Attached is a copy of an approach from the Federal Government announcing the establishment of a National Committee that will co-ordinate a national programme of activities designed to highlight the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations in 1995.

As you will will see, the Committee is anxious to receive any comments or suggestions that would raise the awareness of the United Nations and its role both in Australia and Internationally in this Anniversary year, and in this regard 1 am asking that input, if any, from State Government organisations be co-ordinated through the Premier's Department.

Could you please notify Chief Executives within your portfolio of this national programme and encourage them to develop ideas and suggestions to support this significant project. Submissions should be received in Premier's Department no later than 7 October, 1994.

The Honourable John Fahey

NT Premier and Minister for Economic Development of New South Wales

State Office Block, Macquarie Street, SYDNEY NSW 2000
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Dear Premier

A National Committee has been established to develop a program of activities for the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations in 1995. The Govemor-General, The Honourable Bill Hayden, AC, is the Patron of the National Committee. The Committee brings together eminent Australians with a diverse experience of the full range of UN activities of interest to Australia. A list of members is attached. Its role is to help develop a program of activities for the Anniversary. The Committee will act as a source of ideas, as a catalyst, encouraging Governments at Federal level and other bodies to organise suitable activities: as a resource for the Anniversary, and as a co-ordinator of a coherent program for 1995-

in its initial meetings earlier this year, the Committee noted that State Governments would need to be brought into the
decision-making process for the Anniversary, particularly in relation to educational activities. Members of the Committee familiar with the interests of State Governments in different aspects of the LTN have been encouraged to approach State Governments, together with State UNAA representatives and regional representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to provide more background on the Anniversary.

The Committee has suggested that activities for the Anniversary should focus on two major issues: how the UN system should adapt to international change in order to maximise its relevance and effectiveness for the next 50 years; and how the UN affects Australia and Australians. Youth and the corporate sector were identified as particular target groups for the anniversary: youth and the corporate sector were identified as particular target groups for the anniversary: youth because of the importance of educating the next generation about the UN; and the corporate sector to promote awareness of the ways in which the UN influences the international commercial environment.

In the longer term, education and information programs offer the most scope for developing a greater appreciation in the community of how the UN affects the fives of all Australians. Education also offers an opportunity to promote a realistic
appreciation of the Ws role, including its limitations. The Committee has proposed a variety of educational activities for the anniversary including a possible curriculum package to be used in schools, an essay and poster competition at the both the primary and secondary levels, and a national Youth UN in Parliament House.

In addition, some major international conferences in Australia will be closely linked to the :50th Anniversary such as the April 1995 Global Cultural Diversity Conference, sponsored by the Federal Government with the Government of NSW. The UN Secretary-General, Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, has indicated his acceptance of an invitation to attend the Global Diversity Conference.

Several universities and other organisations around the country have already expressed ail interest in hosting conferences or seminars specifically on themes raised by the Anniversary. The Committee has received several written applications, such as the Darwin International Students' conference proposal by the UN Students' Association and the Northern Territory University, which is scheduled for December 11,195. Other universities which have indicated an interest in organising conferences for next year include the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University, 1e Australian National University and the University of Western Australia.

The Committee has agreed that it is important to have some ceremonial activities to generate awareness of the anniversary. In addition to the visit of the UN Secretary-General to Australia in April next year, a commemorative coin and stamp issue has been discussed with the Australian akfint and Australian Post respectively,

International co-operation through the United Nations affects many areas of interest to your 1jovernment. There may be differences of view from time to time over some aspects of Australia's involvement in the UN but we think you would agree that most of the UN's work Is uncontroversial and warmly supported by the community. Similarly, the goal of better informing ,ie community about the UN and its impact on Australians lives is one we share. We therefore ,hope your Govemment will lend its support to the 50th Anniversary program.

The Committee would welcome any comments or suggestions your Government might wish to offer on its activities. These can be conveyed through the Chair or Co-Chair. Should you have jnquiries about the Anniversary, or otherwise wish to make contact with the Committee, we suggest that you do so through Mr Roger Shipton, President, UNAA Telephone (03) 329 6111

(03) 329 8629 or Ms Ruth Pearce, Assistant Secretary, International Organisations Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Telephone (06) 2612188 Fax (06) 261 3424,

Yours sincerely
Senator Gareth Evans
Chairman of the National Committee for the UN's 50th Anniversary

Roger Shipton OAM