Events

Events: Past & Upcoming

ANITA HOUSTON LECTURE ON OCTOBER 25

In their 3rd annual tribute to UN activist Anita Houston, who died in March of 2007, the UN Committee of New Canaan and the New Canaan Library will co-sponsor a public lecture by Neil MacFarquhar, New York Times Bureau Chief at the UN, to be held in the Lamb Room of the Library on Sunday, October 25 at 4:00 p.m. Mr. MacFarquhar will give his perspective -- developed over his many years of growing up and reporting in the Middle East -- on Arab culture and its relation to the U.S and the UN.

When asked to comment on the upcoming program, Mrs. Houston's daughter, Marianna, stated, "It is clear that Anita would have cherished the opportunity to hear from Mr. MacFarquhar, not only because he is a Bureau Chief at her beloved New York Times, but because he will challenge assumptions, stimulate debate, and 'restore the horizon to our understanding' of the Middle East. We are deeply grateful to the UN Committee of New Canaan for so diligently and intelligently keeping Anita's love of intellectual growth and debate alive through this impressive lecture series."
Refreshments will be served following the program, and reservations are recommended by calling the library at 594-5000.

UN COMMITTEE AND NEW CANAAN LIBRARY COLLABORATE FOR ANITA HOUSTON LECTURE ON OCTOBER 25

Preparing for the third annual Anita Houston Lecture, scheduled for Oct. 25 at 4:00 p.m., are co-sponsors Cynde Lahey, Assistant Library Director,
and Al Knaus, Co-Chairman of the UN Committee of New Canaan. "We are fortunate to have signed on Neil MacFarquhar, UN Bureau Chief
of the NY Times, for our guest speaker this year," reported Mr. Knaus. "Having grown up in Libya, and served as AP correspondent in several
Middle Eastern countries, MacFarquhar has developed a thorough understanding of the cultures and problems of those nations and is expected to draw a large audience."

YMCA INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Among visitors to the 3rd Annual International Festival at New Canaan YMCA on March 29 were New Canaan resident Julio Zamora and his daughters Valentina (foreground) and Alejandra, seen here viewing scenes of Afghanistan provided by the UN Committee of New Canaan. The UN Committee continues to support two schools for girls which it established in 2005.

CATLEY-CARLSON WARNS OF WATER SHORTAGES

Margaret Catley-Carlson, Head of the World Economic Forum's Global Council on Water, discussed the state of the world's water resources at a public meeting on Monday, Feb. 23, 7:00 p.m., at New Canaan Library. Her lecture, entitled "WATER: A GREATER RISK THAN OIL", was co-sponsored by the United Nations Committee of New Canaan and the New Canaan Library.

Quoted just before the event, Sandra Arnold, secretary of the UN Committee and close friend of Ms. Catley-Carlson, said "she is an outstanding speaker and a world-renown leader who will surely cause those in the audience to think differently each time they turn on that water tap. Based on her knowledge of water management and conservation, she raises serious questions about our ability to deal successfully with the impending crisis of not having enough water available on our planet to meet humanity's needs. She believes that water shortages will lead to a crisis greater than that of oil shortages."

Ms. Catley-Carlson began her career in the Canadian diplomatic corps. After completing several foreign assignments, she returned to Canada to head CIDA, the equivalent of the U.S. Agency for International Development. She has also served as Deputy Minister of the anadian Department of Health and Welfare, as well as board chair of several organizations working specifically on water issues. In recognition of her work in health care, agricultural development, and water governance, she has been awarded her country's highest civilian honor, the Order of Canada. A reception followed the question and answer period.

(left to right): Sandy Arnold (Secretary, UN Committee), Margaret Catley-Carlson (Speaker), Cynde Lahey (Ass’t Director NC Library), Toddy Turrentine (UN Committee), and Al Knaus (Co-Chair UN Committee)

Al Knaus (Co-Chair, UN Committee), Sandy Arnold (Secretary, UN Committee), Larry Lawrence, Margaret Catley-Carlson (Speaker), and Mr. Carlson

2nd ANNUAL ANITA HOUSTON MEMORIAL LECTURE

Rory Stewart

Best-selling British author/diplomat Rory Stewart, whose analysis of the situation in
Afghanistan was the featured cover story in the July 28 issue of TIME Magazine.

Rory Stewart book-signing, after Anita Houston Memorial Lecture, 11/2/08

Shown below at a recent luncheon meeting in New York city are Susan E. Blabey,
campaign chair for the UN Committee's Afghan School Project, and Mr. Runnette,
discussing plans for Mr.Stewart's reception with Hassina Sherjan, Director of
"AID AFGHANISTAN for EDUCATION".   Ms.Sherjan, briefly on leave from Kabul to visit
family in California, joined the UN Committee and New Canaan Library in
welcoming Mr.Stewart. who will delivered the second annual Anita Houston Memorial Lecture.
Author of two acclaimed books, one on Iraq ("Prince of the Marshes"), and one
on Afghanistan ("The Places In-Between"), he resides in Kabul as head of the Turquoise
Mountain Foundation, formed to help preserve the arts of Afghanistan. Mr. Stewart was
awarded the Order of the British Empire for his services in Iraq on behalf of the British
Foreign Office, and has been recently appointed the Ryan Professor and Director of the
Carr Center for Human Rights at Harvard University.

Co-Sponsors Prepare for ANITA HOUSTON MEMORIAL LECTURE, NCHS, Nov. 2

Preparing for a public meeting with best-selling British author/diplomat Rory Stewart
are (l. to r.) Pete Runnette, Co-chairman, UN Committee; Cynde Lahey, New Canaan Librarystaff;Karen Stevenson, Library Board Chair; Al Knaus, Co-chair, UN Committee, and Susan E. Blabey, head of UN Committee Fund for Afghanistan. Mr. Stewart, whose analysis of the situation in Afghanistan was the cover story in the July 28 issue of TIME Magazine.

Author of acclaimed books on both Iraq and Afghanistan, Stewart resides in Kabul as head of the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, formed to help preserve the arts of Afghanistan. He has been recently appointed Ryan Professor and Director of the Carr Center for Human Rights at Harvard University.

Mr. Stewart's lecture will be the second in the annual Anita Houston Memorial Series, co-sponsored by the UN Committee of New Canaan and the New Canaan Library.

Hassina Sherjan, Director of AID AFGHANISTAN FOR EDUCATION Spoke at First Presbyterian Church, Nov. 2, 2008‏

AFGHAN SCHOOLS DIRECTOR RECEIVED DONATIONS, NOV. 2, 2008

At a reception for Hassina Sherjan, Director of AID AFGHANISTAN for
EDUCATION, in the home of Sandy and Tom Nissley, ,Peter Moyer of New Canaan donated $5000. for classroom computers needed by Ms. Sherjan in her schools in
Afghanistan.   Mr. Moyer, shown here with Ms. Sherjan and Susan E. Blabey, head of the UN Committee fund for Afghan Girls' Schools, requested that former donors at the reception match his amount for purchase of 75 computers. According to Ms. Blabey, five of Ms.Hassina's supporters immediately provided the necessary matching gift.

Ms. Sherjan gave an update on the status of her eight schools, two of which were established largely by New Canaan donors and located in the province of Badahkshan. She reported that all of her schools are funded by USAID through the Asia Foundation.   Also, Ms. Sherjan asked for funds to cover tuition fees ($5000 per student) for a few of her students now prepared to enter the new American University in Kabul.

Ms. Blabey praised the accomplishments of Ms.Sherjan over the past five years, citing the growth of the Afghan Schools under her leadership, and her recent award of Doctor of Laws from Queen's University in Canada. Anyone interested in learning more about the Aid Afghanistan for Education should visit www.uncommitteeofnc.org and www.aidafghanistan.net.

U.N. Day Flag-Raising, Town Hall, New Canaan, CT, October 24, 2008

DR. ZALMAY KHALIZAD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, was greeted recently by Co-chairmen Pete Runnette (l.) and Al Knaus, of the UN Committee of New Canaan, at a ceremony held in the Ambassador's honor by his supporters in Westport. The occasion was arranged by the UN Association of Westport, which holds its annual "June Day" event in
Westport for employees of the United Nations and their families.   Acccording to Mr.Knaus, the Ambassador showed a strong interest in making a public appearance in New Canaan sometime in the future.

TOM PARKER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE IRAN HUMAN RIGHTS DOCUMENTATION CENTER IN NEW HAVEN

Tom Parker, Executive Director of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center in New Haven, is shown with Loretta James (l), former chair of the UN Committee of New Canaan, and Mabel Dudeney, chair of the UN Study Group. Mr. Parker spoke recently at the annual luncheon of the Study >> Group, held at the Shore & Country Club of East Norwalk. According to Mr. Parker, his organization accepts authenticated documents and multi-media materials relating to human rights in Iran from donors around the world. Also, it is non-partisan, non-denominational, and was created by independent scholars to raise international awareness and promote accountability for human rights standards.

UN COMMITTEE BIDS FAREWELL TO REV. GARY WILBURN

Members of the UN Committee of New Canaan shared a light-hearted moment with Rev. Gary Wilburn during a brief ceremony last Thursday honoring Rev. Wilburn for his service and inspiration while a member of the Committee. Shown above (l to r) are Stephen Wise, Jane Knaus, Al Knaus (co-chair), Susan E.Blabey, Rev. Wilburn, Dr. Charlotte Brown, Alice Runnette, Hudson Stoddard, and Pete Runnette (co-chair), at the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan.

After presenting Rev. Wilburn with a plaque displaying photos of him with associates and friends during many years on the UN Committee, Mr. Runnette remarked that "Gary became the conscience of the UN Committee," and inspired such projects as the de-mining of landmines in Cambodia, and the establishment of a school for young women in Afghanistan. Also, it was reported that Afghan school director Hassina Sherjan, in an e-mail to Rev. Wilburn from Kabul, stated that "500 Afghan girls are being educated in Badakhshan province due to the commitment from you and others on the UN Committee of New Canaan for bringing positive changes to the world." Committee member Abby Wise, who was unable to attend the ceremony, said later that "Gary brought out the best in us." As previously reported, Rev. Wilburn is retiring as pastor of FPCNC for medical reasons and will soon move to California to live near his on and family.

UNITED NATIONS ADVOCATE TO SPEAK AT LIBRARY

Gillian Sorensen, senior advisor to the UN Foundation, will present her views on THE U.S., THE UN, and the WORLD on Sunday, October 21, at 4:00 p.m., in New Canaan Library. Sorensen was chosen by the UN Committee of New Canaan to be the first speaker in an annual series of lectures dedicated to the memory of Anita Houston, a long-time resident and UN activist who died last March.

At a moment in world history when demands for help from United Nations continue to come from Darfur , Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, Sorensen's address is expected to be both timely and provocative", reported Al Knaus, co-chair of the local UN Committee. Also, he described Gillian Sorensen as a person whom Anita Houston greatly admired for her years of experience as an assistant secretary-general, advisor for public policy, and a passionate defender of the United Nations. In Sorensen's own words, quoted in the UNA/USA publication, THE INTERDEPENDENT (Spring,2007): I am a teacher and an advocate, but I'm also a debater and defender... and a realist. I address the UN's flaws and failures and put them into perspective.

In her role as senior advisor to the UN Foundation, a public charity launched in 1998 by entrepreneur Ted Turner, Sorensen has traveled over 300,000 air miles, visited 110 cities, and has spoken to students at over 70 U.S. colleges and universities. There is always a core message, she explains. That the UN is a valuable institution, that America has a profound national interest in its success, that working with the UN is the possible way to share the burden, the risk and the cost of collective actions. But I also explain that the UN is much more than peacekeeping....and I talk about the power of one..... I urge people to act.

Gillian Sorensen grew up in Michigan, attended both Smith College and the Sorbonne, and worked several years as New York City's commissioner for the United Nations, before she joined the UN staff of Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali in 1993. She is married to Ted Sorensen, former attorney and special counsel to President John F. Kennedy.

The Anita Houston Lecture Series is co-sponsored by the UN Committee of New Canaan and New Canaan Library, and funded in part by the Houston family. Students and adults are invited at no charge. Refreshments will be served following a question and answer period. For further information, call 966-8224 or 966-0766

Boris Lipovetsky and Becca Kroll, co-Presidents of the NCHS Red Cross Youth Corps present a check for $500 to David Scannell, treasurer of the UN Committee of New Canaan to support Aid Afghanistan. "According to Mr. Scannell, the $500 gift from the NCHS Red Cross group will help maintain two girls' schools in northeast Afghanistan that were established in March 2005 by the local UN Committee. Approximately 500 young women are receiving an education previously unavailable to them under Taliban rule. Further contributions from others in New Canaan may be made to AID AFGHANISTAN, % UN Committee of New Canaan, Box 446, New Canaan.

The UNICEF Committee of the Womens Club of New Canaan joined Jane Knauss, a member of the United Nations Committee of New Canaan, at The Bank of New Canaan on Wednesday, November 8th, to receive a check for their UNICEF collection, counted by the Bank. Presenting the check for $429.08 to Mrs. Knauss, second from right, is BNC Personal Banker Noel Pascarella (far right). Members of the Womens Club who worked with local merchants to distribute and pick up the boxes throughout town are (left to right) Winifred Johnson, Lissa Barker, Janice Dingee, Helen DeBlasi, Catherine Hollstein and Edna Cody.

Mary Fetchet, Director of New Canaan-based VOICES OF SEPTEMBER 11TH, explains the highlights of the Afghan students' photo exhibition, now on display at Norwalk Community College, West Campus. Susan Hardesty, NCC Collectivist who set up and opened the exhibit last week, is seen third from left with student visitors and an NCC security guard (r.). According to Ms. Hardesty, the exhibit has attracted much attention among NCC students and will remain open to visitors on a daily basis until the end of November.

Co-sponsoring the exhibition with Ms. Fetchet's "VOICES" group is the UN Committee of New Canaan, which arranged for the Afghan photos as part of cultural exchange program with two schools the committee established in Afghanistan in March 2005. Other institutions interested in borrowing the exhibit are encouraged to contact the UN Committee at (203) 966-8224.

An exhibition of photographs taken by young women students in Afghanistan will be on display at Norwalk Community College (West Campus) beginning on UN Day, Oct. 24. Shown above preparing for the opening show are (l to r) Melissa Guerrero-Slattery, NCC public relations; Susan Hardesty, NCC collectivist, and Al Knaus, Co-chair of the UN Committee of New Canaan, which loaned the exhibit to the college.

According to Mr. Knaus, NCC is the third institution to exhibit the photos, which were first shown at the Carriage Barn in New Canaan and later at the Mariposa Museum in Peterborough, New Hampshire. "This is an extraordinary exhibit, because its very poignant images were taken with "point and shoot" cameras in a remote region of Afghanistan by girls who had no previous knowledge of photography", he reported.

The photography project was originally designed to bridge linguistic and cultural differences between New Canaan students and those attending two schools in Afghanistan founded with donations collected by the UN Committee of New Canaan. The exhibit is co-sponsored by Voices of September 11th, New Canaan-based leader in "Building Bridges" with other cultures to counteract terrorism. Mary Fetchet, founder of "Voices", regards "this exhibition as an opportunity to increase respect, acceptance and open-mindedness to another culture."

On opening night, a reception will be held at the East Campus at 6:30, followed by a showing of the film "OSAMA" depicting the life of an Afghan girl during the Taliban regime, it was reported.

The United Nations' flag was hoisted at Town Hall to observe UN Day, on Oct. 24, an annual event sponsored by the United Nations Committee of New Canaan. To commemorate the founding 61 years ago, former UN Committee Chairman Hud Stoddard read the official proclamation to adults and students who attended. Students from New Canaan Country School who raised the flag are (l.to r.), Hadley Holmes, Ethan Specter, Jesse Weyher, Ted Growney, Stephen Nason, and Sarah Canty. Adults from the UN Committee (l. to r.) are Anita Houston, Topsy Post-Pfeil, Pete Runnette, Al Knaus, and George Maranos, Town Administrator.

Anthony Lake, Head of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, gave New Canaan's annual campaign for UNICEF a big boost last Sunday at New Canaan Library. Mr. Lake, a "hometown boy" who attended both public schools and St. Luke's, made a pitch for the world's children in need, after first addressing an overflow audience on problems facing the U.S. in the Middle East.

Shown with Mr. Lake are local UN Committee member Jane Knaus (l), and Anita Houston, Hon. Chair of the UN Committee. According to Mrs. Knaus, who coordinates the town-wide UNICEF effort, New Canaan's public and private schools are participating in the drive, along with the Women's Club, which distributes to local businesses, and the Chamber of Commerce, which fills the bags for children marching in the Hallowe'en Parade. "The Bank of New Canaan has generously offered to count all money collections, but requests that money be removed from UNICEF boxes before turning it in to the bank", she added.

Preparing for the general public, including old friends of "hometown boy" Anthony Lake, are New Canaan Library Director David Bryant (l), and UN Committee Co-chair, Pete Runnette, both of whom applauded the opportunity for people to hear Mr. Lake discuss "The Middle East and other National Security Problems" on Sunday, Oct. 22, at 4 p.m. in the Lamb Room.

Anthony Lake
4 PM Sunday, 22 October 2006
The Lamb Room, New Canaan Public Library
"The Middle East and Other National Security Problems", a lecture by Anthony Lake (click here for bio)
Mr. Lake's credentials, as reported in last week's Advertiser, include his service as National Security Advisor to President Clinton, 1993-1997, and Director of Policy Planning in the State Department under President Carter. He is currently chairman of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

Refreshments will be served and seating is limited.

Gillian Sorensen Speaks to UN Study Group and UN Committee at Anita's Houston Home, June, 2006

(l to r) Anita Houston, President, UN Study Group, Al Knaus (Co-Chair, UN Committee), Gillian Sorensen (Senior Advisor, UN Foundations), Pete Runnette (Co-Chair, UN Committee, New Canaan)

Ms Sorensen addressing group; Anita in background left

On March 12, 2006, the UN Committee held an Afghan Cultural Event at the Carriage Barn Art Gallery in Waveny Park. The occasion served to celebrate the fulfillment of our two-year commitment to the AID AFGHANISTAN School Project. Highlighting the program will be an exhibition of excellent photographs taken by local students, along with rather remarkable photos taken by students from our two Afghan schools. In addition, the program will emphasize aspects of Afghan culture and include light refreshments.

The public was invited (click here to see the invite) to the opening celebration and to the photo exhibition which extended for several weeks thereafter. We believe the event provided a unique opportunity for young and old alike to enjoy, to learn, and to support a worthy humanitarian cause. Watch local newspapers and this website for further details.

Speaking to a full house at New Canaan Library Oct. 23, Yale Professor Paul Kennedy delivered his opinion of how the United Nations might be reformed. According to Kennedy, controversial reforms requiring charter amendment are practically impossible to achieve, unless steps are taken first with small acceptable reforms. Any attempt to increase the permanent membership of the Security Council, for instance, should be preceded by a vote to increase the number of non-permanent members, which would not require amending the charter. If enough small reforms are made, eventually the larger changes would be more acceptable, in Prof. Kennedy's view. To make his point, Kennedy quoted from Rudyard Kipling's phrase: "...softly, softly, catch the monkey."

Our Information Table on at the New Canaan Sidewalk Sale on July 16th was busy and well-united, raising money for, and communicating information about, our Aid Afghanistan School Project

Tom Brokaw spoke to the community on Afghanistan on June 5 at the New Canaan Country School Auditorium, and in strong support of our School Project.

For photos in connection with the Brokaw event, and Hassina Sherjan’s visit to New Canaan of May 21-23, see Pictures.

Our 2nd year funding drive is now underway. Please look at our project summary to see how you can help.

Steve Coll was recently awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his book Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10th, 2001. We would like to congratulate him and again thank him for his aid to our cause.

Our own Susan Blabey was interviewed by the New Canaan Advertiser about our Aid Afghanistan project. Take a look here.

Please reference Hassina's website, Aid Afghanistan (www.aidafghanistan.net), for additional information on our Afghanistan School Project.

YMCA International Fair

Visiting the UN Committee's information booth at the 2nd annual YMCA International Fair held Sunday, March 9, are Mr. and Mrs. Derek > Geiger of Down River Road. Japanese-born Mrs. Geiger was one of several women who wore clothes conforming with the style of their native countries. Curious to know how the UN Committee functioned in New Canaan, the Geigers were told that in 2008 the Committee will promote and support the Anita Houston Lecture next Oct. 26, featuring British author Rory Stewart speaking about Afghanistan. During the same month they will conduct the annual UNICEF campaign for children, observe UN Day on Oct. 24 at Town Hall. At present the committee is exploring possibilities for international student exchange programs in New Canaan. Co-Chairmen Pete Runnette and Al Knaus reported that the public is invited to UN Committee meetings, the next one to be held at 10:00a.m. on Thursday, March 20, at New Canaan Library. For more information, call 966-8224 or consult our website www.uncommitteeofnc.org.

Jane Knaus with visitor

Nicki Jezarian (Fair organizer) with Al Knaus and Nair father & son

Derek & Asto Geiger looking over materials

Jane Knaus with Nicki with Fair in full swing

Mike, Nicki and "Y" director Craig Panzano

Afghan Schools Get A Boost from Local Resident

Peter Moyer, a New Canaan resident with a long-time interest in international affairs, is seen above handing over a check for $15,000 to Susan E. Blabey , head of fund-raising for the education of 500 girls at two new schools in Afghanistan. The schools were established in 2005 under auspices of the UN Committee of New Canaan, whose co-chairmen Pete Runnette (l), and Al Knaus are also pictured in a presentation recently held during a meeting of the committee at New Canaan Library. According to Ms. Blabey, the donation from Mr. Moyer came just in time to pay teachers' salaries and maintain the schools until funding from the Asia Foundation in Afghanistan could provide long-range support.

After meeting school director Hassina Sherjan during her first visit to New Canaan in 2004, Mr.Moyer found most compelling her plans to educate 500 Afghan girls who had never been allowed schooling under the Taliban government. "With some basics in the 3-Rs, Afghan women and girls could aspire to become micro-entrepreneurs, to educate their children, and to try to persuade their male family members that peace is a better path to follow than warfare. Hassina's energy and commitment to this goal is impressive," Moyer told the Committee members. Also, he has urged other New Canaan residents to join him in further support, as new students enter the school program.

October 4, 2007 - Anita Houston

Anita Houston, prominent activist for the United Nations and officially proclaimed New Canaan's "Ambassador to the World", will be memorialized with an annual series of public programs on international issues involving the United States and the United Nations. In a special tribute to Mrs. Houston, a lecture on "The U.S. , the UN, and the World" will be delivered by Gillian Sorensen, senior advisor to the UN Foundation,a public charity in support of UN programs and policies. Mrs. Sorensen's talk will take place on Sunday, October 21, at 4:00 p.m., New Canaan Library.

According to Pete Runnette, co-chair of the local UN Committee, and David Bryant, Library Director, their two organizations, and the UN Study Group, will co-sponsor the "Anita Houston Memorial Lecture Series" . It was reported that the series is funded in part with a generous gift from Anita Houston's four children: Marianna, Katherine, Jean and Andre.

Until her death last March, Mrs.Houston was president of the UN Study Group and honorary chair of the UN Committee of New Canaan. Members of both groups were asked how they remembered Mrs. Houston. They answered as follows:

"I learned from Anita to be more disciplined - more scrutinizing- in my reading of the news. She was very concerned about the state of the world and how events were portrayed in the news media. One morning about 7:30 she called while I was half asleep and asked, "Toddy, my dear, what are we going to do about Pakistan?'
(Toddy Turrentine).

"Anita was a tireless activist who never missed an opportunity to support the United Nations. Even in her 90"s, she continued to drive into New York City to attend
gatherings on behalf of the UN. I loved the way she used her great sense of humor to elevate the truth and demolish hypocrites." (Al Knaus)

"I remember her steadfast devotion to international affairs, her amazing ability to get people to do things, and the way she enriched our lives by connecting us to people all over the world." (Topsy Post Pfeil)

"It was a privilege to know Anita. There was a kindness about her; she spoke softly with a twinkle in her eye. She was always encouraging. An extremely bright woman who never flaunted her intelligence." (Mabel Dudeny)

"Anita cared deeply about diplomacy in the developing world. We often discussed the state of affairs in Afghanistan . She was especially concerned about the welfare of Afghan girls and women." (Shekaiba Wakili-Bennett)

""Over the years I've known her, Anita has made my small world so much larger." (Carol Clarkson)

" Anita's love and concern was to draw everyone closer to the world-at-large, with the UN as our number one hope for avoidance of world war. Understanding people
better, she said, 'was forever preferable to guns and bombs'." (Hudson Stoddard)

New Canaanites Join Westport Tribute to Anita Houston

Friends of Anita Houston were joined by Democratic candidates Sally Hines (for First Selectman) and Penny Rashin (for Board of Selectmen), shown at Saugatuck School in Westport at the annual picnic held June 30 by the UN Hospitality Committee of Westport for employees of the United Nations. Anita Houston, well-known leader of the Hospitality group in past years, was honored for her work in the opening ceremonies. Mrs. Houston, who died last March, had served both the UN Study Group and the UN Committee of New Canaan for many years, it was reported. Shown above are (l. to r.): Molly Peckham, Penny Rashin, Jane Knaus, Sally Hines, Ann Andresen, Lillian Trujillo, Michaela MacColl (Westport Hospitality President), Aye Aye Thant (head of U Thant Institute), Dorothy Williams, Alice Runnette, Diane Baker, and Holly Rohde.

Candidates Join Annual Celebration for United Nations Groups in Westport

Offering their support for the United Nations and paying tribute to New Canaan's Anita Houston, Sally Hines and Penny Rashin, candidates for New Canaan's First Selectman and Board of Selectmen, respectively, are pictured above at the Saugatuck School in Westport on June 30 for the annual "jUNe Day" reception organized by the Westport/Norwalk UN Committee for over 250 United Nations' employees and their families. Shown with Ms Hines and Ms Rashin are Pete Runnette, Co-Chairman, UN Committee of New Canaan, and the Rev. Gary Wilburn, First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan. According to Mr. Runnette, a full day of refreshments, games and meetings with friends was preceded by Rev. Wilburn's tribute to Anita Houston, a "feisty fighter for world cooperation and international partnership." Ms. Houston died last March at the age of 93, after a "remarkable career" of volunteer service and support for the United Nations. Other speakers were Gordon Joseloff, First Selectman of Westport, Michaela Maccoll, head of the Hospitality Committee, Irving Stolberg, President of the UN Association of CT, Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed, Under-Secretary General of the UN, and Ibrahim Gambari, Senior Advisor to the Secretary-General. Those who attended from New Canaan included members of the UN Committee of New Canaan and the UN Study Group over which Ms. Houston presided for many years.

UN Committee of New Canaan To Honor Former Leader Anita Houston

NEWS RELEASE, 6/21/07 Leader To honor Anita Houston, their former chair and head of the UN Study Group, the local UN Committee has initiated the "Anita Houston Lecture Series" in co-sponsorship with the New Canaan Library. Speaking at the library for the first event on October 21, at 4 p.m. will be Gillian Sorenson, Senior Advisor of the United Nations Foundations. Ms Houston, who died last March, was known for her "very strong support of the United Nations and her abiding interest in positive U.S. involvement in world affairs". According to Mr. Knaus, she was proclaimed "Ambassador to the World" in a UN Day ceremony at Town Hall, following her 50 years of providing hospitality to UN diplomats. Also, it was reported that official tributes to Ms Houston will be offered during the annual United Nations JUNE DAY celebration on Saturday, June 30 in Westport, an all-day event headed by the Westport-Norwalk UN committees for area citizens and guest diplomats from the United Nations, New York.

Community Loses a Leader Devoted to International Affairs

Anita Foulilhoux Houston, Chair of New Canaan's UN here to view obituary. sImages/6-2007press.jpg" width="400" height="300"> Shekaiba UN Committee of New Canaan To Honor Former (for details, call 966-8224) Study Group has died. Click

Afghan Photo Exhibit at The Bank of New Canaan

A segment of the traveling photography show, Roshan: Light & Promise, consisting of starkly contrasting photos by young women in Afghanistan and high school students from New Canaan High School and St. Luke’s School, has come to the Elm Street branch of The Bank of New Canaan and will be on display there through February 2007. The photos represent a cultural exchange project by students at two girls’ schools in Badakhshan Province and our own local high school photography students.

Roshan means “light” in Dari, the language of Northern Afghanistan. It also means “clarity” and “understanding.” The theme reflects a photo exchange project that provides visual insights into life in Afghanistan through the lens of a camera. In October of 2005, the Afghan students were given 40 disposable cameras by Andrea Camuto, an American photojournalist on assignment in Afghanistan. After explaining the concept of the cultural exchange and negotiating the necessary approvals, she gave the Afghan girls the cameras and a very brief lesson on their use. The themes that they documented included family, friendship, “A Day in the Life,” Social Events, Food, Clothing and Environment. The result of the photo assignment is an outstanding array of images that reflects the contrasting lifestyles in Afghanistan and New Canaan and open our understanding to a culture so different from our own.

In all likeliness, the Afghan students involved in the project have never had a photograph of themselves or their families, let alone a camera. And yet they seem to be naturals behind the lens and in front. The Badakhshan students’ images were developed in Kabul, digitized there and then sent to New Canaan on CD. They are presented here with the absolutely minimum of editing.

The work of the New Canaan students in this exhibit at the Bank is primarily by those taking Introduction to Photography with Jeanne McDonagh, Photography teacher and Project Coordinator at New Canaan High School. And, universal themes that all the students shared.

As New Canaan’s only locally-owned, independent commercial bank, The Bank of New Canaan is committed to providing the highest possible level of value to the community and takes pride on displaying locally-based art and photography shows. For more information regarding the current exhibit at the Bank, please contact Diane Knetzger at 972-3838.

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