Better World Campaign Builds Support, Understanding for UN Efforts.

In September 1997, businessman and philanthropist R. E. (Ted) Turner made an historic gift of $1 billion in support of the United Nations and its global goals. He chose to channel his global commitment toward the United Nations because it remains the primary international forum for peace and progress.

To administer the gift, to be funded in 10 annual installments valued at $100 million each, the United Nations Foundation (UNF) and its sister organization--the Better World Fund (BWF)--were created to support the United Nations goals and objectives, with special emphasis on economic, social, environmental and humanitarian causes, and its efforts on behalf of the environment, population stabilization and children's health. BWF promotes the United Nations and supports activities designed to educate the global public about United Nations work, its importance in the world and its proud record of accomplishments.

During the first 12 months of operation, primary emphasis was placed on the establishment of UNF's grant-making programme in support of UN development assistance efforts on key global challenges--children's health, population and women, and the environment.

In 1999, while the grant-making programme has been expanded and fundraising initiatives have begun, special efforts have been made through BWF to "tell the UN story". Most importantly, the Better World Campaign (BWC), a BWF programmatic initiative, was launched in early 1999 to help educate the public and leaders in the United States about the important work of the United Nations.

Special emphasis and urgency have been given to the issue of United States arrears to the United Nations and the importance of all nations honouring their commitments to the Organization. The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) has been a special partner in the campaign, given its long-standing leadership in grass-roots public education.

Together with UNA-USA and organizations like the Emergency Coalition for Financial Support of the United Nations, BWC worked to bring nationwide attention to the issue of the United States' debt to the United Nations and the vital role played by the United Nations around the world. These efforts included broad-based outreach in various locations across the country, educational efforts aimed at policy makers in the United States Administration and Congress, paid advertising about the UN role and accomplishments, and an array of events highlighting key UN activities. In addition, extensive outreach was done to editorial boards across the United States, led by Tim Wirth, President of UNF/BWF, and Bill Luers, President of UNA-USA.

To help inform campaign efforts, extensive opinion research was conducted in 1998 and 1999 to gauge public attitudes and understanding related to the United Nations. In various focus groups, it was learned that a variety of segments of the United States' public support the basic goals and objectives of the United Nations, but public understanding of UN accomplishments is almost non-existent.

In general, most members of the public do not obtain great deal of information about the United Nations except for crisis situations. Broad national polling that was conducted later in 1999 reinforced these findings. A national survey commissioned by BWC found strong support among American voters for the United Nations-- 72 per cent viewed the United Nations favourably, compared to 78 per cent for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 68 per cent for the United Nations Children's Fund, 65 per cent for the World Health Orga-nization and 54 per cent for the United States Congress. Results of the polling are available from BWC.

Throughout the public education campaign, special efforts have been made to broaden the roster of organizations that work with and support the United Nations. In particular, the campaign put concerted emphasis on outreach to business and academic communities, faith leaders, labour organizations and local political and community leaders.

It is hoped that these new relationships can be continued and deepened in the future, particularly through the United Nations Association.

BWC also created an informative Web site that contains information about the United Nations and efforts being undertaken to educate the public about UN accomplishments. Anyone interested in learning more about BWC's efforts should visit the site and feedback is greatly appreciated (www.betterworldfund.org).

With a year's experience and progress made toward United States payment of its back dues to the United Nations, BWC will continue next year with its efforts to build support for the United Nations and the work done by UN funds, programmes and agencies. By working to educate the American public, key opinion leaders and public officials, BWC hopes to play a role in ensuring that the United Nations' important role in international relations is well understood and that the Organization is given the public support it has earned and deserves.

Phyllis Cuttino Executive Director, Better World Campaign

United States Pays UN Dues

After a three-year impasse, the United States Congress voted in November to pay $926 million--$600 million short of the $1.52 billion the United Nations calculates the United States owes. In a statement issued on 19 November, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was pleased that the United States had "acted positively" on the issue of arrears. "This vote marks a turning point in the efforts to restore the United States to its natural leadership position at the United Nations", he said. However, he noted that the legislation "does not provide for full payment of the arrears owed by the United States to the United Nations". He also said it included "a number of other terms and conditions that can only be resolved in negotiations between the United States and the other 187 Member States".

The Secretary-General expressed hope for the "speedy and successful completion of these negotiations" and stressed the obligation of all Member States to "pay their United Nations dues in full, on time and without condition". He also said he looked forward to "working constructively with the United States and the entire membership in meeting the profound challenges the world faces as we enter the twenty-first century".

Source: UN/DPI

Turner, Gates, UN vs. Polio

The United Nations Foundation (UNF), set up to administer Ted Turner's $1-billion gift, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will donate $78 million to accelerate the campaign to eradicate polio by the end of 2000. The gifts will help support the campaign of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Rotary International and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to officially certify the world as polio-free.

The Gates Foundation will provide $50 million, along with $28 million from UNF, in a unique partnership to support accelerated efforts to eradicate polio. The grants will help vaccinate millions of children during mass immunization campaigns that are the backbone of the effort. Polio affects mainly children under three years of age and causes lifelong paralysis of the limbs. There is no cure, but a few drops of vaccine will protect a child for life.

"Melinda and I are committed to a world without polio and are proud to be a part of this global effort. By working together we can make existing vaccines available to all the world's children". Mr. Gates said. Mr. Turner said UNF was "delighted to work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation". UNF will partner closely with WHO, the Rotary International, UNICEF and Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who has established "Days of Tranquillity" to vaccinate children in countries in conflict. "Our combined efforts will deliver a polio free world to the new millennium in which children are never again crippled by this terrible disease," Mr. Turner said.

Source: UNF

Children's Health Gets UNF Money

The UNF Board of Director approved $26 million for several children's health projects in Africa, which had been recommended by the Advisory Board of the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP). One project will integrate and strengthen surveillance for a limited number of key vaccine-preventable diseases--including meningitis, cholera, yellow fever--with polio surveillance. Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Co[hat]te d'Ivoire and southern Sudan will be the main project sites.

Another project approved was the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) at the regional and national levels in Africa. Funding was approved for five interrelated projects that seek to prevent the leading causes of death for children under five years of age--malaria, acute respiratory infections, diarrhea, measles and malnutrition--in Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria the United Republic of Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The IMCI approach seeks to strengthen the capacity of the communities to improve children's health through primary caretakers, community health workers and traditional birth attendants.

UNFIP/UNF also approved several HIV/AIDS programmes aimed at reducing risks for young people using youth-based communications strategies. These efforts will help address the severe HIV/AIDS crisis in Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia.

In all, approximately $55 million was awarded under a fifth round of funding to support UN projects around the world. The primary focus was given to programmes related to children's health, with a strong focus on Africa.

Source: UNFIP