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September 30, 2020

International Data Sharing and Artificial Intelligence Cooperation in Global Public Health Emergencies

Report produced by the UNA-NCA Peace and Security Committee
Events presented on: Wednesdays, August 19, September 2, and September 16, 2020

The United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) along with its Peace and Security Committee hosted a series of panel discussions, entitled “International Data Sharing and Artificial Intelligence Cooperation in Global Public Health Emergencies: A Virtual Roundtable.” The events took place virtually and welcomed panelists and participants from all around the world, including the Kingdom of Spain, France, Malta, the People's Republic of China and New Zealand. All three panels were moderated by Mr. Patrick Realiza, Co-Chair of the UNA-NCA Peace & Security Committee The program provided a platform for discussion among global health experts, government officials, data scientists, researchers, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning practitioners and privacy advocates. The panelists all shared their perspectives on pressing issues related to Big Data and AI in the COVID era, including transnational data collaboration and data privacy.

September 24, 2020

We Must Keep Up her Fight!

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a hero in every sense of the word. Her recent loss is devastating to us all.

Justice Ginsburg led a truly remarkable life. Appointed by President Clinton in 1993, she became the second woman ever to be sworn in as a justice for the country’s highest court.

September 10, 2020
By A. Edward Elmendorf, UNA-NCA Past President

Arms control experts and diplomats, experts on the United Nations, and United Nations Association friends and colleagues mourn the passing of Jim Leonard, a bright star in the UN world for many years. His star was a shooting one, lasting a full 100 years.

September 8, 2020
“You in the United Nations are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. I am asking you to help me get justice.” 
-Philonise Floyd
Our nation has been at protest for far beyond the nearly 100 days that have passed since George Floyd's murder; for generations, our neighbors, community members, friends, and loved ones have struggled for justice, support, and their inherent right to life.

September 5, 2020
While the immediate crises of health and human services, and the devastating effect of COVID-19, must be at the top of the global agenda, it is time now to think ahead, to contemplate further crises that might unexpectedly befall the world community and what can we do now. To this end we have prepared a draft speech for a Head of State of a UN Member State, in the traditional but now “virtual” General Debate of the UN General Assembly beginning on September 22, 2020.

August 11, 2020
Despite the transition of most schools to online learning, the Global Classrooms DC program is prepared for a virtual school year.

The GCDC team has been hard at work for the past couple of months creating a global education curriculum that is packed with new topics and updated activities. We have also added distance learning options into each activity to make sure students have the necessary tools to become proficient Model UN delegates. Additionally, for the third year in a row, we are partnering with the International Organization for Migration and International Labour Organization to make sure our educators and students have access to the most up-to-date expertise and resources.

July 22, 2020
By Henry Webster-Mellon, UNA-NCA Program Assistant

On Tuesday, July 7, UNA-NCA and New Story Leadership (NSL), a non-profit committed to bridging the cultural and political divide between Israeli and Palestinian young leaders, convened a panel of four young Palestinian and Israeli leaders as well as over 80 guests to consider the status of Israeli-Palestinian conflict and explore what role of the United Nations should play in the peacebuilding process.

July 20, 2020
As we commemorated Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18th, another champion and advocate for human rights left this nation and earth. Throughout his life, Congressman John Lewis was an example of someone who truly walked the talk and was deeply committed to social justice and equity, helping shape the civil rights movement and keeping it alive until today.

July 9, 2020
The Partnership for Transparency (PTF) and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) jointly hosted a virtual forum on July 1, 2020. The purpose was to investigate sextortion, a pervasive yet underreported and underrepresented form of corruption and gender-based violence.

June 24, 2020
Although the pandemic has restricted the ability of the Global Classrooms DC team to host in-person Model UN sessions, our leaders of tomorrow remain committed to solving today’s global issues.

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