One of the UNA USA’s major roles is Advocacy. This month, a delegation from our Tampa Bay Chapter including Director of Advocacy, Dr. David Randle, and advocacy intern, Jackie Briggs, met with Senator Bill Nelson’s and Representative Kathy Castor’s offices to discuss the 2011 UNA USA Advocacy Agenda. The meetings went extremely well and the messages have been sent to Washington to let Congress know how serious these issues are. The following are the main topics discussed.

http://www.unausa.org/advocacyagenda

The first item on the national agenda is UN Funding by the United States. In the past, the United States has given as much as $3 billion in one fiscal year to help with UN peacekeeping mission, refugee aid, UNICEF and several other UN organizations. Last year, in the 111^th Congress, H.R. 557 was introduced by House Republicans. If passed, this law would make all US funding to the UN voluntary. While this may seem benign, the preceding inaction would quickly deteriorate US relations with both the UN and the world as a whole and cripple several UN operations. At current, the United States pays more for its military bands and concerts than what it gives to the United Nations. 

Secondly, the group discussed the importance focusing on human rights and specifically repealing the Blasphemy Laws which directly counter the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These Blasphemy Laws legalize severe and unethical punishments for any persons caught blaspheming Sharia Law. Recently, at least two assassinations have been directly linked to this notion. These penalties are so severe that they may even perpetuate terrorism in the places where these laws are followed. To promote the idea of human rights in these areas may also prevent more terrorists.

http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/03/british-pm-condemns-unacceptable-pakistan-murder.html

The next matter discussed was the notion of international treaties, specifically the Law of the Sea Convention.  This treaty came into effect in 1994 after 60 countries ratified it. The United States is not one of the current 160 members and is losing out on several beneficial changes that would result in ratifying the treaty. The UNA USA Tampa Bay Chapter’s delegation strongly urged the Congress people to bring this to a vote as soon as possible.  

http://www.trunity.net/unatampabay/topics/view/18450/

Lastly, the delegation discussed the Millennium Development Goals and the lack of US support for such projects. In the 1970s, the United States pledged to send 0.7% of its GDP to aid foreign development missions. It has never reached that mark and is currently one of the least giving developed nations with around 0.2% being given to MGD issues. It is important that the United States support these developing nations in their quests to become viable, healthy nations in the global society. 

http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/press/07.htm

All of these topics are very important in today’s world and because of the positions of our representatives in Congress, Florida has become ground zero for many of the issues at hand. It is our hope that the information brought forth in these meetings will enlighten our members of Congress and create action. At time of publication, a meeting was being scheduled to meet with Senator Marco Rubio’s office.  

Plans are to also meet with Sen. Rubio's office.  

Please contact your representatives and share your concerns and support of the UNA USA Advocacy agenda.

One of the UNA USA’s major roles is Advocacy. This month, a delegation from our Tampa Bay Chapter including Director of Advocacy, Dr. David Randle, and advocacy intern, Jackie Briggs, met with Senator Bill Nelson’s and Representative Kathy Castor’s offices to discuss the 2011 UNA USA Advocacy Agenda. The meetings went extremely well and the messages have been sent to Washington to let Congress know how serious these issues are. The following are the main topics discussed.

http://www.unausa.org/advocacyagenda

The first item on the national agenda is UN Funding by the United States. In the past, the United States has given as much as $3 billion in one fiscal year to help with UN peacekeeping mission, refugee aid, UNICEF and several other UN organizations. Last year, in the 111^th Congress, H.R. 557 was introduced by House Republicans. If passed, this law would make all US funding to the UN voluntary. While this may seem benign, the preceding inaction would quickly deteriorate US relations with both the UN and the world as a whole and cripple several UN operations. At current, the United States pays more for its military bands and concerts than what it gives to the United Nations. 

Secondly, the group discussed the importance focusing on human rights and specifically repealing the Blasphemy Laws which directly counter the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These Blasphemy Laws legalize severe and unethical punishments for any persons caught blaspheming Sharia Law. Recently, at least two assassinations have been directly linked to this notion. These penalties are so severe that they may even perpetuate terrorism in the places where these laws are followed. To promote the idea of human rights in these areas may also prevent more terrorists.

http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/03/british-pm-condemns-unacceptable-pakistan-murder.html

The next matter discussed was the notion of international treaties, specifically the Law of the Sea Convention.  This treaty came into effect in 1994 after 60 countries ratified it. The United States is not one of the current 160 members and is losing out on several beneficial changes that would result in ratifying the treaty. The UNA USA Tampa Bay Chapter’s delegation strongly urged the Congress people to bring this to a vote as soon as possible.  

http://www.trunity.net/unatampabay/topics/view/18450/

Lastly, the delegation discussed the Millennium Development Goals and the lack of US support for such projects. In the 1970s, the United States pledged to send 0.7% of its GDP to aid foreign development missions. It has never reached that mark and is currently one of the least giving developed nations with around 0.2% being given to MGD issues. It is important that the United States support these developing nations in their quests to become viable, healthy nations in the global society. 

http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/press/07.htm

All of these topics are very important in today’s world and because of the positions of our representatives in Congress, Florida has become ground zero for many of the issues at hand. It is our hope that the information brought forth in these meetings will enlighten our members of Congress and create action. At time of publication, a meeting was being scheduled to meet with Senator Marco Rubio’s office.  

Plans are to also meet with Sen. Rubio's office.  

Please contact your representatives and share your concerns and support of the UNA USA Advocacy agenda.