The Song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” was composed in 1780. It refers to the 12 days starting with Christmas and ending on the Feast of the Epiphany. I wondered what it might be like if there were a version for the UN…considering events in 2016 and what we might wish for 2017.
Your UN NGO representatives wish you a peaceful and blessed New Year!
On the First Day of Christmas, the UN gave to me,
Peace and Security
With all that has occurred in Aleppo, the Central American Triangle, South Sudan, and many other locations, may God grant us peace everywhere!
On the Second Day of Christmas, the UN gave to me,
Two new world leaders
Peace and Security
Secretary-General Elect Antonio Guterres, of Portugal, and his Assistant Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, of Nigeria. They take office January 1, 2017
On the Third Day of Christmas, the UN gave to me,
Habitat III
Two new world leaders
Peace and Security
On the Fourth Day of Christmas, the UN gave to me,
The New York Declaration
Habitat III
Two new world leaders
Peace and Security
On the Fifth Day of Christmas, the UN gave to me,
A More Effective SC (Security Council)
(The Security Council addresses many more problems than most people think; but obviously, we must avoid travesties such as Aleppo in the future)
The New York Declaration
Habitat III
Two new world leaders
Peace and Security
On the Sixth Day of Christmas, the UN gave to me,
Six efficient UN branches
(There are six main organs of the UN. Secretary General-Elect Antonio Guterres promises internal reform at the organization)
A More Effective SC
The New York Declaration
Habitat III
Two New World Leaders
Peace and Security
On the Seventh Day of Christmas, the UN gave to me,
Climate Pact Ratification
Six efficient UN branches
A More Effective SC
The New York Declaration
Habitat III
Two New World Leaders
Peace and Security
On the Eighth Day of Christmas, the UN gave to me,
The 8.7 Alliance (to combat human trafficking, forced labor, and modern slavery)
Climate Pact Ratification
Six Efficient UN branches
A More Effective SC
The New York Declaration
Habitat III
Two New World Leaders
Peace and Security
On the Ninth Day of Christmas, the UN gave to me,
Nine wins for young people
…at the 71st UN General Assembly….see The UN’s Office of the Secretary Generals’ Envoy on Youth by clicking here
The 8.7 Alliance
Climate Pact Ratification
Six Efficient UN branches
A More Effective SC
The New York Declaration
Habitat III
Two New World Leaders
Peace and Security
On the Tenth Day of Christmas, the UN gave to me,
The 10th SDG (Work on the 10th Sustainable Development Goal has to do with reducing inequalities within and among nations; the theme at many UN events in 2016 was “leave no one behind.”)
Nine wins for young people
The 8.7 Alliance
Climate Pact Ratification
Six Efficient UN branches
A More Effective SC
The New York Declaration
Habitat III
Two New World Leaders
Peace and Security
On the 11th Day of Christmas, the UN gave to me
11 New CEDAW members
(CEDAW is the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; 11 new members were elected to its Committee in June, 2016)
The 10th SDG
Nine Wins for young people
The 8.7 Alliance
Climate Pact Ratification
Six Efficient UN branches
A More Effective SC
The New York Declaration
Habitat III
Two New World Leaders
Peace and Security
On the 12th Day of Christmas, the UN gave to me,
Sustainable Consumption (SDG 12)
11 new CEDAW members
The 10th SDG
Nine Wins for young people
The 8.7 Alliance
Climate Pact Ratification
Six Efficient UN branches
A More Effective SC
The New York Declaration
Habitat III
Two New World Leaders
PEACE AND SECURITY
Very creative way to remember important facts about the UN! Thank you!
Great summary of amazing successes at the UN in 2016. Thank you.