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Video showing Councillor Teresa Murrey raising our UN flag on Friday 24th October 2025
Our flag - raising event at to mark
80 years of the United Nations
To mark the 80th Anniversary of the formation of the United Nations, Medway UNA held a flag raising ceremony at Medway Council at Gun Wharf.
Our Medway United Nations Association committee stood in front of flag before the raising, see picture left.
Councillor Teresa Murray gave a speech at our flag raising, here's the text.
Thank you to everyone who has come to join us today to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.
This year in Medway we have already enjoyed fantastic celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day with involvement right across our diverse communities and commemorated the 80th anniversary of VJ Day in a more sober but equally sincere way,
The formation of the United Nations in 1945 was intended to maintain international peace and security, protect human rights, deliver humanitarian aid and support sustainable development and climate action.
Those five auditious pioneer countries including the UK came together in hope and expectation that their joint ambitions would condemn the ravages of War and affirm the determination to prevent suffering for the future while reaching out to the rest of the world to join them.
Today 193 countries have joined the United Nations almost countries in the world who despite the instability we can see sadness in some kind in some places like Gaza and Ukraine and still have a shared purpose to end wars and offer those affected the support and resources to recover that they need and deserve.
The United Nations charter encaptulates those long held values and ambitions, reminds us of the founding missions, purposes and principles of the UN and that this important organization is empowered as an instrument of international law able to confer equality on the sovereignty of a state as well as when necessary being able to order international economic sanctions or military action on any state breaking international law.
The United Nations also works across the world to combat poverty, disease and the impact of climate change with the latter often causing most distress to those least likely to contribute to the negative impacts of human activity.
This years theme for the 80th UN Assembly was Better together, 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights and ambitions, I know everyone here will sign up. The United Nations is also working this year to focus on the positive contribution co-operatives can make to trade and development, something I am pleased to celebrate of a Labour and Co-operative Council.
The UN is also focusing on 100 years quantum science and technology by supporting new developments which can help to improve quality of life across the world.
I am proud to be raising the flag today and grateful for the optimism and ambition that the United Nations continues to work for.
Medway United Nations Association (UNA) and Rochester Cathedral
mark United Nations Day on Friday 24th October 2025
'Join us in building a global community connected in its pursuit of equality, sustainability & peace'
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United Nations Day is celebrated annually on October 24 to mark the anniversary of the UN Charter coming into effect in 1945. It's a day to honour the UN's formation and the work it has done, while also reaffirming the UN Charter's key principles. On 24 October 2025 the United Nations will celebrate the 80th anniversary of its formation in 1945 when when it came into existence after its Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and by a majority of other signatories.
As the UN turns 80 this year, the “UN80 Initiative” builds on ongoing efforts, including the Pact for the Future and UN 2.0, which aim to update the UN’s structures, priorities, and operations for the 21st century.
Medway United Nations Association (UNA) works to support the principles and work of the United Nations and its agencies. Jessica Giles, Chair of Medway UNA said "We are delighted that Medway Council is supporting the work of the Medway branch of UNA-UK. At a local level a special flag raising event will take place at 10am on Friday 24th October at Gun Wharf to commemorate the day, as well as raising the profile of the UNA and its work in Medway. We are delighted to invite members of the public and community leaders in Medway to join us in this ceremony.
80 years ago the United Nations was created to secure the possibility that nations may resolve potential conflicts peacefully, to alleviate poverty, hunger and the ravages of disease. It has proved itself to be an effective and influential agency of global cooperation. In these troubling times, it still remains the world’s best hope of achieving the original ideal enshrined in the Charter: peace and justice with a healthy environment and dignity for every human person.”
Jessica Giles for UNA Medway said “ The United Nations Association - UK (UNA-UK) has been a leading advocate for the UN from its inception. Our mission in 2025 remains the same as it was in 1945: enshrining the values of the UN in the hearts and minds of the public, ensuring strong UK support for the Organization, and advocating ways to make the UN more effective.
More than eight decades later, the need for the UN – and UNA-UK – has never been greater. Together with our UK-wide network of members and supporters, and our partner UN Associations across the world, we continue to make the case for a strong, credible and effective UN and campaign for a safer, fairer and more sustainable world."
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10.00
Medway Council, Gun Wharf - flag raising
United Nations flag raising at Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham ME4 4TR, to mark the 80th anniversary of United Nations Day. Members of the public are welcome to come along to the ceremony
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11.00 – UNA Coffee Morning at Rochester Cathedral
All are welcome at Ithamar Chapel, Rochester Cathedral Crypt. Entrance via North (side) door of the Cathedral.
*If you are intending to come to our coffee morning, please rsvp us at Medwayuna@gmail.comso we can put your name as an attendee for the Cathedral.
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17.30
Rochester Cathedral
Prayers will be mentioned for Medway United Nations Association.
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OUR MISSION
To build movements for systemic transformation at the UN and to advocate for UK action for global cooperation.
A United Nations Association (UNA) is a non-governmental organization that exist in various countries to enhance the relationship between the people of member states and the United Nations to raise public awareness of the UN and its work, to promote the general goals of the UN.
Saturday 11th October 2025
Our first Medway UNA talk
Medway resident talks about her experiences on the West Bank
Medway United Nations Association (UNA) received a presentation from Mel Moss on her experiences as a Human Rights Witness and Monitor in the Palestinian West Bank for three months earlier this year. The event took place in the Huguenot Museum in Rochester High Street and was Medway UNA's first annual lecture. Well attended, it proved to be an extremely interesting and eye-opening talk.
After an introduction by Medway UNA's chair, Jessica Giles, Mel talked about her experiences going out to the West Bank as part of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. Set up by the World Council of Churches in 2002 following a call for help from Churches in Jerusalem. The Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) are volunteers from any faith or secular background and they have placements lasting three months.
Mel explained to the audience that her role as an EA was to witness and accompany vulnerable individuals and communities, engage with those communities in deterring violence from Israeli military and armed settlers and to help people feel safer. Under International Humanitarian Law an occupying army is responsible for the protection of civilians but in parts of the West Bank they are the cause of fear.
The presence of EAs deterred settlers from upsetting farmers’ sheep, harassing Palestinian children going to school and the military from destroying Palestinian property. She explained and showed through slides some of the restrictions placed on Palestinians by the Israeli occupying forces. Restrictions such as not being able to get planning permission to build a house, with cooking facilities were inside a cave. Another example given was of the fact that Israeli settlers come under Israeli Civil Law, whereas Palestinians come under the auspices of the Israeli military.
Mel also met the Oscar nominated film makers who made 'No Other Land' an Israeli-Palestinian film collaboration set on the Occupied West Bank.
It's made by a group of Israeli and Palestinian directors and is set in the occupied West Bank, showing the destruction of villages.
Mel received a trophy from Medway UNA to mark the event and Mel being the UNA's first speaker, which is hoped to be the start of an annual event.
At the conclusion of her talk Mel handed out leaflets setting out details of where we could obtain more information about the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel and took part in a question and answer session with the audience.
Above - Our trophy awarded
Left image - Mel Moss on the right, talking about her experiences on the West Bank
Medway Youth Conference
On 26th February, Beth, Nick and Alan attended the Annual 2025 Medway Youth Conference! @medway.youth and @myc.medwayyouthcouncil
Medway UNA was one of many of the stalls located at the Corn Exchange Rochester, and it was great to speak to so many school children about the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals at the event.
19 schools, and over 100 students visited the event and it was fantastic to see students taking an interest in global affairs and coming together to explore this topic and to take part in conversations.
Thank you to everyone who visited our UNA stall.
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WORLD RADIO DAY - 13th February 2025
UNA Medway marked the day by sending Alan Wells to be interviewed by Sunlight Radio, which is a community led radio station based in Gillingham at Richmond Road.
Alan was asked about the role of UNA's and how the Medway branch was formed, the United Nations as well as information about World Radio Day.
World Radio Day is celebrated on February 13th each year. It was established in 2011 by UNESCO to recognize the radio's role in connecting people and communities.
To celebrate radio's history, relevance, and future and to promote international cooperation between radio broadcasters.
To encourage access to information and freedom of expression and to reflect on the power of radio.
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UNA Medway's first 'Blue Monday' chased the January blues away!
Blue Monday is an annual day that is often regarded as the most depressing day of the year. It typically falls on the third Monday in January. However, UNA Medway decided to chase the January blues away.
Our first 'Blue Monday' event was was held on Monday 20th January. Organised by our Chair Jessica Giles and Beth Atkins, everyone was asked to bring something blue, and everything from a blue plate to blue cheese was contributed. A short speech by Medway Council's Deputy Mayor Douglas Hamandishe began the evening.
Jessica Giles, Chair of Medway UNA said "It was a dark, and cold January evening and “blue Monday” is a day when people feel most “down”. But it did not feel like it in Medway, as we hosted our first "Blue Monday” event. It was a great chance to have a bite to eat, a drink and a chat with faith groups across Medway, our UNA members and the local community".
A variety of dishes was contributed by all and the evening provided a positive social experience with the focus on creating a supportive and welcoming environment for everyone to gather and connect. The evening was full of friendship in a warm welcome space fuelled by human warmth. It was a great way to learn about each other's beliefs and faiths and to celebrate our differences but focus on our common beliefs and values.
Medway UNA, the community and members of Medway's Inter Faith Action * (MIFA) which fosters friendships across people of different faiths came together to share food and fellowship to combat the post-holiday blues and lift spirits.
Alan Wells, Press officer, Medway United Nations Association
