UN, UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNEP, CIS, WHO

A. Work in pairs. Read the quotes about cooperation and explain their meaning.

- Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.

– Helen Keller

- We should not only use the brains we have but all that we can borrow.

- Woodrow Wilson

- We may have all come on different ships, but we’re all in the same boat now.

– Martin Luther King Jr.

- In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.

– Charles Darwin

- None of us is as smart as all of us.

– Ken Blanchard

1b. Why is it important to cooperate nowadays? What world problems can people solve working together?

2a. Look at the abbreviations. What organisations do they stand for? Read the information about Belarusian membership in international organisations and check your guesses.

UN, UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNEP, CIS, WHO

One of the areas of foreign policy of the Republic of Belarus is the participation in the work of universal and specialized, global and regional international organisations and integration groups. International strategies helping to respond efficiently and mechanisms to handle pressing economic, social and political issues are needed to face new global challenges and threats arising in today’s age of economic globalization.

Belarus is a founder of the United Nations, and the Belarusian delegation alongside other 50 delegations, signed the United Nations Charter in San Francisco in October 1945. Admission of Belarus, which at the time was not even an independent state, into the newly born global Organisation reflected the international community’s recognition of the role played by the people of Belarus in defeating fascism.

The Republic of Belarus also a member of such international organisations as the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environmental Programme, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the World Health Organisation, and many others.

2b. Who are the people in the photos? Read the articles about them. How are these famous people related to the international organisations?

A. World-famous Belarusian tennis player, Olympic champion Max Mirnyi is known not only for his achievements in the world of tennis. In November 2011, Maxim Mirnyi was appointed a United Nations Children’s Fund Belarus Ambassador. In his new role, Mirnyi uses his fame and personal interest in children’s issues to support UNICEF’s mission to attract attention to the most vulnerable children, to promote a healthy lifestyle, a responsible parenting approach, and participate in HIV and AIDS prevention campaigns. Mirnyi said, “Undoubtedly it is a significant landmark in my life and I treat it with great responsibility. I have excellent relations with my Dad and I myself am a father of three kids. That is why I have an acute sentience to children’s needs all over the world and particularly in Belarus. I wish every child had a harmonious life and had possibilities for the fullest development. In the role of UNICEF Ambassador, I will do my utmost to turn it into a reality and make children’s lives as happy as possible.”

B. Three-time Olympic champion biathlete Darya Domracheva has been appointed UNDP Goodwill Ambassador in Belarus. The honorary ceremony was held at the Minsk City Hall on May 31, 2014. Darya Domracheva will take part in the promotion of healthy lifestyle among children, adolescents, and adults. According to UNDP Administrator, UN Deputy Secretary General Helen Clark, it would be a really good example for everyone: “The UNDP is working with a number of well-known goodwill ambassadors. We took into consideration Darya’s status, her achievements, and therefore she was awarded the title. We try to work with young people, promote healthy lifestyles, and Daria has a number of achievements and Olympic medals. Therefore, she will definitely be able to convey all the values associated with a healthy lifestyle. I am confident that by working together with Darya, we will be able to convey that message to young people.” Darya Domracheva: “Goodwill Ambassador is a very honourable title for me. And I think that by means of the joint interesting activities we can positively influence the development of the younger generation, help them with something.”

C. MY World is a global survey for citizens led by the United Nations and partners. The survey is a tool that enables every citizen in the world to vote on six of 16 developmental issues that most impact their lives. From now until 2015, we want as many people in as many countries as possible to be involved with MY World: citizens of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. WHY DOES YOUR VOTE MATTER? You’re part of a global vote at the United Nations, allowing people for the first time to have a direct say in shaping a better world. The UN is working with governments everywhere to define the next global agenda to address extreme poverty and preserve the planet. The data from MY World continues to inform these processes and be used by decision makers around the world. MY World’s communications campaign “Mark a difference” has been launched in Belarus. Belarusian celebrities such as Aleksandra Gerasimenia, swimmer and World Champion and double Olympic Medalist; Lucia Lushchyk, TV presenter and actress; Georgi Koldun, TV presenter and singer; Liudmila Vauchok, triple paralympic medalist; and Andrei Stas, ice hockey forward playing for Dynamo Minsk have supported this initiative and feature both on the print and video ads of this campaign. Their aim is to promote MY World and encourage people to take the survey. To ensure maximum impact among the Belarusian audience, the slogan has been also localized to and translates as “important to me”.

2d. Form verbs from nouns and adjective adding the prefi x en-. Complete the sentences using the correct form of these verbs.

sure – to ensure, courage – to encourage, able – to enable,

rich – to …, large – to …, danger – to …

Max Mirnyi (1) … people to have a healthy lifestyle. There are a lot of threats in the world like smoking and drugs that (2) … children’s lives. His mission as a UNICEF Ambassador (3) … many children to live happily. UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, Darya Domracheva, (4) … that she will do her best to (5) … the influence of UNDP on the development of the younger generation and to (6) … their knowledge about the UN activities.

3a. Why do Belarusian celebrities get involved in international cooperation? What are their mission? Prepare a report about one of them.

3b. Would you like to participate in UNDP and UNICEF activities and MY world campaign? Why / Why not?

3c. Go to the MY WORLD site http://vote.myworld2015.org/ and take the survey. Vote for the world you want to see!