PEACE STARTS HERE: UNRWA at 60 High-Level Event Week

http://www.un.org/unrwa/newyork/index.html

UNRWA at 60 High-Level Event Week

On 8 December 2009, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, will be sixty years old: an occasion for sober reflection but also an opportunity to highlight the Agency’s service and achievements during six decades of work alongside millions of Palestine refugees.

Among the highlights of the anniversary activities is a week of events in New York commemorating the 60th anniversary of UNRWA’s establishment by the General Assembly.

View the Schedule of Events

	Ministerial Breakfast and Banner Unveiling Ceremony President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, Queen Rania of Jordan, Tony Blair, Quartet Representative, and UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro unveiled a banner commemorating UNRWA’s 60th anniversary alongside UNRWA Commissioner-General Karen AbuZayd. This banner will hang inside the Delegates’ Lounge, and another, larger banner will adorn the outside of the General Assembly Building. Watch a live webcast on UNTV Channel 4 (8.15am EST) Watch UNRWA at 60 – Providing hope Read Karen AbuZayd’s speech Read Queen Rania’s speech Read President Mahmoud Abbas’s speech
	Princeton University Debate: "Palestinian Refugees and the Peace Process" Former Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami and Oxford Professor Karma Nabulsi debated the role that Palestine refugees play in the Middle East peace process. Daniel Kurtzer, former US Ambassador to Egypt and Israel, moderated their discussion, and UNRWA Commissioner-General Karen AbuZayd responded to their comments. Both Ben-Ami and Nabulsi gave forward-looking perspectives on how refugees would be involved in finding a solution to the conflict. Their comments were extremely timely, given the flurry of diplomatic activity surrounding the Middle East peace process and US President Barack Obama's remarks at the General Assembly debates this week. Read Shlomo Ben-Ami’s speech Read Karma Nabulsi’s speech
	UNRWA Commissioner-General live on the Riz Khan Show, Al-Jazeera International UNRWA Commissioner-General Karen AbuZayd appeared live on the Riz Khan Show to discuss UNRWA’s work throughout its 60 years. Watch the video – part 1 | part 2
	Commemorative Book Launch UNRWA Commissioner-General Karen AbuZayd and spokesperson Chris Gunness unveiled a commemorative 60th anniversary book including wishes of support from over 80 countries. This event launched UNRWA’s week of anniversary activities at the UN General Assembly. Watch a webcast of the launch Read about the launch
	Press Conference by Head of Palestinian Refugee Agency on its Anniversary Events Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Karen Koning AbuZayd, today announced a week-long series of events in New York to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the Agency’s creation, which would culminate with an “UNRWA @ 60” ministerial-level event on 24 September. Read the full text

Banner commemorating UNRWA’s 60th anniversary unveiled

President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, Queen Rania of Jordan, Tony Blair, Quartet Representative, and UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro unveiled a banner commemorating UNRWA’s 60^th anniversary alongside UNRWA Commissioner-General Karen AbuZayd. The banner will hang inside the UN building in New York and another, larger banner will adorn the outside of the General Assembly Building. ...more