On 21 March UNRIC held its first screening of films about the UN.
CINE-ONU is an initiative aimed at anyone interested in learning more about the work of the UN and provided an opportunity for an audience of more than one hundred enthusiastic students to visit the UN Regional Information Centre in Brussels, to understand the work of UNRIC.
The evening began with an introductory talk about the centre by the Director – Ms Afsane Bassir-Pour, followed by a brief introduction to the library.
The first film screened, by the independent film maker Charles Bernard, was “UN Foot Soldiers” which focused on the work of three young UN staff engaged in field missions. It highlighted their commitment to the goals of the UN and their passionate beliefs despite occasional doubts, fears and disappointments. It was dedicated to Jean-Selim Kanaan a rising star in the UN, who was working for the UN special representative to Iraq when he was killed in the bombing of UN Headquarters in Baghdad in August 2003.
Charles Bernard attended the event and after the film answered the many questions put to him by the audience.
The second part of the evening featured four short films produced by the UN:
From peace to politics; Burundian Women Take Charge.
Agnes Pareyio – UN Kenya’s person of the Year 2005.
Deadly Catch – Lake Victoria’s AIDS Crisis.
Mother Aysha – Micro-credit in action in Gaza.
The event was so well-received that the plan is to screen many more films about the UN throughout the year.
Here are a few of the comments made by the audience:
“You and the others made it possible for me to see again, albeit for a few instants, full of life, energetic and dynamic as he always was, my dear friend Jean-Selim, who died in Baghdad with Nadia and the others. It was very moving for me.”
“The films and presentation were very engaging and informative in conveying the true situations that those on UN missions were involved with. Excellent!”