Climate Change: from Copenhagen to Mexico
April 2009 saw the Region gearing up to contribute to the COP-15 meeting in December. Its 2009 Climate Change Conference held at the International Maritime Organization brought together leading experts
to discuss how a real reversal of climate change
emissions could be achieved; and to contribute to the debate on how an
effective
successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol could best be forged.
COP-15: A Disappointment
The much anticipated conference, disppoint-ingly, closed
on 18 
December 2009 with a non-binding accord that "recognises" the scientific case for keeping temperature rises to no more than 2C but
did not contain commitments to emissions reductions to achieve that goal. [Read report and editorial on COP-15]
Some of our members on a recent Demo. in Westminster. Next stop Mexico? Find out in Brighton in July!
What's Next and Where to?
The Region, nevertheless, is looking to continue to pursue the agenda.
Summer Council on Climate Change
The Region's Summer Council, entitled "The Road
to Mexico", successfully concluded on 24 July 2010.
It was a follow up the the IMO conference. Featuring Polly Higgins (Barrister, Advocate of Planetary Rights), Bernadette Vallely (Women’s Environmental Network) and Debbie Tripley (Environmental Law Foundation), the meeting would contribute to COP-16 in Cancun in November/December 2010. Click here for a report.
Branch Event: Westminster and Peacekeeping
Westminster Branch held its 7th annual conference and ceremony to mark International UN Peacekeepers Day on 20 May 2010.
This year's conference is entitled "Keeping the Peace, Protecting the People".
Keynote s peakers included Alan Doss, UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for DRC; 
Edward Burke (Spanish Think Tank FRIDE); Sandy Allsopp (Allsopp Helikites Ltd) and Andrew Stewart (Thales UK).
Members of the UN Veterans Colour Party (right) honoured fallen UN Peacekeepers as the band of the Coldstream Guards played the Last Post.
Missed the event? Read conference lecture or watch the ceremony.
Other Events
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Twickenham & Richmond branch unveiled Universal De-claration of Human Rights 60th Anniversary com-memoration monument on 18 May 2010. [more]
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Hustings in North London saw veteran Enfield UNA teaming up with Trinity-at-Bowes Methodist Church in Palmers Green. Over 100 took part, putting a wide range of questions to a panel including Conversatives and Independents.
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Purley with Sutton Inter-School debate final was held on 25 May 2010. Last 4 of the 32 schools from across Croydon, Sutton & Surrey battled for the Digby-Weightman Shield, which was evenrually won by Sutton Grammar School.