http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/theunturns_7512.mp3
Sunday is United Nations Day. This year, the global organization is celebrating its 65th anniversary, and Springfield’s chapter of the UN Association will host a special guest speaker. KSMU’s Jennifer Moore has details.
In 1945, the United Nations was formed to replace the League of Nations as an international organization that was meant to provide dialogue between countries and to help avoid war. Today, there are close to 200 member states, and its mission has expanded to include economic development, global health, education, and peacekeeping roles. On Sunday, Dr. Donald Lee, a Senior Development Economist with the United Nations, will be in Springfield to speak on the Missouri State University campus.
Speaking to KSMU by phone, Lee said it is next to impossible to nail down what would be the UN’s greatest accomplishment over the years. He said there are hundreds of programs that save and improve entire populations.
“Let’s take the issue of children’s health for instance. The United Nations brings programs of immunizations to developing countries around the world. And that saves millions of lives each year,” he said.
He said although the UN may feel distant to people sitting in the Ozarks, the two are actually joined very closely.
“The United States has always been a leader in the United Nations–both as a donor to the many good works of the United Nations, and also as an inspiration in leading the fight against injustices around the world, and encouraging and spurring on economic development and social development,” he said.
Lee will speak Sunday evening at 6:30 at MSU’s Glass Hall, in room 101. Glass Hall is located directly across Hammons Parkway from Meyer Library. He’ll be talking about the achievements of the UN so far, and what challenges it faces from here looking forward.
That event is free and open to the public, with free parking in MSU’s lot 19—just south of Glass Hall.
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