CLOSE TIES WITH U.N.

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32301, 20 May 1970, Page 2

CLOSE TIES WITH U.N.

The International Council of Women could work only through its affiliated national ’ councils of women and the United Nations, Mrs Doreen Grant told the annual meeting of the Christchurch branch of the N.C.W. last evening.

In this way the I.C.W. formed a direct, two-way channel between millions of women on the one hand and the top level of international politics on the other, she said. In recognition of the work the I.C.W. had done over the years as a non-governmental organisation and of Its close liaison with the specialised agencies of the United Nations, it was accorded the honour last year of having its membership raised to “Category One”—the highest position it could attain in the United Nations.

Mrs Grant, who is im-mediate-past-president of the National Council of Women of New Zealand, has represented her country at several I.C.W. conferences and meetings. She attended the nineteenth triennial conference of the I.C.W. in Bangkok earlier this year, however, as an international officer —as convener of the I.C.W. press and public relations committee. Humanitarian “Over the years I have been deeply impressed at international conferences by the accounts given by United Nations experts on their practical efforts to help the world’s less favoured citizens; help which is the only foundation on which this chaotic

world can ever hope to build a lasting peace,” Mrs Grant said.

“Only a few days ago the ■ United Nations Secretaryi General (U Thant) was re- ■ ported as saying: ‘The fact ! remains that the United ' Nations is still the only forum in which the development of world order is continuously discussed and actively striven for’,” she added. Too little was known about the humanitarian work done by the specialised agencies of United Nations, such as W.H.0., F.A.0., U.N.I.C.E.F. and U.N.E.S.C.O. “We hear so much of the political side of the work of the United Nations—its discussions, its frustrations, its frictions, and its failures.” she said. “Far too little is said of its successes, its compassion for the needy and its life-saving help to millions of people.” Women’s Support The time had come when women of the world must use their combined strength to support the United Nations. “They must bring to the United Nations' deliberations their qualities of forbearance, compassion and a concern for individual life, if mankind is to be prevented from being plunged into World War 111 and the possible end of civilisation,” she said. N.Z. Help New Zealand women might wonder how they could help, she added. They could play their part by supporting the United Nations, by under-

standing and publicising the : humanitarian work of its i specialised agencies. I “Help in these fields will i come from a close national i liaison with the 1.C.W., an i interest and participation in i the work of its conferences. )

It will come from a genuine effort on the part of every individual to contribute in some way, no matter how small, to the work of at least one of the specialised agencies of the United Mrs Grant said.