This week, I finally went to visit the U.N. here in NY.
The visit is interesting not only because of the importance of the building in itself and its history, but, especially as a reality check. We know that there are tons of problems in the World and that as much as we wished to solve them all, it's not that easy. So, even if the U.N. is sometimes (at least I do) seen as this huge, bureaucratic machine where "important" people meet to talk and talk for endless hours and nothing seems to be solved, it's important to be reminded that without this organization the World would probably be in a worst shape than it is today.
Our guide was the first to criticize the whole system and the inefficiencies involved in it, but she also said something very important. For her, as a staff of the U.N., if she knows that another child went to bed, fed and safe today, then it is a victory. She's right, big changes come from an accumulation of small victories.
I was extremely moved by the visit and by some facts and figures that I learnt. Did you know that some mines are manufactured to look like "yo-yos" and are then dropped on the streets, so that kids can pick them up, thinking they are just toys, and then they explode? Did you also know that it would take around US$4bn/year to feed 66 million children that are undernourished? If that seems a lot of money to you, then you should know that countries around the world spend approximately US$2bn/DAY in military expenditure?
There are plenty of ways to help. But I found out that they have a very nice bookshop and gift shop, in which 100% of the sales proceeds are donated to the U.N. They sell toys and books for kids (the same found at Amazon or other toy shops). The variety is not huge, but if you happen to be in the neighborhood and need to buy a gift, it is a nice way to help (no need to pay the entrance to access the store).
Also, another fun way to make the children help is through the website Freerice.com. It is an educational game and for each right answer, the organization donated 10 grains of rice through the World Food Programme.
P.S: The Visitors Centre will close in April for renovations that will take between 2 and 3 years. So if you'd like to see it as it is now, don't wait too long.
Also, I don't recommend taking young children. There's nothing interesting for them to see there, the visit take approximately 1 hour and strollers are not allowed.
Also, I don't recommend taking young children. There's nothing interesting for them to see there, the visit take approximately 1 hour and strollers are not allowed.
