Introductory speech by Sarah Hargreaves, Enfield & The Barnets United Nations Association
Welcome ….
As we stand here a week before the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Charter entering into force on 24th October 1945 (now known as UN Day), we wish to honour in a small way the 80 years of global dialogue and humanitarian aid brought about by the UN.
In 2025 the UN has assisted or protected 82.5 million people fleeing from war, famine or persecution. It uses 95,000 peacekeepers in 13 operations to assist with this. It works around the world on global temperature increases and water shortages. Human rights are protected by 80 treaties to support vulnerable groups. Health inputs include pandemic preparedness, maternal mortality reduction and immunisation programmes. This work has continued throughout the last 80 years in a manner to address the important issues of the day.
The UN has six main bodies, including the Security Council, of which the UK is one of five permanent members and a further 17 specialist agencies helping with the smooth running of global systems.
I would like to read a quote from the 1954 address which Dag Hammarskjold, the second Secretary General of the UN, delivered in San Francisco, the birthplace of the UN Charter.
“The mere fact that governments created the United Nations and have maintained it is, in itself, evidence that mankind is capable of responding to the challenge of interdependence, with which the evolution of human society has now brought us face to face as never before.”
The United Nations' predecessor, the League of Nations Union, who donated the birdbath to the local community as an emblem of global and lasting peace, was a hugely popular voluntary organisation with many members in Palmers Green and Southgate. They conducted a “Peace Ballot” in 1935-6 in which around 38% of the adult population participated. The birdbath inscription here “Let not their sacrifice be in vain” reflects this hope for peace inscribed on what is a peace promoting monument; remembering the over 500 civilians and forces personnel from the local area who died in World War II.
Enfield and the Barnets UN Association, which is part of the wider London and South East Region UNA, decided that the restoration of the birdbath, which builds on the previous restoration works of the associated war memorials by the War Memorials Trust in 2017, was a fitting local tribute to this important anniversary.
We would therefore like you to join Ann Cable MBE from the Greater London Lieutenancy in the unveiling of the restored monument and then Joanne McCartney AM and Bambos Charalambous MP, who will provide short overviews on the importance of global peace in today’s world on both the national and international stage.
The event will then be closed by Cllr Doug Taylor with the local perspective.
At the end of this the cafe in the park will be open if people wish to stay and chat further.
Sarah Hargreaves
Corrections
As originally published, this article stated that the ceremony was held on 18th October, not 17th, and used an incorrect title for Ann Cable's role.
