Director of UN Association to Speak, Lead Career Workshop
On the occasion of International United Nations Day and the UN’s 70th anniversary, Chris Whatley, executive director of the United Nations Association for the U.S., will be on campus October 21–22 to speak at two events as well as lead a workshop on international careers.
Mr. Whatley will be touring the state of Iowa and will be hosted by MIU during his visit to Fairfield.
On October 21 Mr. Whatley will give a presentation in which he addresses issues on the current UN Agenda, including world peace, human rights, sustainability, education, and climate change.
On October 22 Mr. Whatley will lead a Q&A panel discussion on climate change that will include Fairfield Mayor Ed Malloy, Rob Stowe, Scott Herriott, and Miriam Kasia.
Mr. Whatley will also lead an international career workshop for students on October 22 at 3:30 pm in Festival Hall in the Argiro Student Center.
The purpose of these events is to link local sustainability efforts with international activities to create a sustainable future in areas such as world peace, education, and health, said organizer Morad Malekghassemi, president of the Model United Nations student club.
There will be a focus on combating climate change, especially the new sustainable development goals scheduled for adoption by the UN General Assembly this fall, and the upcoming climate summit to be held in Paris in December.
The Paris conference, formally known as the 21st Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, is charged with completing a new universal treaty to curb the emission of greenhouse gases.
“These international efforts will bring benefits to Iowans and all people around the world,” Mr. Malekghassemi said. “Our actions to promote sustainability — whether as residents, public officials, or business and organizational leaders — are part of a worldwide movement that will encourage governments to set ambitious goals at the Paris conference.”
See iowauna.org/upcoming-events-2 for more information.
Another outcome of this visit will be the official inauguration of a permanent UNA office in Fairfield.
The United Nations Association is a program of the UN Foundation. Mr. Whatley leads UNA’s national staff in Washington, D.C. He heads up the Association’s efforts to increase membership, advocate on behalf of the UN and UN causes, and to educate the next generation of UN supporters in the U.S.
The event is co-sponsored by the office of Executive Vice-President, the College of Business Administration, and the office of Mayor Malloy.
Jim Karpen is a writer by trade, with a special focus on technology. He has a Ph.D. in English and studied the impact of the computerization of language. In addition to writing for iPhone Life magazine, he has also been writing a column about the Internet for the Iowa Source since 1994. He also edits and publishes the MUM Review.