by Sue Crosson-Knutson

Lions Day with the United Nations in New York City has become a significant Lions event at which “to see and be seen.” Each year, the daylong program attracts an ever-increasing number of Lions, Lionesses, Leos, and their guests. Last year, 763 people attended the event. 
This year, 800 seats are available. The 28th Annual Lions Day with the UN will be held on Friday, March 10, 2006 at UN Headquarters. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Event highlights include: 

• presentations by UN speakers
• a message from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan (invited)
• an opportunity to ask questions to Lions Clubs International President Dr. Ashok Mehta
• the award ceremony for the grand prize winner of the Lions International Peace Poster Contest
• official proclamations from both New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and New York State Governor George E. Pataki, who is a member of the Peekskill Lions Club
• lunch with UN ambassadors in the UN’s private dining rooms
• an optional tour of the UN building
  The UN and Lions

The relationship between Lions Clubs International and the UN began in 1945 at the end of World War II. U.S. President Harry S. Truman, Britain’s Prime Minister Winston Churchill and other world leaders signed the UN charter on October 24, 1945. In the same year, Lions founder Melvin Jones and Past International Presidents Fred W. Smith and D.A. Skeen helped to develop the non-governmental organization (NGO) charter for the new global organization.
 Over the years, the two international organizations have cooperated on many humanitarian ventures. Lions have provided aid and manpower for UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), WHO (World Health Organization), and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) projects.

Meet UN Ambassadors
The day before Lions Day with the UN, International President Mehta and other Lion leaders will meet with ambassadors during a private reception and dinner. The event will provide Lions with an opportunity to meet ambassadors from countries in which Lions clubs do not exist. On Friday, a special luncheon in the UN private dining room enables Lions Day with the UN attendees to become ambassadors, too. During a leisurely lunch, Lions will learn first-hand about the ambassadors’ lives and countries. At the same time, ambassadors will learn about the humanitarian service of Lions.  
 
Tour the UN
After the Lions Day with the UN program, attendees can participate in an optional one-hour tour of the UN Conference Building. Most likely, the tour guide will mention that the 18-acre UN plaza does not belong to the U.S., but instead, the land and the buildings belong to UN member states. The Economic and Social Council, the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Trusteeship Council are included in the tour. Other highlights show the original UN charter, the first Sputnik satellite and moon rocks brought back to earth by Apollo 14 astronauts. The tour also includes the viewing of original works of art including a blue mosaic designed by Russian-born artist Marc Chagall, and the Golden Rule mosaic designed by American artist, Norman Rockwell. 
 
Register Now
The Lions Day with the UN registration form is available online. Completed forms can be mailed with payment to the Program Development Department at International Headquarters.

A limited number of reservations are available for the lunch with the UN ambassadors. The fee is $100 to attend Lions Day with the UN and the luncheon. The fee for attendees who are less than 18 years of age is US$85. The fee to attend the day’s program without the luncheon is US$60. For young people under age 18, the day program without the luncheon is US$45.

The deadline for receipt of registration forms and fees is February 10, 2006. UN security requires Lions Day with the UN attendees to be pre-registered. For security reasons, the UN reserves the right to alter the date and format of this event. For more information, call 630-571-5466 ext. 500; fax  630-571-1692, or e-mail programs@lionsclubs.org.