Inside this issue

November Elections.................... 1
UN News....................................... 2

UNA-USA United Nations Association Tampa Events.............................. 3

Tampa Bay Chapter Latest News ................................. 5
www.unatampabay.org Chapter Info.……………………….6

Nov. 2008 Volume XXXIII, No. 9

“Working Together for Peace, Freedom and Justice”

NOVEMBER IS ELECTION MONTH AS MEMBERS ELECT

THE UNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DATE: SATURDAY NOVEMBER 22, 2008 TIME: 10:30-11:30 AM
WHERE: ALUMNI CONFERENCE ROOM- RIVERSIDE BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA
*A CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST WILL BE PROVIDED
The UNA elections
According to the WorldPublicOpinion.org poll, 79% of Americans view strengthening the United
will be held at the
Nations as a "very" or "somewhat" important foreign policy goal. While leaders of nation states may
University of Tampa
Riverside Building be wary of giving the United Nations more power, it is clear the public around the world is comfortable
with the idea of a stronger U.N. To become more involved, be sure to attend the Annual Meeting of the
membership to elect officers and directors for 2009. See President Miliziano’s message on page 3 for
positions not yet filled by the nominating committee. Please note that only UNA members are allowed
to run for a position. If you feel you are qualified and wish to serve on the Board, please email
kelly.miliziano@sdhc.k12.fl.us
“The highest destiny of the individual is to serve rather than to rule”. -Albert Einstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNA Members are only UPCOMING PROGRAM: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2008
eligible to vote. No votes
POLITICAL PERSECUTION UNDER A PRESIDENT
will be accepted via email.

To become a member,
please go to
www.unausa.org or fill out
the mail-in membership
form on pg. 5 of this
newsletter.

Pius Nyamora fled Kenya in 1994 after six years of threats from President Daniel Moi's authoritarian government.
His crime was to publish the truth about the repressive policies of the government. President Moi had instilled so
much fear among Kenyans that many persecuted individuals were too scared to speak. In his presentation,
Nyamora shares the stories of those who had the courage to speak and could not be heard because of self-
censorship within the news media. He will reflect on those frightening years in Kenya, and what Kenyans went
through and how they fought back to be free. Nyamora’s story show Americans how advantaged they are and why
they should defend that freedom and help others globally to achieve it. Nyamora is an internationally recognized
journalist from Kenya and is an Adjunct-Faculty Instructor at the University of Tampa in the Communications
Department. See pg. 3 for other highlights of the December program.
 Tampa Bay Chapter 2

SOMALI OFFICIALS SAYS REBELS UNITED NATIONS LOOKS TO REFORM AND

KILLED UNTED NATIONS WORKER EXPAND SECURITY COUNCIL
·

The UN General Assembly has agreed to begin negotiations on expanding

BAIDOA, Somalia, Oct 20 (Reuters) - A regional official in
the membership of the powerful Security Council no later than next February
Somalia accused Islamist rebels of killing a U.N. employee in
28th. After hours of long bargaining, the assembly adopted by consensus a
the latest assassination targeting aid workers.
resolution on Security Council enlargement on the last day of its 62nd
Unidentified gunmen shot dead Muktar Mohammed Hassan, a
session. The text decides that the inter-governmental negotiations would
local man working for the United Nations Children's Fund
begin in an informal plenary of the General Assembly during its 63rd session,
(UNICEF), in the southern town of Hudur.
"but not later than February 28, 2009, based on proposals by member states,
The killing came just two days after a U.N. World Food
in good faith, with mutual respect and in an open, inclusive and transparent
Programme official was killed in a similar attack as he left a
manner." It said the aim was to "garner the widest possible political
mosque in the central town of Merka. Mohamed Maalim, the
acceptance by member states."
chairman of Hudur, said Islamist insurgents from the al Shabaab
group were controlling the town.
The 192-member Assembly is to kick off its 63rd session Tuesday with a
"We are sure al Shabaab killed him," Maalim told Reuters.
new president, Nicaraguan Roman Catholic priest and former foreign
"They previously looted the property of the International Medical
minister Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, who is to succeed Srgjan Kerim, a
Corps and also killed other aid workers in the region."
former Macedonian foreign minister. The thorny issue of how to enlarge the
Shabaab leaders could not immediately be reached.
15-member Security Council to make it more representative and reflective of
The rebels have been fighting Somalia's interim government and
today's global realities has for years divided the UN membership.
its Ethiopian military allies since the start of last year. The
violence has killed nearly 10,000 civilians and driven more than
Last year a report by five "facilitators" stated that most UN members support
a million from their homes.
council reform but could not agree on how to bring it about.
Combined with a severe drought, the bloodshed has triggered
The authors gave no suggestion for a final solution, but noted that many
what aid agencies call Africa's most acute humanitarian crisis.
members seemed willing to look for compromise.
In August, an authoritative study showed the number of Somalis
The report suggested moving forward in steps, with an "interim arrangement"
needing aid had leapt 77 percent since January to more than 3.2
that includes a "mandatory review to take place at a predetermined date."
million people, or more than a third of the population.
During the transitional period a number of configurations, including a
Suspicion for the assassination of aid workers normally falls on
repartitioning of seats on a regional basis and the most delicate, the veto-
the insurgents or clan militia who are also fighting the interim
wielding power of the five permanent members, could be considered.
administration and Ethiopian forces.
The Islamists deny it and instead accuse government hardliners
The Council currently has 10 rotating, non-permanent members and five,
of ordering the killings to discredit the rebels and provoke the
veto-wielding permanent ones (China, United States, France, Britain and
international community into sending a robust U.N.
Russia). Its makeup has remained largely unchanged since the
peacekeeping force that could help it fend off the insurgents.
establishment of the United Nations in 1945. In 2005, a so-called Group of
Al- Shabaab was the military wing of a sharia courts group that
Four -- Germany, Brazil, India and Japan -- made a strong push to join the
ruled much of southern Somalia for six months in late 2006,
council as permanent members, along with two African countries, but without
before being driven out of the capital Mogadishu by government
veto rights. But their bid failed to get enough support as it ran into strong
soldiers backed by Ethiopian tanks, troops and fighter planes.
opposition from regional rivals such as Italy, Pakistan and Argentina.
The United States formally listed Shabaab as a foreign terrorist
organization earlier this year and accuses the group of having
Source:http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080916013231.2hji7bxl&sho
close ties to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network.
w_article=1
By Mohamed Ahmed Source:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LK071438.htm
 Tampa Bay Chapter 3

THE UNA MEMBERSHIP PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

HOLIDAY PARTY
Dear Members,
The Tampa Bay Chapter celebrated United Nations Day on
October 24. The Theme of our program was Millennium Goal #7:
Environmental Sustainability. The growing shortage of fresh water
impacts human health and security, economic development, and
food security and safety.
Click here to watch the video of the Secretary-General's message

We were extremely fortunate to have Drs. Mark Rains and Daniel

Yeh share their projects to improve water supply, sanitation
systems, and protect natural resources while developing
sustainable forms of economic activity in Mexico and The
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10th, 2008 Dominican Republic. Both Professors are Research Fellows with
the Patel Center for Global Solutions at the University of South
WHERE: THE GRAND SALON ROOM,
Florida. Their presentation was not only informational, but was a
PLANT HALL BUILDING wonderful demonstration of multidisciplinary, collaborative
projects. The program included a presentation by Engineers
THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA Without Borders. I encourage you to read more about this
organization at http://ctr.usf.edu/ewb/
As a special treat, The Wiregrass Multicultural and Fusion Dance
6:15 PM
group added a cultural flavor to the evening.
Networking I look forward to seeing you for brunch at our annual membership
7:00 PM meeting on Saturday, November 22, at the University of Tampa.
We will vote on a slate of officers for the 2009 year.
Pius Nyamora Presentation
8:00 PM BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Installation of New Board of Directors

Ms. Kelly Miliziano, President
Membership Recognition
Allison Cuffaro, VP-Technology
8:30 PM Ms. Sara McMillan, VP-Membership
Ms. Jill Isaac –Director, VP-Education
Holiday Party
Dr. Carol Zavarella , Treasurer
Ms. Kelly Reynolds, Secretary
Mr. Paul Yingst Director & Past President
Dr. Mark Amen, Director
Dr.Timothy Kennedy, Director
1st VP of Advocacy & Government Relations- VACANT
Director –3 VACANCT POSITIONS
University Student Representative - VACANT

Please join us for drinks and hord’ouevres as we recognize the

Tampa Bay Chapter members in our community.
 Tampa Bay Chapter 4

500 PEOPLE NEED WATER THE SEPTEMBER UNA MEETING

AT COLUMBIA RESTAURANT
member states all cities

Engineers Without Borders at the University of South Florida

(EWB-USF) is currently engaging in an effort to develop a clean
water supply for an underdeveloped community in the
Dominican Republic. The goal of this project, titled “Water for
Miches”, is to bring clean water to the 500 residents of Miramar
in the Dominican Republic. Miramar is a community within
Miches, in the province of El Seibo, one of the poorest
provinces in the Dominican Republic. DR. ROACH, KELLY M,AND DR.MARK
AMEN AT THE SEPTEMBER MEETING
Currently, the residents of Miramar have no established water
source. Many gather water flowing from fractures in a distant
water tower, despite this untreated water being a source of
disease and unsuitable to meet the needs of these families. The
purpose of our project is to design and install a potable water
source in Miramar capable of meeting World Health
Organization (WHO) standards by providing 20 liters of clean
water per day to each of these 500 people.

Engineers Without Borders - USA (EWB-USA) is a non-profit

humanitarian organization established to partner with
developing communities worldwide in order to improve their
quality of life. This partnership involves the implementation of
sustainable engineering projects, while involving and training
internationally responsible engineers and engineering students.
THE UNA MEMBERS GATHERED AT THE
Vision
HISTORIC RESTAURANT IN YBOR CITY

The student members of Engineers without Borders at USF

envision a world where all people have access to adequate
sanitation, safe drinking water, and the resources to meet other
The United Nations Association holds
self-identified engineering and economic development needs.
We strive to empower engineering students with the idea that meetings every month in various
they can make a difference in the world using the tools that they
have gained in the classroom. locations in the Tampa bay area.
Please go to our website for further
information at www.unatampabay.org

For more info. go to: http://www.ewb-international.org/

“Successful leaders have the

courage to take action while others
hesitate”. -John C. Maxwell
 WORLD UNPREPARED FOR NEXT
FLU PANDEMIC
A mild flu pandemic might kill 1.4 million people
worldwide….
Despite widespread awareness of the risks of the next flu pandemic, the
world needs to drastically improve cooperation in preparing for what
would be a major global crisis, a UN report said this week.
The report by the United Nations and the World Bank said that while
most countries are planning for a flu pandemic, the worry was that
"many plans have not been tested and may well fail once the next
influenza pandemic starts."
"Coming on the heels of a World Bank study suggesting that the
economic cost of a pandemic could top a staggering three trillion
dollars, this continuing lack of preparedness remains a cause of
concern," it noted.
According to the World Bank, a flu pandemic of moderate intensity
could cut global gross domestic product by two percent, while a severe
flu pandemic would slash global gross domestic product by nearly five
percent, or more than three trillion dollars.
The report said that even a mild flu pandemic might kill 1.4 million
people worldwide, while the death toll from a severe global outbreak
could reach 70 million.
"Considering that pandemic preparedness was largely unaddressed by
the world's nations three years ago, the widespread awareness and
action seen today is a major achievement," said David Nabarro, a
Briton who is the UN System influenza coordinator.
"But more needs to be done to ensure that we are ready for this kind of
major global crisis," he added.
No countries reported new infections of their poultry by the H5N1 bird
flu virus in the first nine months of 2008, as compared with four in the
same period last year, the UN report said.
Nabarro noted that the bird flu virus was entrenched only in two
countries: Egypt and Indonesia.
The study also pointed out that only 20 countries which have previously
reported infections experienced outbreaks between January and
September 2008, down from 25 in the same period last year.
It added that to date 245 people have died of bird flu.
"The pace of sporadic human infections and deaths from H5N1 has
slowed since last year, with 28 confirmed deaths in 2008 compared to
59 in 2007, but the threat of an influenza pandemic remains," it added.
The UN is coordinating a drive by governments, donors, international
agencies and corporations to stop the spread of bird flu while preparing
for a fast-spreading human influenza pandemic.
There have been three such pandemics in the past century.
Source:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iUMphp3DVUGam1PKiUGro0hIKpuA
COMPUTER CRIME A GROWING THREAT
Computer crime has even invaded Wall Street……..
Citizens and nations alike have increasingly become victim to cyber
crime in the past year, costing tens of millions of dollars and threatening
US security, says the FBI's cyber division head. FBI assistant director
Shawn Henry says that organized-crime groups are drawn by the ease
of reaching millions of potential victims.
He also says as many as two-dozen countries have taken an
"aggressive interest" in penetrating the networks of US companies and
government agencies. US intelligence agencies have previously voiced
concern that Russia and China have the ability to electronically spy on
the US and disrupt computer networks.
Cyber attacks are climbing the list of worries for foreign policy officials.
In August, Georgia accused Moscow of conducting “cyber warfare”
against its government sites, at the same time as Russian troops began
a conventional attack.
US federal agents are working with foreign counterparts where the
rising wave of computer attacks has awakened international interest,
Henry says. NATO established a "cyber defense" centre in Estonia
earlier this year, a country brought its knees by internet-based attacks
in 2007. "Over the past year, the malicious activity has become much
more prevalent," Henry says. "The threat continues to increase."
Earlier this year an Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development report said international cooperation must be stepped up
to head off the economic and security consequences of cyber crime.
Botnets, networks of computers controlled remotely by hackers without
their owners realizing, are growing in popularity with criminals, Henry
says. They can be used to bring down systems connected to the
internet, or to steal information. "Spearfishing," when hackers get a
copy of a company's email list, then send out official-looking requests
for employee personal information, has also been a growing problem,
he says.
Henry says computer crime has even invaded Wall Street. Some
investment companies have lost tens of millions of dollars through
"pump and dump" schemes in which criminals achieved control of
multiple client accounts.The accounts are used in concert to run up the
price of low-liquidity stocks. Others then make a large profit when they
sell, "dump" shares bought at the earlier, low price. Henry makes it
clear that such activity had nothing to do with the current global financial
problems.
Source: http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn14961-computer-
crime-a-growing-threat-warns-fbi-.html
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER:
Use anti-virus software and run dates
Use a strong password
Avoid unreputable websites
Check the source of your email
Always logout and shutdown the computer when not in use

DIRECTORS
Kelly Miliziano -President
Dr. William McReynolds
Rajeev Ratra -VP Technology
Jill Isaac - VP Education
Sara McMillan-VP Membership
Dr. Carol Zavarella -Treasurer
Kelly Reynolds-Secretary
Dr. Mark Amen
Dr. Tim Kennedy
Paul Yingst-Former President
BECOME A MEMBER
www.UNAUSA.org
A Non-Profit Organization
UNA-USA Tampa Bay Chapter
www.unatampabay.org
Tampa Bay Chapter 6
The YPIC Tampa Chapter will no longer be in effect as of September 2008. All YPIC members
are requested to actively join the United Nations Association Tampa Chapter meetings for the upcoming
events. While we appreciate supporters of all ages, YPIC members are typically between the ages of 21-40,
and are a diverse group of individuals. YPIC has held two community-involved projects each year. We thank
YPIC for their efforts and for collaborating in the upcoming UNA programs. Former YPIC members, please
contact Kelly Miliziano for further information.
Membership Application/ Renewal
Name: ___________________________________
Address:________________________________ City:_________________ State:__________ Zip:__________
Telephone: _________________ Email: _______________________
Annual Membership (select one)
Introductory Individual ___ $ 25 Student ___ $ 10 Patron ___ $500
Individual Renewal ___ $ 35 Organization ___ $ 40
Family ___ $ 40 Sponsor ___ $ 100
Yes! I want to make a donation of $________ to help the work of UNA-USA.
All dues and donations are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to: UNA-USA and send to:
UNA-USA, 801 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017-4706.