WELCOME !

The United Nations Committee of New Canaan began in 1952 in response to President Eisenhower’s appeal to local communities to honor the US-UN relationship on the day in October when the UN was formed.  The Committee has recognized this date annually, engaged throughout the year in various activities which highlight international issues, and encourage international understanding.  A recent example is the Committee’s Aid Afghanistan School Project, which was dedicated to funding the start-up of two new schools in northeastern Afghanistan, offering a two-year “catch-up” curriculum to Afghan girls denied access to education during the Taliban rule.  Prior to that effort, the Committee raised the funds necessary to clear landmines from a Cambodian village.

The Committee was led for years by Anita Houston, often referred to as New Canaan’s “Ambassador to the World", devoted as she was to the United Nations and to international understanding.  In memory of her abiding interest in international issues challenging both the United States and the United Nations, the Committee has established, with the aid and support of the Houston family, a lecture in her name, to be held annually on, or close to, October 24th, or UN Day.