations, neo-liberal politics and racism came together and shared their experiences with the occasion of the 1st Middle East Women's Conference between 31 May - 2 June 2013 in Amed.  We have discussed recent political developments as well as women's struggle for equity and freedom.
As the conference delegation we thanked the Democratic Free Women’s Movement for bringing us together. We salute the Union of Free Women of Kurdistan which provides an opportunity for revolutionary change for the freedom struggle of women. We perceive this conference as a result of Kurdish Women' struggle.
We are going through a historic and important process. The Middle East and North Africa are living a conversion and restructuring process. This critical process means an opportunity and risk, as well, for women.   As Middle Eastern countries get more freedom in their areas we are hoping that the women of those countries will also get more liberties to pursue their dreams for themselves and their daughters.  This is especially true in the need for women to become literate and to get a better education.  I am hoping that we declare more summit conferences where we can follow-up on Middle Eastern women’s accomplishments and we can analyze what still needs to be done.
Our conference is a new political ground for women and promises hope to internationally struggle against tyrants, dictators and male-dominant system. We must sustain a better life for the Middle Eastern region and to strengthen the ground is up to us.
We as women trust ourselves and say that the peace will come to these lands by the women.
For complete section on the declaration please read the interview: 
http://www.vokradio.com/content/view/1704/23/
An opportunity to see the great city of Diyarbakir; it is one the oldest cities in the Middle East 
The participants were able to make a few short stops.
On the first night all attendees were invited to Kashan Koshk (Kashan Castle) where the famous Kurdish singer Rojda sang along with her musical group.
The conference attendees visited a courthouse to observe the legal proceedings of several activists in Turkey.   Some conference attendees were able to go to Dersim to pay a visit to Sakineh Gansiz’s memorial.
Despite the conditions in Southeast Turkey (Kurdistan) some clear differences can be observed. People are voicing their dissent openly. For example, on the tour of the city of Diyarbakir (Amed) a person was wearing a pin with a photo of Mr. Abdullah Ocalan.  He was asked if he was not afraid of getting arrested?  “Why should I be afraid? They should be afraid of me,” he responded.
A part of our tour through the city was a trip to the courthouse of Diyarbakir. A group of 100 of the conference attendees were taken as observers to a Turkish criminal court to the trial of 40 Kurdish women and men.  They had been arrested on charges of membership of parties such as the PKK or arrested individually under anti-state charges. They were allowed to speak Kurdish with the presence of an interpreter. This is a new development within the Turkish judicial process. Up until 2012, Turkish was the only spoken language and Kurdish was banned.  Recently a massive hunger strike, lasting more than two months by Kurdish prisoners in Turkey, led to some reforms, such as the right to speak Kurdish with the help of an interpreter. The prisoner or his/her family must hire (out of pocket) their own interpreters, which many cannot afford.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A very nice memory from 2008
An award for 4 months research on Comparison law and policy on Human rights in Iran,Iraq,Denmark and United State



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan 26 2013
Fernando Valley chapter. Besides our program, we will continue our annual meeting business with accepting our budget, electing our leaders, and hear officer, committee and chapter reports







-------------------------------------------------------------------

una-usa_logo.gif
San Fernando Valley Chapter – Los Angeles

Official Press Release Regarding Abolish capital punishment and
Save the Lives of Zaniar and Loqhman Moradi& other political prisoners in Iran

San Fernando Valley Chapter of UNA/USA 
http://www.sfv.una-socal.org/
Jan 2013
United Nations Association of the USA - San Fernando Valley Chapter joins other human rights activists, individuals, organizations, and social and civil rights activists to abolish capital punishment against political prisoners in Iran particularly  two prisoners of conscience   who have been sentenced to death by the Islamic Republic of Iran; named Zaniar and Loqman Moradi.
We have been informed by our subject matter experts that numerous political prisoners in Iran are members of ethnic and national minorities and that Iranian authorities have repeatedly executed cultural, religious and political activists in areas populated by ethnic communities.  The Supreme Court in Iran has reportedly upheld the death sentences of five Iranian Arab prisoners of conscience, who were arrested in February 2011 and sentenced on ambiguous charges such as moharebeh (fighting against God) and corruption on earth: Mohammad Ali Ammorynejad (engineer, blogger and former teacher), Hadi Rashedi (high school teacher), Hashem Sha’baninejad (poet and teacher), Jaber al-Boushaka, and Mokhtar al-Boushaka.
We warn human rights organizations, governments, world public opinion, and political groups and parties of the imminent danger facing Iranian political prisoners in Iran.
UNA-USA-SFV chapter joins the international community and other human rights organizations to express its outrage at the persistent violations of human rights and calls upon the Islamic Republic to halt the execution of  Zaniar and Loqman Moradi and other member of national minorities in Iran.


David FrancisTuckman 
Co president of United Nations Association of the USA-SFVC 
dtuckman@roadrunner.com 


Virginia Hatfield                                                                                                                                             Virginia Hatfield 
Co president of United Nations Association of the USA-SFVC


Soraya Fallah,
Contact person and Vice President Programming of United Nations Association of the USA-SFVC
unitednation.soraya@gmail.com


===================================================================================The Global Citizen Award from United Nation Association of USA’s  awarded to Soraya Fallah
On Thursday, September 27th 2012, the United Nation Association of USA (UNAUSA) gathered for the 5th West Coast Global Forum at an official luncheon held at the California Endowment Center in Los Angeles, CA.

Read more: http://www.persianicons.org/human-right/soraya-fallah-is-2012-recipient-of-the-united-nation-association-of-usas-global-citizen-award/#ixzz2E10I3KXb

On Thursday, September 27th 2012, the United Nation Association of USA (UNAUSA) gathered for the 5th West Coast Global Forum at an official luncheon held at the California Endowment Center in Los Angeles, CA.
 SorayaAwardUN | Soraya Fallah is 2012 Recipient of the United Nation Association of USA’s Global Citizen Award
 The purpose of this gathering was to begin a dialogue about the challenges facing our global world, including the increasing population on our planet. The forum’s theme was “7 Billion and Counting: Creating a World that Works.”
This forum was also a celebration of individuals and organizations that are contributing to the creation of a world that works. Three distinguished individuals were awarded the “Global Citizen Award” as a way to honor their tireless efforts towards improving the health, human rights, and quality of life of people in the local and global community. 

Soraya UN Award by RitaNessian 7 | Soraya Fallah is 2012 Recipient of the United Nation Association of USA’s Global Citizen Award

The UNAUSA, Southern California Division in Partnership with the Southern CA Regional Council of Organizations, and the Los Angeles Mayor’s office presented the awardees with certificate of recognition and a platform to speak about their work and their current projects.   

Soraya Fallah was awarded for her courage and unwavering commitment to human rights. Her efforts to secure the rights of women, disadvantaged communities, prisoners of conscious, and minority groups in the Middle East have established her as an International Human Rights Activist and a Global Citizen. 

Dr. Gudata S. Hinika, Founder of Ethiopia HealthAid, was recognized for establishing a sustainable healthcare and education systems in rural Ethiopia. 

Calvert Investments was awarded for their commitment to a sustainable and responsible investment program since 1982. 

The certificate of recognition, which were signed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and  Erik Garcetti, council member of the 13 district of Los Angeles, were presented to the awardees by the Executive Director of UNAUSA Mr. Patrick Madden, the Vice President and Resource Development of UNAUSA Mr. Barry Simon, and President of UNA-USA Southern California Division Mel Boynton.

As a way to introduce Soraya Fallah, a short but moving documentary, titled “For Kurdistan,” was shown to the audience. This documentary is part of a project by the campaign Education under Fire. Soraya gave a short speech thanking the attendees, which included members of her UNAUSA-SFV chapter, members of the Kurdish-American Committee for Human Rights and Democracy in Iran, Green Kurdistan, members of the Iranian community, Dr. Foud Darwish and his activist wife Suzanne Darwish, members of the Kurdish Community Of Southern California, members of KNCNA, her artist friends, as well as her children and her husband. 

In her speech, Soraya Fallah pointed out, “My journey here has not been an easy one but I know that upholding the vision of this award will be even harder. More than ever, I am compelled to work for the safety of the vulnerable and the rights of the disenfranchised.”

The Forum committee called up Soraya Fallah’s family to the stage to greet them and introduce them to the audience.

During Q&A Soraya had a chance to speak shortly about the violation of Human Rights in Iran, especially against Kurd, and urge the audience to support petitions and movements in Iran, and become a voice for voiceless people.

Full text of Soraya Fallah Remark 

Remark   by : Soraya Fallah
It is a pleasure to be with you. 
Thank you for taking time out of your day to attend this event. Everyone in attendance here is a distinguished global citizen so it is an honor to speak in front of you. 
Before I share a few of my thoughts with you, I have to thank UN Association of the USA, Southern California Division for putting this event together and recognizing my work. 
Thanks to the event committee, especially Mr. Barry Simone who has been working tirelessly to make this event a success. 
I want to thank and welcome UNAUSA San Fernando Valley chapter members with whom I have had the pleasure of serving for the past 6 years.
I am flattered that so many of my friends have taken time from work and school to attend this event. I welcome all my friends, individual and organizations  Kurdish /American committee for HR and D in Iran, Green Kurdistan, members of Iranian community, Kurdish Community Of Southern California ,  members of KNCNA ,my artist friends , Last but certainly not least, my beautiful children and my best friend and fellow activist, my husband.  
It is always an honor to receive an award but it means so much more when my fellow recipients are so amazing. Congratulations to Dr. Gudata S. Hinika Founder of Ethiopia HealthAid, and to Calvert Investments. 
This award is especially meaningful for me because it is being given by an organization that actually works to make its vision of a better world a reality. I have learned a great deal while serving UNAUSA. Members of this organization truly believe in a common humanity that ties us all together regardless of our backgrounds.  Each time I have brought an issue to the attention of my fellow UNAUSA members they have listened attentively, showed care and concern, and have taken action within their capacity to help those who are suffering. This organization does not look at problems in other parts of the world as irrelevant or too distant to address. For example, when I brought up the persecution of human rights activists and the torture of political prisoners in Iran or my outrage regarding the intentional burning of forests in Kurdistan ,  neglecting Orumieh lake, and supporting prisoners in hunger strike, press releases were written, petitions were signed, meetings organized and educational events put together. UNAUSA is a model for how global citizens can work together to make life better for their brothers and sisters. 
UNAwardGroup | Soraya Fallah is 2012 Recipient of the United Nation Association of USA’s Global Citizen Award
The theme of this year’s global forum is “7 Billion and Counting – Creating a World That Works.” If our goal is to reach a time where every human life is respected and each individual’s dignity is upheld, then we have to be worried about overpopulation. We have to be concerned about the state of our planet. We also all have to see ourselves as global citizens rather than simply an individual within a small geographic location. 
This made me think of a National Geographic video called “Are you Typical?” The video gives an eye opening view of the stark differences between people born in various parts of the world. For example, it tells us that the average American uses 100 gallons of water at home per day while in parts of Africa only 2.5 gallons available for use. Some women spend 8hours a day collecting this meager amount.  Can we work towards a world where our place of birth does not dictate whether our basic human rights are respected or violated? Can we work towards a global community where a woman in Iran, in Kurdistan and the Middle East or Africa can have the same life expectancy as a woman in Scandinavia? And children all over the world will have the opportunity to grow into healthy adults?
For this to happen, we need to educate ourselves and our communities about the need for responsible consumption and population control. We need to understand that human happiness is tied to a healthy environment. That the preservation of the earth’s rich cultural, ethnic, and ecological diversity can only be achieved through the promotion and adoption of environmentally wise and sustainable technologies. 
We can make this happen! 
This might sound idealistic but human beings are capable of remarkable things. We can achieve this by educating and inspiring one small community at a time, one household at a time, one woman, man and child at a time.  
My journey here has not been an easy one but I know that upholding the vision of this award will be even harder. More than ever, I am compelled to work for the safety of the vulnerable and the rights of the disenfranchised. And all of you here today give me strength to continue my work. Thank you for your encouragement. 
There are activists around the world whose safety and health are threatened for simply standing up for their rights and the rights of others, to human rights activists in Iran and Kurdistan. I dedicate this award to them for their tenacity and courage.
Thank you again and have a great rest of the day

You might also like:


Read more: http://www.persianicons.org/human-right/soraya-fallah-is-2012-recipient-of-the-united-nation-association-of-usas-global-citizen-award/#ixzz2E11C2TKA


---------------------

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2012


The UNA-USA, SoCal Division To Be Presenting This Year’s Global Citizen Award To: Soraya Fallah

Listen with webReader


The UNA-USA, SoCal Division To Be Presenting This Year’s Global Citizen Award To: Soraya Fallahچاپارسال به دوست
Vokradio, Los Angeles, California, USA   
 una-usa_logo.gif
The UNA-USA, SoCal Division to be presenting this year's Global Citizen 
Award to: Soraya Fallah
Soraya Fallah, a lifelong human rights activist will be awarded-along with two other worthy activists- the 2012 Global Citizen Award at a Luncheon Event at this year's 5th West Coast Global Forum organized by The Southern California Division in Partnership with the Southern CA Regional Council of Organizations.
Please join us at this event to support these wonderful people who make such a large impact in our global community.
UNA-USA SFV chapter will greatly appreciate your presence.  
  The Southern California Division in  Partnership with the Southern CA Regional Council of Organizations , presenting the 2012 Global Citizen Award to individuals and organizations committed to making a difference in the health, human rights and quality of life of all people locally and globally.
  We are proud to be presenting this year's Global Citizen Award to:   Soraya Fallah ; International Human Rights Activist

  Dr. Gudata S. Hinika ; Founder of Ethiopia HealthAid, establishing sustainable
healthcare and education systems in rural Ethiopia
  
2012-rsvp-card-front-final.jpg

   Calvert Investments; Committed to sustainable and responsible
investments since 1982
with special guest; Patrick Madden Executive Director The United Nations Association of the USA Washington DC
  Thursday, September 27, 2012 Luncheon Event, noon until 2:3
Address: The California Endowment
1000 Alameda Street
Los Angeles, California 90012
Parking FREE



======================================



UNAUSA_SV chapter  August 2012 program

Evening in Kabul

A fundraiser and silent auction benefiting the
Afghan Dental Relief Project
founded by James Rolfe, DDS
Event sponsored by Greater Van Nuys and Chatsworth Sunset Rotary Clubs and the
San Fernando Valley Chapter of the United Nations Association, U.S.A.

Join us at the home of Barbara Pampalone, DDS
22811 Plummer Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311
(Parking available on Plummer and a shuttle service provided to the home)
Saturday, August 25th, 2012
5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Dress is California Casual
Ticket price is $35 payable by check or cash.
For reservations call 818-882-2395
RSVP requested by August 23rd
Event will include:
-Afghan menu
-Paintings by Afghan artist Betsy Noorsey
-Presentation by Dr. Rolfe showing the work that has been accomplished to bring dental health to the women and children of Afghanistan

Proceeds from the dinner and silent auction will
benefit the much needed operations of the
Dental Relief Project.
For further information contact Barbara Pampalone at bpampalone@gmail.com
FLYER for event
SUMMARY of Dr. Rofe's Relief Project

http://www.sfv.una-socal.org/materials/Evening_in_Kabul_-_Invitation_PDF.pdf
http://www.sfv.una-socal.org/index.html




 March program:


March program:
San Fernando Valley Chapter of UNA-USA hosts the Southern California Division Meeting was held on Saturday, March 24, 2012 - 11:00 AM. The program was include a presentation by Karin Mak which chronicles the struggle for justice by women factory workers in China who have been poisoned by cadmium while manufacturing nickel-cadmium batteries. all inclusive Ms. Mak is a documentary filmmaker, who will present her award-winning film, "Red Dust,"
THE EVENT WAS HELD AT:
Mandarin King Restaurant which is located in Northridge, CA 

unausa-amirsharifi.jpg














































http://www.sfv.una-socal.org/index.html
===================================================================






Come Join Us on
Friday, October 14, 2011 6:30PM


For a presentation by:

 Dr. Alireza Azizi 
 Speaking on the subject of
International Human Rights Standards
 And The Right To Health Care
.
Dr. Alireza Azizi has been active in the field of human rights for the past thirty years and has served on the boards of many international organizations including Amnesty International. Most recently he has been working with the Society for Human Rights in Iran Southern California. In addition to being a human rights lecturer, Dr. Azizi holds a PhD in Physics from UCLA and works at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena. His insights should provide an enlightening and engaging opportunity to exchange ideas.
 We will, also, have an update on the Nobel Peace Prize nomination of
Iranian Kurdish prisoner Mr. Mohamad Sedigh Kaboudvand.

.   THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT:
Village Mediterranean Grill 
11651 Riverside Drive, Valley Village, CA 91602
 or ginnyvmh@aol.com by Thursday, Oct. 13, the last date that cancellations will be honored. We require a 24-hour notice of cancellation or you will be billed.
A family-style Mediterranean dinner will be served
  $20.00 per person








San Fernando Valley Chapter – Los Angeles

Official Press Release Regarding
Iranian-Kurdish Activist, Mr. Sidigh Kaboudvand
and Nobel Peace Prize Nomination
San Fernando Valley Chapter of UNA/USA
http://www.sfv.una-socal.org/

April 2011
United Nations Association of the USA - San Fernando Valley Chapter joins other human rights activists, individuals, organizations, and social and civil rights activists in support of the candidacy of Mr. Mohamad Sidigh Kaboudvand who has been nominated for the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.
This prize has previously been awarded to human rights activists and defenders such as Liu Xiaobo, "for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China," (awarded in absentia as a prisoner in the People's Republic of China.); as well as Aung San Suu Kyi, "for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights,"(Awarded in absentia as a prisoner by the government of Myanmar.); and to the prominent Iranian lawyer Mrs. Shirin Ebadi, "for her efforts for democracy and human rights, especially the struggle for the rights of women and children.”
The United Nations Association of the USA-SFV strongly believes that Mr. Mohamad Sidigh Kaboudvand deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his life’s work reporting on and defending the human rights of the Kurds and other disadvantaged minorities in Iran. He has risked his life in defense of others, and remains a prisoner of conscious in an Iranian prison, subjected to severe conditions.
Background:
Mr. Mohamad Sedigh Kaboudvand is a prominent human rights defender, journalist, and 2005 founder of the Human Rights Organization of Kurdistan (HROK), a group that seeks to protect the rights of Iranian Kurds. The organization grew to include 200 local reporters throughout the Iranian Kurdish region, allowing it to provide detailed and timely reports from throughout the region, published in the now-banned magazine, Payam-e Mardom (Message of the People). Mr. Kaboudvand was director of this magazine, which reported the systematic violation of human rights in Iran, particularly against the Kurdish minority. In addition Mr. Kaboudvand was instrumental in creating a civil society network for Kurdish youth and activists. He has authored three books, Nimeh-ye Digar ("The Other Half," a book on women's rights); Barzakh-e Democracy ("The Struggle for Democracy"); and Jonbesh-e Ejtemaii ("Social Movements"). He is the recipient of international awards such as the 2009 Hellman/Hammett, awarded by Human Rights Watch to writers punished by their governments for expressing opposition views and/or writing about topics that the government does not want reported. Most recently in January of this year he was recognized as the International Journalist of the Year by The Press Gazette British Press Awards.
Intelligence agents arrested Kaboudvand on July 1, 2007, and kept him in solitary confinement for seven consecutive months without a trial. It has since been reported that he has been subjected to severe torture and inhumane acts with little access to urgently needed medical care. His solitary confinement was followed by a harsh life sentence, reduced to ten years in prison after appeal. He has remained active even in confinement and continues to report on the conditions of prisoners in his position.
The UNA SFV Chapter is supporting the nomination of Mr. Mohamad Sedigh Kaboudvand for the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. Our Chapter believes that aside from honoring the achievements and work of an individual activist, this nomination will also serve to shed light on the conditions of prisoners and dire human rights violations of ethnic minorities in Iran.

David FrancisTuckman
Co president of United Nations Association of the USA-SFVC
dtuckman@roadrunner.com

Virginia Hatfield
Co president of United Nations Association of the USA-SFVC

Soraya Fallah,
Contact person and Vice President Programming of United Nations Association of the USA-SFVC
unitednation.soraya@gmail.com

http://www.sfv.una-socal.org/index.html

Official Letter to:
The Norweigian Nobel Institute
Henrik Ibsens Gate 51
0255 OSLO

United Nations Association of the USA - San Fernando Valley Chapter joins other human rights activists, individuals, organizations, and social and civil rights activists in support of the candidacy of Mr. Mohamad Sidigh Kaboudvand who has been nominated for the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.
The United Nations Association of the USA-SFV strongly believes that Mr. Mohamad Sidigh Kaboudvand deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his life’s work reporting on and defending the human rights of the Kurds and other disadvantaged minorities in Iran. He has risked his life in defense of others, and remains a prisoner of conscious in an Iranian prison, subjected to severe conditions.
We believe that he is a prominent human rights defender and as a founder of the Human Rights Organization of Kurdistan (HROK), journalist and writer was instrumental in creating a civil society network for Kurdish youth and activists. Also he has remained active even in confinement and continues to report on the conditions of prisoners in his position.
The UNA SFV Chapter is supporting the nomination of Mr. Mohamad Sedigh Kaboudvand for the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. Our Chapter believes that aside from honoring the achievements and work of an individual activist, this nomination will also serve to shed light on the conditions of prisoners and dire human rights violations of ethnic minorities in Iran.
Sincerely
David FrancisTuckman
Co president of United Nations Association of the USA-SFVC
dtuckman@roadrunner.com
Virginia Hatfield
Co president of United Nations Association of the USA-SFVC
ginnyvmh@aol.com
Soraya Fallah,
Contact person and Vice President Programming of United Nations Association of the USA-SFVC
unitednation.soraya@gmail.com
http://www.sfv.una-socal.org/index.html






Our chapter's program on March 2010
http://www.sfv.una-socal.org/



http://www.sfv.una-socal.org/index.html

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Inclusive Education: The Case for Equity in Systemic Reform