Our "Doctors Without Borders" Speaker

Here are 3 Things To Know About Dr. Levin's Visit --
He Visits Central Oklahoma on Monday, November 9th 

First, you should know that Dr. Marc Levin's talks in OKC and Edmond are made possible because of the support of the members and friends of UNA-OKC. We're the Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association. Our friends include the OU Physicians. They are co-sponsoring Dr. Levin's appearance at the Samis Education Center at Children's Hospital.

Dr. Marc Levin, MD

At UCO, we need to acknowledge the great support of the International House (where Dr. Levin will speak) as well as the UCO Model UN club. Most of all, we want to thank the members of our Association. Without you, we would not be able to bring Dr. Levin to our community.

The Second Thing to Know: 

Dr. Levin is a volunteer for Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). He's not a full-time staffer. We don't expect him to know about all of the MSF operations in more than 70 countries around the world. We won't ask him to recite all of the details about the bombing of the MSF hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan, or about the other attacks on medical facilities in South Sudan, Syria, etc.

We do expect Dr. Levin to offer helpful insights about providing health services to populations affected by conflict, neglected diseases, and recurrent epidemics. And we think he will help to inform our understanding of the importance of international humanitarian law (under which MSF operates).

Dr. Levin agreed to come to Oklahoma and spread the message about MSF because he believes in the goals and principles of MSF. The principles of MSF are stated in their charter as published on their website --

"Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a private, international association. The association is made up mainly of doctors and health sector workers and is also open to all other professions which might help in achieving its aims. All of its members agree to honor the following principles:

"MSF provides assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters, and to victims of armed conflict. They do so irrespective of race, religion, creed, or political convictions.

"MSF observes neutrality and impartiality in the name of universal medical ethics and the right to humanitarian assistance and claims full and unhindered freedom in the exercise of its functions. 

"Members undertake to respect their professional code of ethics and maintain complete independence from all political, economic, or religious powers. 

"As volunteers, members understand the risks and dangers of the missions they carry out and make no claim for themselves or their assigns for any form of compensation other than that which the association might be able to afford them." 

Read more at:
www.doctorswithoutborders.org/about-us/history-principles/charter

MSF shares many common values and objectives with UN agencies that help to serve the humanitarian needs of our global civil society. The medical services provided by MSF help to support the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. All are working toward the fulfillment of the Global Goals related to ending extreme poverty.

Both MSF and the UN are also working in support of basic human rights as expressed through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration proclaims that, "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood." This is a common value that illuminates the work of both the UN and MSF.

The Third Thing to Know: 

We're asking everyone to "RSVP" if you're planning to attend either of Dr. Levin's talks. "RSVP" means register in advance. It isn't a strict requirement. But it will help us prepare for the events if we know about how many people are planning to come.

Here are the links for online pre-registration:

Dr. Marc Levin at Children's Hosptial -- 12 Noon
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-experience-of-a-doctors-without-borders-volunteer-tickets-19307297647

RSVP for Dr. Levin at the International House at UCO -- 4pm
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/doctors-without-borders-at-ucos-international-house-tickets-19344240143

Thanks to the support of our members and friends, we are able to bring Dr. Levin to Oklahoma at no cost to the Central Oklahoma community.

For more information about Dr. Levin's speaking appearances, see our blog ("To Reaffirm Faith"), here ...

http://www.una-okc.blogspot.com/2015_10_01_archive.html

... Feel free to share this message with friends who may be interested.

Thanks!