Hope for the nations

UN delegates to attend Kelowna forum

High-ranking officials from the United Nations are expected to attend an international development conference next month in Kelowna

More than 300 people from aid agencies and humanitarian groups will meet in the city to discuss ways to achieve the UN's millennium goals

The Feb. 18-20 conference is hosted by Hope for the Nations, a Kelowna-based charity that operates orphanages, schools and development projects in Third World countries. "What I'm hoping to show the UN with this conference is that Kelowna cares about the world beyond its nose," said Hope for the Nations spokesman Nick Arkle

One of the senior UN officials who'll be inKelowna for the conference is Hanifa Mezoui, whose responsibilities include liaising with nongovernmental aid agencies

Humanitarian groups that have confirmed they'll be sending delegates include Lutheran World Relief, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Canadian Foundation for the Hungry, the Red Cross and dozens of others

"When people think of the UN, they might think of the Security Council or the General Assembly," Arkle said. "But 70 per cent of its human and financial resources go into humanitarian work." Millennium goals identified by the UN include such things as eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education and reducing infant mortality. It's hoped the goals can be achieved by 2015. Kelowna city council will consider a request today to waive a $1,500 booking fee for the Rotary Centre for the Arts, where the conference will take place.

By Daily Courier Staff