International Women's Day in OKC

Join Us at "DC on Film Row" for
a Timely and Insightful Discussion
on Advancing Women & Girls Through STEM 

Saturday, March 5th, at 1pm -- It's Free! 

Your OKC Chapter of the United Nations Association invites you to observe International Women's Day with us on Saturday, March 5th. We'll be visiting Oklahoma City's Film Row district where we will convene for a discussion on the subject of, "Advancing Women and Girls in Society through STEM." That's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

Reserve Your Seat -- Register Online Now -- Free Tickets Available while They Last
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-womens-day-in-okc-tickets-22474218994

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right,
but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous
and sustainable world. Read more at
www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality

Why this topic? 

Well, gender equality has always been a core issue for the United Nations. Over the course of the next 15 years, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls will make a crucial contribution to economic development of the world. Gender equality is one of the major themes of the UN's Goals for Sustainable Development.

Plus, science and technology are valuable tools for the advancement of those goals.

Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, writes:

"The new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development underlines the power of science as a driver for human rights and dignity, poverty eradication and the protection of the planet.... More than ever today, the world needs science and science needs women."  

To lift up this message, we have assembled a stellar team of local experts:

- Barbara Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer at Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma

- Amanda Harlin, Techlahoma Board of Directors, Secretary

- Dr. Sezin Kadioglu, OU Gallogly College of Engineering

They will offer their own perspectives on the importance of closing the gender gap in STEM.

The panel discussion will take place from 1pm to 2pm at DC on Film Row inside of Dunlap Codding at 609 W. Sheridan Ave. We will offer light snacks and drinks. This is a free program. Find more information at our Facebook Event page.

Who Should Attend? 

Men, Women, Teens, and Children -- anyone who is interested in gender equality, careers in science & technology, sustainable development, and the future of our planet.

Priya Desai, president of UNA-OKC, says, "Feel free to bring your children to learn more." 

According to the most recent UNESCO Science Report, women account for only 28 percent of researchers across the world, with the gap deepening at the higher echelons of decision-making.

A solar engineer trainer in India. "No country can move
forward with only half its creativity, energy, and dreams." 

Irina Bokova puts this problem into a global perspective:

"Women have less access to funding, to networks, to senior positions, which puts them at a further disadvantage in high impact science publishing.  

"This calls for deep and sustained change, starting in the earliest years through improved participation of women and girls in science education, training and research activities at all levels. 

"Girls’ and women’s access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) cannot be envisaged when girls and women remain the majority of out-of-school children, youth and illiterate adults. This gap throws a shadow over entire societies, as no country can move forward with only half its creativity, energy, and dreams."  

A "Cool" Event Space

DC on Film Row is a unique venue for this program. Our friends at DC on Film Row tell us that their goal is "To celebrate the incredible diversity of creativity, innovation, and passion within Oklahoma City and to provide a venue... to those groups and individuals working to bind us all together and make our home a cooler and better place."

DC on Film Row is located inside of Dunlap Codding, 609 W Sheridan Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

Support Your Local Chapter of the UN Association 

To make the event more special, we invite you to participate in a Silent Auction supporting the good work of the UN Association in Oklahoma City. Auction items include:

• Avon Spa gift basket

• Gift basket from JR Watkins

• A Dodger Baseball gift basket - has baseball, shirt, banner (no tix)

Science Museum Oklahoma offers a diverse collection
of  interactive and historic exhibits and programs.
Photo by TravelOK.com

• A Science Museum Oklahoma gift basket- has goodies and TICKETS!

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. - See more at: http://unausa.org/about-us#sthash.Myew2kX3.dpuf

Join us on Saturday as we step up our efforts for gender equality, women’s empowerment, and women’s human rights.

Did You Know? 

When you join the United Nations Association of the USA, you are eligible to join the "UNA Women" Affinity Group. UNA Women advocates for UN programs that further women's rights and empowerment nationally and internationally.

UNA Women takes direction from the interests and passions of current UNA-USA members who convene in person and virtually, to advance important and timely issues related to women and girls. Participation in UNA Women is open to any current UNA-USA member.

See more at: UNA Women

Enjoy a Burger with Us!

Support Your OKC Chapter of
the United Nations Association

Eat at S&B Burger Joint on February 23rd; 
A Portion of Sales will be Donated to UNA-OKC; 
Only at one Location: 7640 Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City. 

Enjoy a burger, support your local chapter of the UN Association. It's part of "Pay It Forward Tuesday: Dine for a Cause" -- a community service event of the S&B Burger Joint.

It's easy to participate. Visit the S&B location at 7640 Northwest Expressway (East of the intersection with Council Road).

Order anything from their menu. They are open from 11 in the Morning 'til 12 at Night. You don't need to sign up in advance. You don't need to have a flyer or mention a code. Just show up, and enjoy some great food at S&B -- only at their location at 7640 Northwest Expressway.

Whether you dine-in or carry out, S&B will donate a portion of the proceeds to benefit our United Nations Association Oklahoma City Chapter!

When you contribute to your Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association, you support unique programs and activities designed exclusively for our community. 

Example: Our UN Day Celebration of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development;
Example: Film presentations on Human Trafficking, the Empowerment of Women and Girls; and More;
Example: Special Community Talks with Dr. Marc Levin of "Doctors Without Borders."
Example: Support for Model United Nations conferences for high school and middle school students.

A majority of our community events and activities are offered at no cost to the community. It is part of our commitment to the mission of the United Nations Association -- to inform, inspire, and mobilize the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. - See more at: http://unausa.org/about-us#sthash.uZmWwq9X.dpuf

For more than 40 years, your OKC chapter of the United Nations Association has supported educational activities in our community. We rely on the smart work of enthusiastic volunteers and the generous contributions of our friends and neighbors. (We do not receive any funding from the United Nations or any government organization).

Join at unausa.org

Our three main sources of funding are:

<>  Membership dues;
<>  Fund-raising events (like this one at S&B Burgers); and
<>  Freewill contributions from community supporters.

Got some extra cabbage? Donate here. 

When our leadership team met earlier this month, we voted to make a $450 investment in Model UN activities in Oklahoma. It doesn't sound like much, but that small amount represents about 20% of our chapter's on-hand cash resources. To sustain our programming, we need your support!

We're proud to support American leadership in the United Nations. The values of the UN Charter resonate in us: 

"To practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and
"To unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and
"To ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and
"To employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples...." 

Join us at S&B Burger Joint, 7640 Northwest Expressway, on Tuesday, February 23rd. 

Bring a friend! 

Events for the Community to Enjoy

From Your Oklahoma City Chapter
of the United Nations Association: 

• A Model UN Session for Middle School 
• A Panel Discussion on Empowering Girls Through STEM
• Two Great Movies
• Plus ... Enjoy a Burger for the Cause! 

Your OKC Chapter of the United Nations Association is proud to announce an exciting line-up of activities for our members and friends in the Oklahoma City area.

Tuesday, February 16th -- 6pm

"L'auberge Espagnole" (movie)
Where: The UCO International House
912 Chowning Ave. 
Edmond, OK

We're teaming up with The Language Company of Edmond for a FREE foreign film screening at the UCO International House. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

There will be plenty of international students in the audience as well as members and friends of our UNA-OKC chapter.

The film, "L'auberge Espagnole," is about a strait-laced French student who moves into an apartment in Barcelona with a cast of six other characters from all over Europe. Together, they speak the international language of love and friendship.

Here's a short review from a reviewer in Cork, Ireland:
"The first thing I wanted to do after watching this film was watch it again (because I'd missed lots with all the laughing I did). I'm European and I've studied abroad and I've as good as lived with Spanish, french, Italian and German people. The film was full of stereotypes, which, more often than not, p*** people off, and reading some of the other reviews I see that it did p*** people off. But, this film gets the stereotypes so right I cannot fault it. Except for maybe the way the french guy became a drunken party animal. The English guy was the perfect "geezer" stereotype. Drunk, annoying, insulting but shines through in the end. As well as the stereotypes the film also got the emotional aspect of studying abroad correct. At first he's shy, doesn't know anybody, misses home, doesn't know his way around. As time progresses it becomes his home and when the time comes to leave, it is extremely difficult. A feeling people can only understand if they've experienced it. I highly recommend this film." 

The film is rated [R] for language and sexual content. See a complete description of the film at the IMDB website,

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0283900/

Tuesday, February 23rd 

"Pay It Forward Tuesday: Dine for a Cause"
Where: S&B Burger Joint 
7640 Northwest Expressway 
Oklahoma City, OK   73132

Enjoy a burger, support your local chapter of the UN Association. It's part of "Pay It Forward Tuesday: Dine for a Cause" -- a community service event of the S&B Burger Joint.

It's easy to participate. Visit the S&B location at 7640 Northwest Expressway (near the intersection with Council Road). Order anything from their menu. They are open from 11 in the Morning 'til 12 at Night.

Whether you dine-in or carry out, S&B will be donating a portion of the proceeds to benefit our United Nations Association Oklahoma City Chapter! Make sure you let them know what you're there to support the chapter!

"UNA OKC supports community programs and encourages active civic participation on community and global issues, and your participation in Pay It Forward Tuesday allows us to continue to provide quality public programming." 

Tuesday, March 1st -- 9am to 4pm 

Model UN Simulation for Middle School Students
Where: The University of Oklahoma, College of Continuing Education
1700 Asp Avenue 
Norman, OK   73072-6400

It's the Middle School Model United Nations Conference of the Southwest. Middle school students will practice skills that will help them through a lifetime -- knowledge and skills such as problem solving, teamwork, communications, and an appreciation for the good work of the United Nations.

Can You Volunteer to Help Lead a Team of Middle School Delegates?

Team leaders are needed to help lead discussions within the simulated country delegations. Here's how our organizer describes the job of the team leader:

"You will be a team leader from 9:30- 11:30. The topic the students will be researching is Nuclear Disarmament. Your group will be required to research your assigned country and its involvement in Nuclear Disarmament. Each group will then be given a country question sheet... and an iPad. Your job is to answer questions and assist them as they familiarize themselves with your country's involvement." 

At the end of the day students will experience an abbreviated Model UN session and will practice the concepts they learned.

If you can help on Tuesday, March 1st, please contact Vivian at vivianarmitage@yahoo.com.

Thanks! 

Saturday, March 5th  -- 1pm to 2pm

Panel Discussion: "Advancing Women & Girls in Society Through STEM" 
Where: DC on Film Row 
... inside of Dunlap Codding 
609 W Sheridan Ave
Oklahoma City, OK   73102

Just 28% of researchers are women, according to the

UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Find out more in this

special online report.

Earlier this month, the United Nations celebrated the first ever International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11th). Our panel discussion is planned to coincide with International Women's Day (March 8th).

The United Nations is committed to promoting gender equality in science by advocating global access to education, training and research for women in ‪Science‬, ‪Technology‬, ‪Engineering‬ and ‪Mathematics (STEM)‬. We also celebrate and recognize the many achievements of women in the sciences.

Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

We will be having someone from the Girl Scouts STEM Program join us. Feel free to bring your children to learn more.

We will be adding more information about our panelists closer to the event. Find out more at our Facebook Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/807586486053205/

Sunday, March 6th  -- 1:45pm to 4:15pm 

"A Bottle in the Gaza Sea" (movie) 
Emanuel Synagogue  
900 NW 47th  
Oklahoma City, OK   73118

We're co-sponsoring this film with the Jewish / Muslim Film Institute and many other community organizations. This is a free event. Please RSVP so that we can plan for refreshments and seating. To RSVP for this film, visit: www.jewishmuslimfilminstitute.com

For question, contact: rdfrdf@cox.net

Here's a plot summary from IMDB.com:

"Tal is 17 years old. Naim is 20. She's Israeli. He's Palestinian. She lives in Jerusalem. He lives in Gaza. They were born in a land of scorched earth, where fathers bury their children. They must endure an explosive situation that is not of their choosing at an age where young people are falling in love and taking their place in adult life. A bottle thrown in the sea and a correspondence by email nurture the slender hope that their relationship might give them the strength to confront this harsh reality to grapple with it, and thereby ever so slightly change it. Only 60 miles separate them but how many bombings, check-points, sleepless nights and bloodstained days stand between them?" 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2082496/combined

Reviewers say:

"A rare jewel of a movie. Highly recommended." 

"A movie which uses no less than four languages, but its real tongue is that of peace, love and understanding; the final sequence will drive you to tears. I'm French, I do hope they will meet in my country!" 

"We see the complexity of the political situation on both sides of the divide and it gives the viewer a very realistic idea of how tragic the situation is for both sides. A truly excellent film." 

Stay Connected with us:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/UNA.OKC
Twitter: @UNA_OKC
Website: www.una-okc.org
Blog: http://una-okc.blogspot.com/

Are You a Member Yet? 
http://www.unausa.org/membership