Lions Visit The United Nations

Four Newtown Lions –– Bill Denlinger, Jon Christiansen, Gordon Williams, and Jason Hsu –– joined Lions from all over the world to spend a day at the United Nations recently.

One day each year is designed by the UN as Lions Day. This special status evolved because the International Lions Club participated in several nongovernmental committees when the UN was founded. Since that time, the Lions Club has maintained nongovernmental organization status with the UN and for the past 25 years thousands of Lions, Lionesses, and Leos have attended Lions Day.

This year the highlight was a luncheon with UN delegates. At many of the tables of eight sat UN functionaries who were very willing to answer questions. Proclamations were read during the day from the mayor of New York City and the governor of New York State.

The ambassador from Australia explained his country’s reasons for wanting to be a member of the UN. Talks also were given on the progress by UNICEF’s progress in Afghanistan and its School-in-a-Box program. A musical interlude was provided by three Julliard-trained sisters who played the cello, violin, and harp.

Perhaps the most dynamic speaker was the undersecretary general for communication and public information. His subject, “The United Nations and You,” answered frequent criticisms of the UN and spoke of its strengths. He concluded by answering questions in a very informative and positive way, according to Mr Williams.

All four attendees came away with a good feeling about the day and about what the UN is accomplishing, Mr Williams added. It is their hope that more Lions from the Newtown chapter will be able to attend next year.