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Representing Atlanta at the 2023 United for Impact, Leadership Summit

6/11/2023

1 Comment

 
by Tracy Gray, VP of Advocacy
The 2023 United for Impact, Leadership Summit, and Capitol Hill Lobby Day was an empowering and transformative experience for the UNA-Atlanta members. Representing the Atlanta Chapter in Washington, DC, June 4th through June 6th, we joined 250 UNA-USA volunteer members from across the nation; we joined forces to advocate for total funding of the United Nations, Peacekeeping, the UN Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG), and World Refugee Day. This significant event united us in our shared vision for a better world.

​Joining 250 UNA-USA members from around the nation representing 200,000 members included attendees from UNA-ATL, Dr. Selen Beduk, President, UNA-ATL; Tracy Gray, VP of Advocacy; Ikoie Norman, VP of Fundraising; Emmanuel Adeyemi, Member, and Caleb Outlar, Student Member.
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From Left to Right: Emmanuel Adeyemi (UNA-ATL), Rachel Pittman (Executive Director, UNA-USA), Dr. Selen Beduk (UNA-ATL), Tracy Gray (UNA-ATL)
During the Summit, our Atlanta delegation was privileged to engage in positive and constructive meetings with Legislative Appropriation Aids of esteemed representatives and senators. We met with the Appropriations staff of Rep. Rich McCormick (R), GA-06, Rep. Nikema Williams (D), GA-05, Rep. David Scott (D), GA-13, Sen. John Ossoff (D), GA, and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D), GA. Through these meetings, we passionately conveyed the importance of their senators and representatives supporting the United Nations and Peacekeeping initiatives, sharing compelling facts and success stories.

​The overwhelming support from the American public inspired our advocacy efforts. According to recent surveys, 69% of voters believe the UN is still crucial today, and 74% agree that the U.S. should collaborate with allies and international organizations to achieve foreign policy goals. These statistics reinforce our conviction that our advocacy work is making a difference.
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Meeting with Congressman Nikema Williams Representative.
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From Left to Right: US Rep. Rich McCormick; Caleb Outlar, UNA-ATL Student Member; Emmanuel Adeyemi, UNA-ATL Member; Tracy Gray, UNA-ATL VP of Advocacy
We highlighted the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping missions, which have been proven to reduce violence and save civilian lives during civil wars. These missions are eight times more cost-effective than deploying U.S. troops and foster global burden-sharing, with contributions from over 120 countries. We reminded our representatives that the U.S. provides only 35 soldiers out of more than 73,000 personnel, emphasizing the need for increased support.

We shared success stories demonstrating the impact of UN initiatives. For instance, through the UN-led Black Sea Grain Initiative, over 30 million tons of grain and agricultural products have been delivered, benefiting countries from Kenya to Bangladesh. Additionally, global efforts, spearheaded by the U.S. and UN agencies, have produced over 1.85 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses in 146 countries. These achievements exemplify the tangible outcomes that can be realized through our collective action.

​
To encourage our UNA-ATL members to continue advocating and contacting their Congressional Representatives, I offer the following inspiring words that apply to our Atlanta Chapter Members United for Impact by the 2023 UNA-USA Leadership Summit:
  1. "There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." — Beverly Sills
  2. "It's not about perfect. It's about effort." — Jillian Michaels
  3. "Believe you can, and you're halfway there." — Theodore Roosevelt
  4. "You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them." — Michael Jordan
  5. "Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." — John Wooden 
Let these words remind us that our efforts are vital and impactful. Together, we can shape a future where peace, justice, and sustainable development prevail. As we continue our advocacy journey, let us draw inspiration from the Summit's success and the power we hold as advocates for positive change.
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From Left to Right: Abby Finkenauer, United States Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues; Tracy Gray, UNA-ATL VP of Advocacy
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From Left to Right: Christopher Lu, Ambassador to the United Nations; Tracy Gray, UNA-ATL VP of Advocacy 
1 Comment
Mohammed Ahar link
10/27/2023 10:37:02 am


Hi,
sir Ahar Nake Name Kyaw Win Story or Biography lifestyle #
(1), With due respect and honor,My name is Mohammed Ahar/ Azher Nake Name Kyaw Win.My Father's name is Salim Ullah and mother's name is Setara Bagom.I am seventeen years old student.I state that I am a Rohingya Refugee who recently lived at the largest Refugee camp at Bangladesh.When I have been studying grade-5 in 2017 in Myanmar Post- Primary School Gaw Du Thar Yar village, Township of Maung Daw, State in Arkan,with attached student identity card ,Our Military government. who were government of Myanmar all regions and states, They planned systematic for Rohingya to stop education on learning and free living.Finally in 2017, They started to clear operation named for Rohingya but it was just burning houses and many children burnt so that we rohingya leave from our original country across Myanmar to Bangladesh to rescue and save our lives.We are the most unfortunate people on earth.There is no freedom of movement for Rohingya.I have not completed higher Education because Military government restriction for all Rohingya men and Women to access for higher education and I had stopped on the way of graduation.
(2) After a few years later Myanmar government did not allowed to attend University un progress. They had given restrictions for all Rohingya Community. I am a Rohingya student of Myanmar a focal point to understand the resident of Myanmar not only for Refugee and displacement issues but aaso sustaiable solution.I am a native resident and legal people of Arkan in Myanmar.I am already Full-Fledged citizen of Myanmar.
(3)Although I studied and passed Grade-5 to Grade-8 successfully at Kayapuri High School Bangldesh Refugee Camp in 2020. Moreover,we Rohingya students became lack of opportunities and the government in Bangldesh have not allowed to access higher education on their nation. This is Why I need to be blind with opened eyes? My father is a teacher who encouraged and sent me across Bangladesh to Yangon to study my career of grade-9 at Minglatawn High school and also studied and passed Computer Courses(KMD)Minglar Taung Nyun Centre in May 2023 in Yangon which had been attacched below file.I continous studied hardly my career unfortunately some one had given my illegal access class fact to Yangon Military government they were tried to arrest me but not success.Thus,I come from here to study my career Fortunately having heard near my community people UNHCR provide the opportunity is rewarding the Scholarship for World refugee student to access education and also provided Registeration card for refugee student.

(4) camp is very serious where have continously doing economical, physical, Neglected, exploitation,Kids Knife, haressment, killing people or all Violences etc alredy exist.My family have seven members. I have four brothers and one sister.There is no social justice for Rohingya camp.Refugee can't travel from one place to another without permit.Refugee can't marry freely without permit.Refugee can't learn higher education freely in progress without permit.So, Human right violation is many morein refugee camp.In refugee camp, my family can't stay safety Secuirity. There top pessisimses arrested my father and touchered verious kinds his all body injuried many wounds without case discriminantly.Nobody rescued my father when they were killing in refugee camp-9. So, I Therefore requeted that to give a safe place to stay my family and me according to your guideline Respectfully.

5) By the way in 1997 to Still 2017 Myanmar Millitary government genocided to us which was applied to ICJ will be deciding a final solution on the future.Authority of Burma did not operate law to Issues citizenship card those who met native category but promulgated 1949 resident Registration Rule.We Rohingya had gotten temprary Identity card was lined (TIC/TRC)so called white card was lined with article 13 of 1951 resident Registration Rule for a time period limit.In 1999 last 16 years ago we Rohingya people had gotten a green card or receipt card by an operation which they had given white card kept controlled from Rohingya people. My family parents holding a green card from Myanmar Military government.
(6)Otherwise it is the opportunity for my career to study higher education in progress and ask request Refugee Registration card on your world refugee child right categories on UNHCR.It is my time to achieve of study but due to lack of access for i had to wait for a long time to get Registration card as a refugee children on UNHCR.
I therefore humbly requested to get my Registration UNHCR card as a Rohingya refugee card.I hope that it will use on my refugee life necessarily if provide me kindly.Thanks.
With best Wishes,
Your Scincerly
Malaysia Ahar& Kyaw Win
Juhor Bahru come date ; 20/12/2021 Contact number ; +601161713258
+601478

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