Misperceptions and Untruths about the United Nations Subject of UN Day Presentations

Ryan Kaminski, shown here with a young Burmese refugee, determined to devote his career to bettering Human Rights after working on the Free Burma project as an undergraduate student.

The Golden Empire Chapter of the United Nations Association (UNA) will observe UN Day with two presentations from the UNA USA delegate to the Human Rights Council, Ryan Kaminski, in Grass Valley on Saturday October 27. Kaminski will deliver his address “Setting the Record Straight, How the United Nations Supports U.S. Interests “ at the Unity in the Gold Country Spiritual Center, 180 Cambridge Court, Grass Valley at 2:30PM and the Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains, 246 S. Church St, Grass Valley at 7:00 PM. UN Day is the annual celebration of the founding of the UN in 1947.

The American public is frequently exposed to misinformation and false attacks about the United Nations. Ryan Kaminski will address some of the most common criticisms and misconceptions of the United Nations and highlight many of the UN activities that are clearly in the interest of the US. The talk will also feature a preview of critical events of the current General Assembly and the U.N. Human Rights Council.

“Agenda 21 is another perfect example,” according to Kaminski of the type if inaccuracies spread about the UN. “You hear how [Agenda 21] will do a lot of really terrible things…but if you look at what has really happened since the General Assembly endorsed it in the 1990s there really hasn’t been any outcomes approaching the fear-mongering quotations and predictions.” Kaminski is promising to discuss the non-legally binding development principles that are the basis of Agenda 21 which are a very broad set of guidelines, not the architecture of a one world government.

Kaminski, 27, who holds a Master’s Degree from the Columbia University School of International Affairs, was awarded a fellowship in 2011 by the national UNA organization to promote constructive U.S. engagement with the United Nations and its human rights mechanisms. Kaminski became a strong proponent of UN actions in support of human rights and refugee relief after witnessing first-hand the plight of refugees fleeing Myanmar (Burma) in 2007.

A suggested $10 donation will be requested from attendees to help support the local Golden Empire Chapter of UNA and the congregations of Unity and the Unitarian churches. For additional information contact Rodney Raub of GEUNA at 432-7752 or r.d.raub@att.net