Human Trafficking Awareness in OKC

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Oklahoma City, OK -- The Oklahoma Human Trafficking Task Force (OKHTTF) will observe National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month by increasing awareness and honoring victims of human trafficking during the week of January 19th-24th.

Activities include presentations at local schools, screenings of the documentary film Nefarious, and a candlelight vigil in honor and remembrance of human trafficking victims and survivors.

"It surprises people that there’s actually a very large number of slaves in the world today -– our best estimate is 27 million and that is defining a slave in a very narrow way; … we’re talking about people who are controlled by violence, who cannot walk away, who are being held against their will, who are paid nothing."
-- Kevin Bales, Co-Founder of Free the Slaves

January 19th & Jan 21st

Public screening of Nefarious, a documentary on the impact of human trafficking

- Sunday, January 19th at 6:00pm, Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene, 4400 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City

- Tuesday, January 21st at 4:00pm, Sauced on Paseo, 2912 Paseo Drive, Oklahoma City

January 21st to Jan 25th

Lighting of the Oklahoma City Sky Bridge in the human trafficking theme color (blue) in observance of human trafficking awareness

January 21st & Jan 22nd

Presentations at local schools to raise awareness by Beautiful Dream Society and No Boundaries International.

January 24th

Candlelight Vigil with a reading of Governor Mary Fallin’s Proclamation (PDF) at 6:30pm at the Oklahoma Bar Association, 1901 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City.


Events are organized by the Oklahoma Human Trafficking Task Force, a multi-agency collaborative working to implement an effective victim centered response to the crime of human trafficking in Oklahoma, to bring awareness to the public and to make an impact throughout our communities in order to better the lives of human trafficking survivors and prevent future victims.

For more information, contact Debi Mangrum (405-513-5453) at No Boundaries International.

Human Trafficking is a Crime that Shames Us All

Read about how the United Nations has been the global leader in defining and organizing efforts to prevent and suppress the crime of human trafficking in all its dimensions. Our UNA-OKC website has a good description of the international Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons as well as links to more information and resources. Link to our page HERE.

Girls Count

An Opportunity for
You to Take Action

In the time and place where we live, the registration of live births is taken for granted. A child is born; a birth certificate is recorded.

Why do we do this? Because, when births are recorded promptly and accurately, doors are opened. Opportunity is enhanced. A birth certificate is the child's guarantee of access to education, health, and social services. Later in life, they will be able to vote, work, and own property.

But, in some parts of the world, not all births are recorded.

In fact, by some estimates, 200 million children lack an official identity, name, and nationality. This makes them vulnerable to a range of abuses -- human trafficking, child labor, illegal adoption, etc.

So, here's an opportunity for action.

Representative Steve Chabot (Ohio) has introduced a bill in Congress -- "The Girls Count Act" -- and it needs your help. The UN Foundation has set up an online petition so you can record your support for the bill. Here's the Take Action LINK.

Basically, the Girls Count Act is about registering the birth of every child who is born in the world -- especially girls. The Girls Count Act would authorize the Secretary of State to direct a portion of U.S. foreign assistance to help ensure that all girls are counted and have access to birth certificates and other necessary documentation.

The bill doesn't require the expenditure of additional funds. It simply authorizes existing funds to be spent for this special purpose of protecting a vulnerable population.

This is how our friends at the Girl Up Campaign describe the need:

"Why Count Girls?

"Approximately one person in twelve around the world is a girl or young woman aged 10 - 24. Yet many developing countries do not account for the number of girls in their population. Due to an unavailability of systems to count these girls, and sometimes simply due to a lack of political will, girls will be denied birth certificates or other forms of official identification.  This means that as a girl grows up it will be difficult, if not impossible, for her to attend school or get a job in the formal business sector. She will not be able to own her own or inherit land, start her own business, or vote. She will likely be confined to the home and left unpaid – an invisible member of society."

Currently, the Girls Count Act has 9 co-sponsors. It has been assigned to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. We want to ask our Members of Congress from Oklahoma to become co-sponsors.

You can find more information about the Girls Count Act on the "Girl Up" blog.

Article 6 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that, "Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law."

One of the basic ways that we protect this right is by recording the birth of every child -- guaranteeing that their identity is recognized by the community in which they live.

Please express your support for the "Girls Count" Act ... Thanks!

One in Three Children Under Five
Does Not Officially Exist - UNICEF

On December 11th, UNICEF (the United Nations Childrens Fund) released a new report showing that the births of nearly 230 million children under age five have never been registered. That's about one in three of all children under five around the world.

“Birth registration is more than just a right. It’s how societies first recognize and acknowledge a child’s identity and existence,” said Geeta Rao Gupta, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director. “Birth registration is also key to guaranteeing that children are not forgotten, denied their rights or hidden from the progress of their nations.”

The new report, "Every Child’s Birth Right: Inequities and in Birth Registration," (PDF) collects statistical analysis spanning 161 countries and presents the latest available country data and estimates on birth registration.

UNICEF is using innovative approaches to support governments and communities in strengthening their civil and birth registration systems.

READ MORE

A Network of Mutual Support

"UN Women" is a Recommended
Resource for Oklahoma Women

A year ago at this time, your OKC Chapter of the UN Association was telling the story of how Oklahomans of all kinds benefit from the knowledge resources of the United Nations. We described how UN reports, journals, data sets, etc., are used by libraries, businesses, and public sector professionals at the state and local level. (For example, see our previous blog entries here, here, here, and here).

We're still telling the story. Recently, we came across another example of how UN resources are serving to support the mission of an important office of state government. This latest example comes from the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women.

The Commission on the Status of Women has a long history in our state. It was originally established by executive order of Governor Henry Bellmon in 1965. Members of the commission advised the Governor on the problem of gender bias and key quality of life issues facing Oklahoma women and their families. Succeeding governors followed Mr. Bellmon's example.

In 1994, the Oklahoma Legislature formally recognized the value of the Governor's Commission. The Legislature voted to establish the commission in law and to give it additional duties. Since then, the members of the Commission have been appointed by the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, and the Speaker of the State House of Representatives.

Lou Kohlman,
Chair of OCSW

Today, pursuant to state law, the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women has specific powers and duties. For example, the Commission:

1. Advises state agencies and employees on issues relating to gender bias;
2. Monitors proposed legislation;
3. Acts as a resource and a clearinghouse for research on issues related to women and gender bias;
4. Conducts meetings and seminars to support the goals and duties of the Commission; and
5. Makes an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature.

Every two years, the Commission organizes a Women's Summit. It also coordinates the activities of the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame.

Being an advocacy organization for gender equity, the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women maintains a list of several dozen online resources. Some of these resources are listed on the Commission's website.

Among the list of resources recommended by the Commission is this one:

"UNIFEM" is the name of the old United Nations agency that for more than 30 years was primarily responsible for promoting women's rights and gender equity. "UNIFEM" is an acronym for the United Nations Development Fund for Women.

In January 2011, UNIFEM was merged into UN Women, which today stands as the UN system's flagship entity for promoting the empowerment of women and the elimination of discrimination against women and girls.

(The website of the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women needs to be updated to reflect the new nomenclature that is used by the United Nations. Even so, the link on the Commission's website transfers directly and seamlessly to the UN Women website)

This is direct, documented evidence of a state agency recognizing the value of the United Nations to the people of Oklahoma -- especially people who have a concern for gender equity and women's empowerment.

A year ago, when we were struggling to oppose a number of anti-UN bills in the Oklahoma Legislature, we tried to point out the intricate, inter-related nature of the global society in which we live.

As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said, "We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. And whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly." 

It is impossible to stop the flow of knowledge and ideas, which inevitably find a way to permeate the boundaries of nations.

The best course of action for any entity -- a nation, a state, a city, or an individual -- is to seek knowledge from all sources; to test that knowledge based on experience; and to adopt and apply it where it is appropriate to one's own unique needs and circumstances.

For people around the globe, the United Nations is recognized as a leading source of knowledge and information on a wide range of issues related to gender equity, human rights, and the empowerment of women and girls.

So, from our perspective, it makes perfect sense for the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women to recommend UN Women as a resource for Oklahoma citizens. We are, after all, part of the global fabric, inhabiting a world-wide network of mutual support.

As members of the United Nations Association of the USA, we appreciate the good work and valuable contributions of the UN system. Our mission is to promote constructive American leadership in that system. And we are dedicated to educating, inspiring, and mobilizing Americans in support of the goals of the United Nations Charter.

Join us!

Did you know?

Hannah Atkins, UN Supporter

Inductees into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame include two women who had strong connections to the United Nations. One of the very first inductees was Hannah Diggs Atkins, a former State Representative and Secretary of State who also served as the president of our Oklahoma City chapter of the UN Association for a number of years. Additionally, Jeane Kirkpatrick was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1984. Ambassador Kirkpatrick is the namesake of our chapter's advocacy committee -- the Jeane Kirkpatrick Society.

Nelson Mandela, an Exemplary Global Citizen

The members of the United Nations Association are saddened by the death of Nelson Mandela.

 

For 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity — as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker, and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.

 

Twenty years ago, before his election to the presidency of South Africa, Nelson Mandela spoke to the General Assembly of the United Nations.

 

He commented about the long struggle to end the system of apartheid:

 

"We have, together, walked a very long road. We have travelled together to reach a common destination.

 

"The common destination towards which we have been advancing defines the very reason for the existence of this world Organisation.

 

"The goal we have sought to reach is the consummation of the yearning of all humankind for human dignity and human fulfilment.

 

"For that reason, we have been outraged and enraged that there could be imposed on any people the criminal system of apartheid.

 

"Each and every one of us have felt our humanity denied by the mere existence of this system. Each and every one of us have felt brandished as sub-human by the fact that some could treat of others as though they were no more than disposable garbage.

 

"In the end, there was nobody of conscience who could stand by and do nothing in the search for an end to the apartheid crime against humanity.

 

"We are here today to convey to you, who are the representatives of the peoples of the world, the profound gratitude of the people of South Africa for your engagement, over the decades, in the common struggle to end the system of apartheid.

 

"We are deeply moved by the fact that almost from its birth, this Organisation has kept on its agenda the vital question of the liquidation of the system of apartheid and white minority rule in our country.

 

"Throughout the many years of struggle, we, as South Africans, have been greatly inspired and strengthened as you took action both severally and collectively, to escalate your offensive against apartheid rule, as the white minority regime itself took new steps in its own offensive further to entrench its illegitimate rule and draw tribute from those it had enslaved.

 

"In particular, we are most grateful for the measures that the United Nations, the OAU, the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement, the European Community and other intergovernmental organisations took to isolate apartheid South Africa.

 

"We are deeply appreciative of similar initiatives that individual countries, non-governmental organisations, local communities and even single individuals took, as part of their contribution to the common effort to deny the apartheid system all international sustenance.

 

"This global struggle, perhaps without precedent in the inestimable number of people it united around one common issue, has helped decisively to bring us to where we are today...."

 

In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared that July 18th should be celebrated around the world as "Nelson Mandela International Day" in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom. It is the only international day recognized by the United Nations that is named for an individual person.

 

In establishing Nelson Mandela Day, the General Assembly was intentional in recognizing Nelson Mandela’s values and his dedication to the service of humanity in the fields of conflict resolution, race relations, the promotion and protection of human rights, reconciliation, gender equality and the rights of children and the poor.

 

The members of the Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association mourn the passing of a great leader in the promotion of peace throughout the world.

 

In so many ways, the completed life of Nelson Mandela is an example of the highest values of the United Nations.

 

# # #

 

For more information on the UN's efforts to overcome apartheid, please see this webpage:

"The United Nations: Partner in the Struggle against Apartheid"

www.un.org/en/events/mandeladay/apartheid.shtml

 

For a copy of the General Assembly resolution designating July 18th as Nelson Mandela International Day, please see here:

www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/64/13

 

2013 Human Rights Award Winners

Recipients to Be Honored 
at the Oklahoma State Capitol
on Tuesday, December 10th 



We're pleased to share the winners of this year's Human Rights Award, as announced by the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance (Chair, Wallace Collins).

The 2013 recipients are:

Father Don Wolf

Father Don Wolf ... Parish priest and advocate for immigration reform.


R.L. Doyle ... Juvenile justice advocate and chair of the OKC Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Coalition.


Nathaniel Batchelder ... Director of Oklahoma City's Peace House.

Mary Francis

Mary Francis ... Grassroots activist with widespread interests including voting rights, community radio, children & families, and more.



Jody Harlan ... Champion for people with disabilities, environmental justice and the humane treatment of animals. She is a recipient of the OKC Disability Award given by the Oklahoma City Mayor's Committee on Disability Concerns.

Rey Madrid

Rey Madrid ... A youth development professional with the Eagle Ridge Institute of Oklahoma City.

Ted Metscher ... Former teacher and former president of the OKC chapter of the American Federation of Teachers.



Amber Bighorse ... After studying human rights law in South Africa and at Oklahoma City University, Amber Bighorse has gone on to advance the cause of human rights through her service to the people of the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma (as a staff attorney and Lieutenant Governor). She is an advocate for marriage equality.

Amber Bighorse

Rev. Milton Combs ... Civil rights and human rights advocate from Oklahoma City.

"All these distinguished individuals have long track records in Human and Civil Rights. Join us in honoring them." 
--Wilfredo Santosrivera,
Alliance Member

The presentation of the 2013 awards will take place at the Oklahoma State Capitol on International Human Rights Day -- Tuesday, December 10th. The program will commence at 10 am in the chamber of the House of Representatives, followed by lunch in the 4th Floor Rotunda.

To enjoy lunch with the honorees and their guests, please RSVP for your reservation as soon as possible. Call Wil Rivera at (405) 631-3027.

Our chapter of the UN Association will provide free copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to everyone who attends -- while supplies last.

Building a Shared Future

"The story of America is about the actualization of freedom." 

Dr. Don Betz offered this comment to illustrate the values of the United Nations as they are expressed in the UN Millennium Declaration. He encouraged his listeners to compare the fundamental values of the United Nations to the goals and aspirations of all Americans.

The fundamental goals of the UN, Dr. Betz said, are Freedom, Equality, Solidarity, Tolerance, Respect for Nature, and Shared Responsibility.

"The world has said these are our priorities as an international community," Betz observed. He went on to describe the progress that has been made since the adoption of the Millennium Declaration in the year 2000.

Dr. Betz was speaking at our UN Day luncheon at the University of Central Oklahoma. About 50 members and friends of the United nations Association gathered to enjoy a good meal, excellent company, and a timely message delivered by the president of the university.

The UN Millennium Development Goals were launched in 2000, the result of an international development conference convened by the UN General Assembly. The launch of the "MDG's" has been described as "...the most effective anti-poverty campaign in history."

Dr. Betz offered a thumbnail sketch of the progress that has been made so far:

On Goal Number 1 -- the UN's goal to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger -- the UN has scored a "huge global win." Extreme poverty rates have been cut in half since 1990.

Reporting on Goal Number 2 (focused on the achievement of universal primary education), Dr. Betz noted that enrollment in primary education in developing regions of the world has reached 90%.

On a related goal -- Goal Number 3, to promote gender equality and empower women -- Betz reported that, with only a few exceptions, the world has achieved equality in primary education between girls and boys.

A complete report on the success of the MDG's can be found on the UN's website.

"These are astonishing statistics that you don't read on the front page of the newspaper," Dr. Betz commented.

He outlined the progress that has been made on each of the UN's 8 Millennium Development Goals -- measures which deal broadly with health, education, poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, and promoting a global partnership for development.

President Betz acknowledged that the UN has been able to achieve these successes -- but only with the help of others.

In this regard, he described the UN's relative weakness as an international organization. It has no army. It has only a meager budget. It is dependent on contributions from its 193 member nations.

Moreover, it relies on support from thousands of international non-governmental organizations (NGO's) which have sprung up over the course of decades. The Millennium Declaration expresses the UN's resolve, "...To develop strong partnerships with the private sector and with civil society organizations in pursuit of development and poverty eradication."

Despite the UN's relative weakness, the men and women of the UN are empowered by a common vision which is the realization of two axioms:

<> None of us are smarter than all of us; and

<> All of us are in it together.

Taken together, these thoughts form the fundamental precept of the United Nations.

"We are inextricably interwoven" with the rest of the world, Dr. Betz said. Our lives and our fortunes are tied up with the lives and fortunes of the people who co-habit our planet.

And, even though the UN is a human institution (with inevitable human foibles and failings), it continues to represent our best hope for the future.

In introducing his topic, Dr. Betz recalled a quote from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881 - 1955), a French scientist and philosopher:

"The Age of Nations is passed. If we are not to perish, we must set aside our ancient prejudices and build the Earth." 

Each of us is part of the effort to create a shared future, based on our common humanity in all its diversity.

For more news about the world's progress on meeting the MDG's, see the website of the UN Millennium Campaign ... www.endpoverty2015.org/

The Best Reason

   

What's the best reason to attend our UN Day Luncheon next Saturday (October 26) in Edmond? 

I think it's the people. 

I've often said that you won't find a better group of folks anywhere in our state.

Here's how Dorothy Messenger describes her appreciation for the people of our chapter of the UN Association:

"There are many things I like about being a member of our chapter.  I appreciate the fact that its membership includes persons of many ethnic backgrounds and persons of different religious faiths.  The membership is inter-generational and represents a variety of vocations and opinions.  

"I’m grateful that the UNA-USA affords me an opportunity to become better informed about the activities of the United Nations and the whole world scene.  It’s good to be a part of an organization where all the members obviously share a love of our nation and of the world and want to have a part in helping our nation to live up to its highest ideals."

(You can read Dorothy's complete message, "The Long View," on our blog).

I hope you'll choose to enjoy a good meal and great company with us next Saturday, October 26th.

If you haven't reserved a seat, there is still time to complete your registration. (And now we've made it easy to pay for your tickets online). Tickets are reasonably priced at $20 / each; Students pay $10.

(Sorry -- The registration book for this event has closed)

Here's the link for more information:

www.una-okc.blogspot.com/2013/09/our-un-day-luncheon-youre-invited.html

But, hurry ... The registration book is scheduled to close on Monday. 

Here's another thought from Dorothy:

"Being a member of the UNA-USA is extremely important to me because it makes me feel I am part of a huge, centuries-old movement of humankind, a movement of people who are convinced that there are better ways than war for settling national disputes."  

I hope to see you next Saturday at UCO in Edmond! 

Bill Bryant
Communications Director
Greater Oklahoma City Chapter
United Nations Association of the USA

Why Do You Support the United Nations Association?

We asked our Oklahoma members and friends.
Here is a sampling of what they said ....
www.una-okc.org/values.html