UN work on Human Rights

I was lucky enough to visit the United Nations yesterday with a group of colleagues and students from Sigma Theta Tau.  We toured the building (which I haven't been in since I was in 7th grade!) and also attended two briefings. I am thankful to my colleague Dr. Jerri Marrocco (here is a link to her faculty web page) http://nursing.yale.edu/marrocco who arranged the visit for our group.  I am so pleased to have met Dr. Holly Shaw who leads Sigma Theta Tau's program that is working on global human rights issues. This link provides an overview of our Honor Society's work in this area, which has developed under Holly's leadership. http://www.nursingsociety.org/GlobalAction/UnitedNations/Pages/STTIandtheUN.aspx  This project is one excellent example of why I really like STTI as an organization.  Their perspective is broader and less myopic than many organizations which often seem to have a myopic focus on nurses only.  This is very important work and I am hoping to offer service related to these issues in the future. Here is a summary of ways we all can make a difference in these efforts:  http://www.nursingsociety.org/GlobalAction/UnitedNations/Pages/MakeaDifference.aspx

Dr. Shaw arranged a briefing on the status of women globally and one on work to eradicate child labor.  We had wonderful and knowledgeable speakers who shared their global perspective and experiences on working in these areas.  It was inspiring.

In addition it was disturbing.  Despite the fact that we are among the leaders of developed nations, I realized that even we will not meet the UN's millenium goals... the first of which is to eradicate poverty and hunger.  here is a link to the goals so you can learn more about them.  http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/poverty.shtml
I hope they inspire you to work for change in these important worldwide problems.