Inside this issue

The UNA Tampa Film Festival ....1

Int’l Year of Sanitation ................2
Board of Directors for 2008 ........3
UNA-USA United Nations Association
Events & Information..................4
Tampa Bay Chapter
www.unatampabay.org

“Working Together for Peace, Freedom and Justice” Volume XXXII, No. 1 Jan 2008

UNA FILM FESTIVAL FOCUSES ON THE “REEL” FORGOTTEN

Date: Saturday January 26th 2007 Time: 11:30AM -1:30PM
Where: St. Pete Campus USF Campus Activities Centre Room.CAC-124
*To attend please RSVP STEPHANIE KWAN at 727-692-306 or email una.ypictampabay@gmail.com

Eric Rosenthal - Founder of
Mental Disability Rights
International (MDRI) will be
presenting at the USF St.
Petersburg Campus.
TICKETS FOR THE
FILM FESTIVAL
The United Nations Association of Tampa
Bay’s Young Professionals for International
Co-operation (YPIC) is proud to host a film
festival in honor of International Rights for the
Mentally and Physically Disabled. The United
Nations regularly celebrates the power of
films dealing with human rights and host
academics and filmmakers who encourage
dialogue and action by humanizing global
and local problems.
Eric Rosenthal, founder of Mental Disability
Rights International (MDRI), will join the UNA
January 26th at the University of Florida, St.
Petersburg Campus. Rosenthal will introduce
Rosenthal has served as a consultant to the
World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF,
the UN Special Rapporteur on Disability, and
the US National Council on Disability. He also
serves on the International Watch Advisory
Committee of the US National Council on
Disability (NCD) and is the primary author of
US Foreign Policy and Disability: Legislative
Strategies and Civil Rights Protections to
Ensure Inclusion of People with Disabilities
(September 2003).
In May 2001, the Mental Health Association
of New York awarded him a "Humanitarian
Award" for "exceptional dedication and

IS ONLY four short films and hosts an open discussion leadership in advocating for the humane
on the United Nation’s role in preserving the treatment of people with mental disabilities
$15
rights of the mentally disabled. worldwide." SEE FILM DETAILS BELOW pg. 2
UNA members
$13 UNA Welcomes New Directors to the Board and a New President
Students
The United Nations Association Tampa Bay Installation of the new Board for 2008 and
$10
Chapter held its elections on November 3, President took place on December 10,
RSVP online at
2007. Along with a new President, a few 2007. The installation was performed by
www.tampabay.org
new well-known names in the Tampa Bay Frank Hartvelt who is a former Director
or phone Ms. Kwan
international circles will be stepping into the with UNDP.
727-692-306 or Email
Board. Kelly Milizano will be filling in the
una.ypictampabay@
gmail.com shoes of Paul Yingst who was the President
of the chapter for nearly a decade. After
the by-laws were changed through
headquarters in New York in 2007, the new
Board of Directors was set at 15 seats.
 Forgotten People
“Forgotten People” is a documentary by
Mental Disability Rights International, which
documents the inhumane conditions faced by
individuals with mental disabilities situated in
grossly understaffed, inadequate and neglectful
psychiatric facilities around the world. The
"Forgotten People" feature is narrated by Susan Sarandon, with
is a film exposes music by Peter Gabriel. Footage was
the heinous incorporated into a training video for U.S. State
conditions of a Department officials on assessing and reporting
psychiatric ward in on abuses of persons with psychiatric illness or
Mexico. mental retardation, and was featured as part of
the World Health Organization's World Health
Day. Link to video:
http://www.mdri.org/publications/index.htm.
The United Nations Declares
2008 International Year of
Sanitation
Proper sanitation: It’s a seemingly mundane
thing that most people in the developed world
take for granted. But at least 2.6 billion people
– some 41 percent of the global population -
do not have access to latrines or any sort of
basic sanitation facilities. As a result millions
suffer from a wide range of preventable
illnesses, such as diarrhea, which claim
thousands of lives each day, primarily young
children. To put the spotlight on this issue the
UN General Assembly declared the year 2008
the International Year of Sanitation. The goal is
to raise awareness and to accelerate progress
towards the Millennium Development Goal
(MDG) target to reduce by half the proportion
of people without access to basic sanitation by
2015.
DID YOU KNOW? The United Nations and other international organizations are working towards preventing
foreign companies from dumping waste in developing nations, making transnational corporations pay for the
pollution they produce, and enlisting the First World in helping to clean up the Third World's environment.
The President’s Message……
I wish you all a Happy New Year. We
ended the year with a successful membership
drive, which culminated in a lovely holiday
social. Recognizing the accomplishments of past
president Paul Yingst and the 2007 UNA-USA
Tampa Bay Chapter Board, our 2008 Board
members are poised to continue to promote
understanding of and support for the ideals and
vital work of the United Nations System.
Our Chapter will continue to work hard
to promote a strong advocacy agenda and
expand quality programs and events for our
membership and the general public. On
January 26th, the United Nations Association’s
Young Professionals for International
Cooperation will present a documentary film
festival in honor of International Rights for
the Physically and Mentally Disabled at the U.S.F.
St. Pete campus. In addition, our chapter is
honored to host the UNA-USA Florida Division
Convention on May 9-10th at Eckerd College.
We are pleased that Shrimatee Ojah-
Maharaj will chair the planning committee for
the Florida Division convention. Please feel free
to volunteer to participate and support in the
activities prior to and during the convention. It is
our wish to make this a memorable event. A
description of committees responsibilities are
listed on our website. I look forward to your
support and involvement in our fine Chapter
events this coming year.
-Kelly Miliziano

UNA Board of Directors-2008
Dr. Mark Amen is a new Board of Director. He
received his Ph.D. in Political Science. He has
been at USF as a faculty member in the
Department of Government and International
Affairs since 1982.
Susan James is a new Board of Director and is
a Coordinator for the International Programs
at USF. She has her Masters in Development
Studies and a second Masters in Sociology.
Dr. Timothy Kennedy is a new Board of
Director. He is the Chair of Communications
Dept. and professor at the University of
Tampa. He is an expert in the field of
development communication by using
modern communication technology to assist
emerging peoples in governance.
Dr. William McReynolds is a new Board of
Director and will be serving as the Vice-
President of Government & Advocacy and
will be second to the President. He is a
professor at the University of Tampa and has a
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
Rajeev Ratra is the VP Technology. He is also
the CEO of Arnima Design and has offices in
Asia and North America. Being an Engineeer
by profession and the son of a Diplomat, he
has lived in various countries and travels
frequently to developing nations.
Greg Rublee is the new VP of Education . He is
a Professor at the University of Tampa. In 2007
he was elected to the Oldsmar City Council.
He has a Masters degree in National Security
Studies
Ryan Nevel- is the new YPIC Chair. He
graduated cum laude with a degree in
Political Science from the University of South
Florida and works at a mental rehab. agency.
Tampa Bay Chapter
Reflections & A Word of
Kimberley Williams is the new Vice-President of
Programs. She is a history professor at Hillsborough Thanks……….
Community College and has a Master’s in History. Welcome Back! It’s wonderful
to be back and we have an
Suja Chetty is the Treasurer. She works at Jabil exciting year ahead with a
Circuit as a Project Manager and is a graduate of number of inspiring monthly
Engineering from USF. programs lined up for 2008. In
retrospect, 2007 was an
Maja Lacevic is the University representative and is astounding year for the Tampa
an International Affairs student at USF. chapter and we managed to
revamp the chapter to greater
Roslyn Linnen is the Vice-President of Membership strides. In just one year, we
and has been in this position for three years. She brought up our membership
has a Master of Science Degree in Health Science by 15 % which makes us one
Administration and is actively involved with of the largest chapters in the
community work. United States. Along with the
rise in numbers, we managed
Kelly Miliziano is the Tampa Chapter President for to change our chapter by-
2008. She was the former Vice President of laws, implement a new
Education. She is a teacher and Dept Chair at website, and line -up
Wharton High School in Tampa, and is completing international guest speakers
her PhD dissertation at the University of South for our UNA Speakers Series.
Florida. Through the Speakers Series
we embraced Tampa Bay’s
Jill Isaac-Johnson is the former Chair of Programs international community, and
and has taken on the role of Newsletter Editor. She together built awareness and
is an Adjunct-Faculty Instructor at the University of strengthened ties globally.
Tampa and is also a TV anchor for PBS. Jill has a These changes would not
Masters in Diplomacy & International Affairs and a have happened if it wasn’t for
Masters in Public & Corporate Communications. the hard work and passion of
last year’s President Paul Yingst
Jennifer Kon will be serving as Secretary to the and supporting Directors who
Chapter and served as an intern for the UNA helped shape and build the
Global Classrooms Program. She is a graduate of organization. Words can’t
USF and a MBA graduate from Schiller University. express not just from myself,
but from our membership, the
Paul Yingst is the former President of the Tampa difference these changes
Chapter for total of eight years. He stepped down have made for our UNA
from his position in Nov 2007 and will now be chapter and what was in their
serving the Board as a Director. He and his wife hearts for the organization,
Marjorie have been members of the chapter since ultimately came through.
1981. Paul is a former Councilman for the City of St. “To handle yourself, use your
Petersburg and is a Commissioner of the St head; to handle others, use
Petersburg Housing Authority. Paul holds the your heart”. D.Laird
degrees of Electrical Engineer and Juris Doctor, -Jill Isaac, Editor
Tampa Bay Chapter

DIRECTORS
Kelly Miliziano -President
Dr. William McReynolds-1st VP
VP Gov’t. & Advocacy
Roslyn Linnen-VP Membership
Rajeev Ratra –VP Technology
Greg Rublee- VP Education
Kimberley Williams-VP Programs
Suja Chetty-Treasurer
Jennifer Kon-Secretary
Dr. Mark Amen
Jill Isaac- Johnson-Editor
Susan James
Dr. Tim Kennedy
Maja Lacevic-University Rep.
Ryan Nevel – YPIC Chair
New Members (16): Mr. Javier Alamillo; Joan & Charles Axt; Mr. Balaji Duchetty; Ms. Marien Elizabeth; Lorena &
Jorge Ortiz; Kelly Reynolds; Mae Darhadi-Rokh & Behrouz Rokh; Danielle Schechter; Linda Priester Steeley; Dr
Timothy and Robin Kennedy; GFWC North Pinellas Women’s Club; Amira Salama; and Samantha Webb.
Renewed Members (26): Dr. Mark Amen; Bob Collette & Dorothy Bach; Alana Cefaratti; Lillana Correa; Elizabeth
Dunn; Roger & Jeanne Ernst; Natasha Ghent-Rodriguez; Judy Hoffman; Leanna Leitnaker; Dr Harvey Nelsen;
Janet & John Olson; Dr Charles & Mary Ratliff; Dr Maria & Greg Rublee; Juan Santiago-Matias; Ms Sujatha Chetty;
Rush Dozier, Sr; Beverly Ledbetter; Marcie Lee; Dr William McReynolds; Anne Richter; Cindy Scaglione; and
Joanne Shrewsberry
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

Paul Yingst-Former President

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Please mark your calendars………….

FEBRUARY- Saturday 23rd –UNA FUNDRAISER MARCH - Thurs 20th – INTERNATIONAL WATER DAY with BETTY CASTOR

Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid

UNA-USA Tampa Bay Chapter

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