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!

Nominate a Human Rights Hero

Do you know a human rights hero who works to advance equal justice and equal dignity for people in Oklahoma?

Nominations are now open for the annual human rights awards that are co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance (OKUHRA) and the Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA).

Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt once said human rights begin close to home -- in "places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination." 

Do you know a human rights hero who works to advance equal justice and equal dignity for people in Oklahoma? Please consider nominating them for a recognition award through OKUHRA and UNA-USA. 

As in previous years, we will honor these human rights heroes at a special mid-day ceremony at the Oklahoma Capitol on December 10th, Universal Human Rights Day -- which happens to fall on a Thursday this year.

To make it easy for you to submit a nomination, we have established a convenient online nomination form that you may use:

Online Nomination Form (administered by Constant Contact)
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07ea6dmgg7i2v10t6t/a017wigfrgwyz/greeting

We are seeking nominees from every background and every walk of life. You can see a list of some of our previous winners on our blog, "To Reaffirm Faith." Here are the links:

2014 winners:
http://www.una-okc.blogspot.com/2014/12/2014-human-rights-award-winners.html

2013 winners:
http://una-okc.blogspot.com/2013/11/2013-human-rights-award-winners.html

2012 winners:
http://una-okc.blogspot.com/2012/12/human-rights-award-winners-announced.html

Please note that nominations must be submitted by Tuesday, December 1st. If you do not have access to the online nomination form or if you have any questions about the nominations process, please feel free to call Wilfredo Santosrivera: 405-631-3027.

The annual Human Rights Day observance at the State Capitol carries on a tradition that was started by the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission many years ago. We are proud to carry on this tradition of honoring the men and women in our state who help to define the meaning of human rights where we live.

"Where, after all, do universal rights begin?"

"...In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerned citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."
–Eleanor Roosevelt, “The Great Question,” remarks delivered at the United Nations in New York on March 27, 1958.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Todos los seres humanos nacen libres e iguales en dignidad y derechos.

Tous les êtres humains naissent libres et égaux en dignité et en droits. 

ᏂᎦᏓ ᎠᏂᏴᏫ ᏂᎨᎫᏓᎸᎾ ᎠᎴ ᎤᏂᏠᏱ ᎤᎾᏕᎿ ᏚᏳᎧᏛ ᎨᏒᎢ. ᎨᏥᏁᎳ ᎤᎾᏓᏅᏖᏗ ᎠᎴ ᎤᏃᏟᏍᏗ ᎠᎴ ᏌᏊ ᎨᏒ ᏧᏂᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᏗ ᎠᎾᏟᏅᏢ ᎠᏓᏅᏙ ᎬᏗ.  

Ĉiuj homoj estas denaske liberaj kaj egalaj laŭ digno kaj rajtoj. Ili posedas racion kaj konsciencon, kaj devus konduti unu la alian en spirito de frateco.

Review the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article I) in over 300 languages at the Omniglot website ...  http://omniglot.com/udhr/index.htm

Read the complete text of the Universal of Declaration of Human Rights on the UN website, here ... http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

The Field Practice of Medicine

The Experience of a "Doctors Without Borders" Volunteer
by Dr. Marc Levin, MD
Monday, November 9th -- 12 Noon to 1pm
at the Samis Family Education Center in OKC

Dr. Levin's talk will take place in the Rainbolt Auditorium of the Samis Family Education Center, 1200 Children’s Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73104. The talk is being presented in cooperation with OU Physicians.

There is no cost to attend, but please sign up in advance. There are two ways to RSVP:

(1) Register online using Eventbrite ...

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-experience-of-a-doctors-without-borders-volunteer-tickets-19307297647

or (2) Call Jacklyn, (405) 250-6263.

Marc Levin, MD, a family physician, has completed three field assignments with Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

On his first assignment with MSF in Dogdoré, Chad, Dr. Levin was the only doctor for 30,000 people in a conflict zone. Working seven miles from the Darfur border, Levin delivered basic health care to internally displaced people who had fled from violence near their homes.

Following that assignment, Dr. Levin participated in a large-scale response to malnutrition in Maradi, Niger, in 2008. While in Niger he worked in a referring center and intensive care unit for severely malnourished children younger than five. His work involved treating malnutrition and secondary diagnoses such as malaria and respiratory infections, rehydrating patients, and starting them on nutrient-rich therapeutic foods that enabled over 90 percent of them to return home within weeks.

His third mission, ending in June 2011, was a six-month placement in Batangafo, in the Central African Republic, where he was the medical director of a seven-site project which provided health services to populations affected by conflict, neglected diseases, and recurrent epidemics.

While not on assignment with MSF, Dr. Levin works as Coordinator of Obstetrics, Maternity Care and Community Health for the Beth Israel Residency in Urban Family Medicine in New York City, where he teaches and supervises residents and medical students, leads inpatient rounds, delivers babies, and gives lectures. He holds a faculty position with the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Social Medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. He received his bachelor’s degree in History from Brandeis University and received his MD from SUNY-Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. He completed his residency training at the Ramsey Family and Community Medicine Residency Program in St. Paul, Minnesota.

About the Samis Education Center. The center is located adjacent to Children's Hospital (NE 13th & Phillips, basically). The auditorium is beautifully designed for large meetings, educational sessions and other events. It features both conference-style and theatre-style seating as well as state-of-the-art video and communications technology. The auditorium will easily accommodate the crowd we are expecting. It will seat 278 people comfortably -- with 74 seats at the front in a tabletop, conference-style setting. There is additional theatre-style seating at back.

Why RSVP? Parking is an issue at Samis because of patient traffic. Attendees who RSVP in advance will receive additional instructions about getting to Samis, including the best parking options. Please be sure to give yourself plenty of time to arrive.

RSVP now, online ...
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-experience-of-a-doctors-without-borders-volunteer-tickets-19307297647

A Message from UNA-OKC President Priya Desai

“As a part of our chapter’s commitment to assisting with the realization of the UN's Global Goals for Sustainable Development, UNA-OKC is delighted to sponsor Dr. Levin in an effort to share his vast knowledge and unique field experiences with those now entering the health sciences professions. As a Doctors Without Borders’ physician, Dr. Levin provided care to primarily children in the most dire circumstances.

"For the first time in history, recent data indicates that we are gaining in our quest to end the world’s worst aspects of global hunger, poverty, and disease. Much of the credit for these achievements goes to groups like Doctors Without Borders, working in concert with the many entities of the United Nations, being supported by local UNA chapters such as ours.”

--Priya Desai
United Nations Association of the USA
Oklahoma City Chapter
www.una-okc.org

An Encore Presentation

Dr. Levin will deliver a second presentation about his experiences in Doctors Without Borders at the University of Central Oklahoma on Monday, November 9th, at 4pm. For more information about the program at UCO's International House, please see our blog entry, "Doctors Without Borders."

Doctors Without Borders

You're Invited to Hear Dr. Marc Levin Speak
About His Work with Doctors Without Borders
on Monday, November 9th, at UCO in Edmond

Your OKC Chapter of the United Nations Association is proud to announce an appearance by Marc Levin, MD, a family physician, who has completed three field assignments with Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). While not on assignment with MSF, Dr. Levin works as Coordinator of Obstetrics, Maternity Care and Community Health for the Beth Israel Residency in Urban Family Medicine in New York City.

Dr. Marc Levin

Dr. Levin will present a talk about his field experience as it relates to the Global Goals that were recently adopted by the United Nations. He is also expected to address the refugee crisis that presently confronts our global community. The talk is being co-sponsored by the Model UN program at the University of Central Oklahoma, and it will be generously hosted by the International House at UCO.

Date: Monday, November 9, 2015
Time: 4 - 6pm
Location: The UCO International House, 912 Chowning Avenue, Edmond, Oklahoma

*There is limited parking at the International House. Additional parking is available across the street at the football stadium.
For more information about the International House, please see their website, http://www.uco.edu/student-affairs/international-house/index.asp.

The International House at UCO

This event is FREE and open to the public. At 4pm, there will be a "meet & greet" with Dr. Levin. Light refreshments will be provided. Then, at 5pm, his formal presentation will begin. The title of Dr. Levin's talk is "Compassion Knows No Boundaries."

Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization working in dozens of countries to assist people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe. The organization received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 "...in recognition of the organization's pioneering humanitarian work on several continents."

The Nobel Prize Committee describes MSF in this way:

"Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent, neutral and impartial emergency aid organization that was founded in France in 1971. It demands full and unimpeded freedom to carry out its work in accordance with medical ethics and the rights of human beings to humanitarian aid. The organization is a frequent critic of violence and violations of human rights in areas of conflict where it has stationed doctors and aid workers." 

In accepting the Nobel Prize, James Orbinski, president of the MSF International Council, commented:

"Our volunteers and staff live and work among people whose dignity is violated every day. These volunteers choose freely to use their liberty to make the world a more bearable place. Despite grand debates on world order, the act of humanitarianism comes down to one thing: individual human beings reaching out to their counterparts who find themselves in the most difficult circumstances. One bandage at a time, one suture at a time, one vaccination at a time. And, uniquely for Médecins Sans Frontières, working in around 80 countries, over 20 of which are in conflict, telling the world what they have seen. All this in the hope that the cycles of violence and destruction will not continue endlessly."

Christopher Stokes, general director of MSF, inspects
the hospital in Afghanistan that was destroyed by U.S.
bombs earlier this month. 

Earlier this month, an MSF hospital was bombed by American airplanes in Kunduz, Afghanistan. President Obama apologized for the attack, and the commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan said it was a mistake. Christopher Stokes, the general director of MSF, says the bombing should be investigated as a possible war crime.

For more information about MSF, please visit www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

We are so grateful for the members of our UNA-OKC chapter who make it possible for us to bring Dr. Levin to Oklahoma in cooperation with our friends at the University of Central Oklahoma.

The United Nations Association is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization that supports the work of the United Nations and encourages active civic participation in the most important social and economic issues facing the world today. As a local chapter of the nation's largest grassroots foreign policy organization, your UN Association of Greater OKC offers Oklahomans the opportunity to connect with issues confronted by the UN -- from global health and human rights to the spread of democracy, equitable development, and international justice.

Are You a Member Yet?

www.unausa.org/membership

The Silent Auction

Got Your Ticket for "UN70" on Saturday?
Bring Your Checkbook and/or Extra Cash ...
We're Having a Silent Auction! 

When you arrive at the CHK | Central Boathouse on Saturday, please be sure to take a look at our Silent Auction items. You can start browsing as early as 11:30am.

There will be a variety of items -- including the attractive novelty hat shown above. Perfect for Halloween! Frighten your co-workers! 

Other auction items have been contributed by our friends at:

.. The Oklahoma City Dodgers
.. Arbonne (Thank you, Mina Ryan Morgan!)
.. The MakeUp Bar
.. Saturn Grill
.. Taj Cuisine of India

and More! 

Our luncheon will be served buffet style -- with Salad, Chicken Parmesan and Rice Pilaf, Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna, Garlic Bread, and Orange Blossom Cake. We think you will enjoy it!

We're also having some spectacular cultural entertainment, arranged by our friends at the World Experiences Foundation.

We can't thank you enough for choosing to be part of our UN70 Celebration.

See you on Saturday! 

Our Venue on Saturday

Our UN70 Celebration will be Held
at the CHK | Central Boathouse
on the Oklahoma River. 

It's a new location in Oklahoma City, and it's easy to find. It's in the Boathouse District on the Oklahoma River, right next to the Devon Boathouse. The address is:

732 RIVERSPORT Dr.
Oklahoma City, OK 73129

The Boathouse District.

The CHK | Central Boathouse serves as the home of UCO Women's Rowing Team. It was constructed with generous gifts from Chesapeake Energy company, MidFirst Bank, and other donors. It opened its doors to the public in April of this year.

The CHK | Central venue shouldn't be confused with the Chesapeake Boathouse which is located close-by, just west of the Lincoln Avenue bridge.

Our venue is on Riversport Drive, which lies east of Lincoln. The following map gives you a sense of where the Boathouse District is located.

You can reach Lincoln Avenue from either Reno (to the north) or Southeast 15th Street (to the south).

The CHK | Central Boathouse isn't just for boating. The building features the Martha Burger Art Gallery, the C. Hubert Gragg Shell Gallery, and the MidFirst Bank Performance Hall. It also includes space for office areas, reception areas, concessions, a green room, a conference space, and an indoor rowing space.

The multi-functional nature of the building establishes it as a unique presence “where art meets the river.” (That's from the website of the CHK | Central Boathouse ... http://boathousedistrict.org/boathouse-district-about/chkcentral-boathouse/)

We think you will enjoy the architecture and athleticism of the entire Boathouse District.

Our program will begin promptly at 12 Noon on Saturday, October 24th. You can begin checking in as early as 11:30am.

A Note about Navigation

We love Google Maps. We love the convenience of onboard GPS systems. But, here's something we have learned from experience. You can't always rely on Google Maps to be accurate -- particularly when you're looking for an address that wasn't in existence 12 months ago.

We noticed that EventBrite (our automated online ticket agent) sent out a map that was just plain wrong. If you bought your ticket online, don't try to follow the map on the message you got from Eventbrite. You will be disappointed in the results.

Rather, refer to the map above. It is guaranteed to be correct!

In case of directional challenges, you can call the Boathouse District office for guidance: 405-552-4040.

The Power of Common Vision

UCO President Don Betz has called the construction of the CHK|Central Boathouse the next step in a fulfillment of a dream and a demonstration of the power of common vision, collaboration and generosity. Hmmm ... Those sound like UN values, don't they?

“The grand opening of the CHK | Central Boathouse will be a very special day for Central and the metro community,” said UCO President Don Betz when the boathouse opened last April. “UCO is proud and excited to be part of the growing story of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and we look forward to celebrating the years of work and collaboration that have gone into making the dream of Central’s boathouse a reality.”

The Ticket Window is Closing

In the Next Several Hours, the Limit on Ticket Sales
for "UN70" will be Reached ... The Ticket Window
will be Closed ... Have You Reserved Your Seat? 

Online Ticket Sales for "UN70" Have Now Closed. 

If you are planning to come to the UN70 Celebration on Saturday at the CHK | Central Boathouse, please make sure to buy your ticket(s) before the ticket window closes. The hours are ticking down. We can't guarantee that seats will be available after today.

For a short time, a limited numbers of ticket remain at three price levels:

Regular Tickets ... $35
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/un70-luncheon-in-okc-tickets-18698591992

Friends of Priya ... $25
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/un70-with-priya-desai-tickets-19132160808

Friends of Michelle ... $25
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/un70-with-michelle-rodriguez-tickets-19136048436

Student Tickets ... $10 (what a bargain!)
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/student-ticket-for-un70-tickets-18707475563

Regardless of the price level you choose, you will enjoy our UN70 event. It will include a nice luncheon, with good food (including a vegetarian option). You'll be surrounded by nice, friendly people who support the values of the United Nations just like you do. Plus, you'll hear an inspiring message from Mr. Mike Beard of the UN Foundation and the Better World Campaign. We'll be helping to launch the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

Model UN promotes problem solving, critical thinking,
teamwork and communication skills.

Proceeds from our UN70 event will help to support your OKC Chapter of the UN Association. Our programs and activities are designed to benefit our community right here in Oklahoma. For example, our chapter supports local Model UN simulations, which serve to promote global education, team building, and critical thinking skills. We bring thoughtful panel discussions and special speakers to our community. (Next month, we're bringing a speaker from Doctors Without Borders -- more details on that soon!). Our programs help our community to celebrate peace, human rights, global health, and more.

We inform, inspire, and mobilize the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. (See more at: http://www.unausa.org/about-us)

We hope you can join us on Saturday for UN70. If not, then please plan to attend one of our other events during the year -- Human Rights Day, Nelson Mandela Day, etc.

Don't want to miss out on an upcoming event? Join our email list, managed by Constant Contact.

Thanks! 

Want to Support Your Local United Nations Association, But Can't Attend our UN Day Luncheon on Saturday? 

If you support the goals of the UN Charter, please consider making a donation to your OKC Chapter of the United Nations Association.

Find out how at our blog post, "Support Your Local Chapter."

Better yet, please consider becoming a member of the United Nations Association. When you join, a portion of your membership dues support your local OKC chapter. Find out more about the benefits of membership here ....

http://unausa.org/membership

Thank you!