United Nations Gather for Local Luncheon

Westport's ties run deep with the United Nations. For decades, jUNe Day has offered a day of celebration and relaxation for diplomats. Daw Aye Aye Thant, daughter of the third secretary general in the organization's history, resides here in town.

Now, the bonds will be strengthened. Tickets are on sale for the U Thant Institute's seven annual Ambassador’s Luncheon at the in Fairfield. It will begin at noon on June 4 with a reception.

The theme this year is "Path Toward Democracy and Freedom in Africa and the Middle East."

“This is more or less to promote awareness of global neighbors,” said Thant. “Each year, we address different regions and issues facing that region. Our first year in 2004 we focused on South East Asia at an event held at Longshore Country Club. This year of course we felt that Africa and the Middle East were critical.”

The luncheon will support the U Thant Institute’s Friendship Across Cultures program--developed to advance peace through education and to promote international understanding through a network of middle school students from around the world.

Boutros Botrous-Ghali, sixth secretary general of the United Nations will be honored as the recipient of the 2011 U Thant Award for World Peace. He will not be present but will send a DVD message.

Speakers will include ambassador Maged Abdelaziz, permanent representative of Egypt to the United Nations, and Professor Ibrahim Gambari, secretary general special representative in Darfur. Other guests are U.N. ambassadors, high-level representatives and supporters of the U Thant Institute over the years.

The luncheon (with door prizes, entertainment and a raffle) is a rare opportunity for the public to become familiar with the Institute’s work as well as offer a chance to meet United Nations’ Ambassadors in an intimate setting.

The U Thant Institute was inaugurated at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on December 3, 2003 by its founder and president, Thant, to continue to honor the accomplishments of her father, Maha Thray Sithu U Thant, secretary general of the United Nations from 1961 to 1971.

Following Burma’s (Myanmar) independence from Britain in 1946, U Thant became the first government’s director of broadcasting and was appointed secretary to the Government of Burma in the Ministry of Information. In 1957, he was appointed Burma’s permanent representative to the United Nations, with the rank of ambassador (1957-1961). He retired from the U.N. at the end of his second term in 1971 and died in 1974.

“The mission of our institute is carry on the vision of my father by promoting awareness of issues and problems facing different regions,” said Thant. “We have a friendship and cross-cultural programs and two events each year. In the spring we have our Ambassador’s Luncheon in Connecticut and in the fall we have one in New York at the United Nations. We also have a scholarship program for high school students in Myanmar.”

The Institute hopes to raise funding to sustain its work that covers many parts of the world. 

“Our board members and trustees offered me recommendations as to what this year’s luncheon should focus on,” said Thant. “These are busy people, but I know them personally for many years. We have to be sensitive to their schedules-- Professor Gambari is one of our trustees and he is coming here from the Sudan. Ambassador Abdelaziz is in Indonesia right now but he will be flying in for the luncheon. I’m very grateful to them both.”

Details on the Event

Before his appointment as Egypt’s permanent representative to the U.N., Ambassador Abdelaziz was diplomatic adviser to the President of Egypt and served as his Official Spokesperson from 1995 - 2005. Additionally, from 1997 - 1999 he served as Deputy Permanent Representative of Egypt to the U.N. and Principal Representative to his country on all disarmament issues.

Professor Gambari of Nigeria currently serves as the joint African Union-United Nations' special representative for Darfur. Gambari was also the permanent representative of Nigeria to The U.N. and chaired the U.N. Special Committee Against Apartheid.

Dr. Joseph Baxter, executive director of the International Institute of Connecticut, will moderate the program. Westporter Bill Haas, president of the United Nations Association of Connecticut will serve as master of ceremonies.

“If people are unable to attend the luncheon they can still support the Institute by sending (tax deductible) donations in any amount to support our scholarship or any of our causes,” said Thant.

Luncheon selections include roasted fillet of beef, pan-seared Scottish salmon, chicken Marsala and vegetarian.

Tickets ($125 for general seating, $400 for priority seating, $85 for student sponsors) must be reserved by May 30. Checks should be made payable to The U Thant Institute, 5 Sue Terrace, Westport, CT 06880 or through PayPal. Transportation will be provided from the Fairfield Metro-North train station for guests traveling from New York.  Please advise if arriving by train. The Brooklawn Country Club is at 500 Algonquin Rd.

For further info please email: admin@uthantinstitute.org.