Rotary Club of Lake Placid
|
Rotary Club of Lake Placid
|
FROM
LAKE PLACID TO THE UNITED NATIONS. Nov.
4,
2006
Two
Lake Placid High School Students (Rt) Attended United Nations Conference in New
York City organized by Rotary International.
United Nations, November 4, 2006. It
was a beautiful Saturday morning in New York City when delegates from across the
U.S. and 44 foreign countries gathered for an annual Rotary International
Conference at the United Nations. Among 1250 participants were also two Lake
Placid residents. Charles Puerner, 17, and Owen Rand, 16, both students at Lake
Placid High School won this year Lake Placid Rotary International Youth Award.
The Award is presented by the Lake Placid Rotary Club to outstanding young
individuals with strong academic performance and profound interest in
international relations. The award included a 2-day trip to New York City and
attendance at the international conference at the United Nations.
Charles
Puerner and Owen Rand had unique opportunity to visit the United Nations
Headquarters and participate in panel discussions featuring leaders and
officials from the United Nations, UN Affiliated Non Governmental Organizations
(NGO’s) and Rotary International. Together
with approximately 300 students from the U.S. and abroad, they experienced first
hand the variety of projects the United Nations is involved around the world.
Sitting in the seats used by the representatives of individual U.N. countries,
students participated in presentations and panel discussions
about key humanitarian issues that face world community today such as hunger,
water, health, and literacy.
At
the beginning of the conference, Ahmed AL Haddad, President of the 61st
Session of U.N. General Assembly presented participants with special greetings
from Kofi Annan, the U.N. Secretary General. Among the distinguished speakers
were Helene-Marie Gosselin, Director of UNESCO, Oscar Avalle, World Bank
representative to the U.N., and Margareta Wahlstrom, Assistant Secretary-General
for Humanitarian Affairs.
“My understanding of the U.N. has actually changed a bit after this trip” explained Charles Puerner at the conclusion of the conference, “Now, I can see that the U.N. really emphasizes on humanitarian needs of the world today. My prior understanding was that the U.N. only tried to keep peace and resolve regional military conflicts.” During the lunch break, Charles Puerner and Owen Rand had a chance to tour the United Nations Headquarters. It was a rare opportunity for these two North Country students to see and feel where the nations leaders meet for the General Assembly, and members of the U.N. Security Council conduct their regular sessions. Luckily, the Security Council did not have to face any emergencies this weekend (as it happened several weeks ago, when North Korea tested its nuclear bomb), their seats were empty and Charles Puerner and Owen Rand were able to enter the Security Council Chamber. “It was very emotional experience to stand inside the room and see the round table where 15 members of the Security Council meet.” said Owen Rand. “You know this place from the TV news, but when you see it with your own eyes, it is much smaller and has a special atmosphere.”
The
Conference at the United Nations was part of the efforts of the Rotary
International to promote better understanding of the humanitarian problems our
world is facing today. Educating young people about the humanitarian needs
today, will bring better results for the world tomorrow.
Yuri J. Gaspar
President, Rotary Club of Lake Placid
(518)
523-5817
