A New York, il Presidente mondiale della Jci, Kevin Cullinane, ha incontrato il Segretario generale delle Nazioni Unite, Kofi Annan
JCI is a perfect partner for the UN, an indispensable NGO, because its members are young people ready for action and result-oriented.
-- Gillian Sorensen, UN Foundation Senior Adviser and National Advocate
 On November 29, 2005, JCI President Kevin Cullinane met with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan at the UN Headquarters in New York. He was accompanied by JCI Secretary General Edson A. Kodama and JCI Director of Growth and Development for the Americas Edmond Sakai, who also manages JCI-UN relations at the JCI World Headquarters.
One of the objectives of this historic meeting was to raise awareness at the UN of JCI's successful completion of projects aligned to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Therefore, President Cullinane presented a report on the best MDG-related projects conducted by JCI national and local organizations around the world, based on a resolution adopted at the 2003 JCI-UN Leadership Summit."
JCI members, entrepreneurs in their 20's and 30's, have adopted specific MDGs and have become MDG advocates in their communities," explained President Cullinane. He also pointed out that JCI, awakening young people's interest in the future of their communities, is contributing to peace and democracy in the Middle-East and all over the world.
JCI as a UN Partner
Secretary General Kodama discussed how JCI national and local organizations are contributing to the UN MDGs. "After the many documents and resolutions JCI has signed over the years, I'm pleased and honored to report that JCI, as a UN partner, is conducting concrete projects to offer solutions around the world," he said.
President Cullinane stressed JCI's mission. "JCI Members contribute not only to the advancement of their local and national communities, but also to that of the global community by developing their leadership skills, social responsibility, entrepreneurship and fellowship necessary to create positive change," he said. He mentioned the successful JCI World Congress in Vienna, where more than 5,000 delegates from all over the world had worked to create positive change.
Secretary General Annan praised JCI's ability to maintain harmony and global understanding among thousands of young people from multiple ethnic groups, cultures, and religions. He also applauded JCI's efforts to achieve the MGDs. "I congratulate JCI for embracing the UN MGDs as a tool to create better leaders," he said.
A Long History of Collaboration
Junior Chamber International (JCI) was established in 1944 and the United Nations (UN) in 1945 to promote peace and "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war." General Assembly structure is similar to that of the UN Assembly.
Throughout the years, JCI has collaborated with the UN on numerous projects. In 1948, JCI's International Affairs Commission worked with the UN to promote free trade among nations by making uniform passports easily available and standardizing visa regulations.
In 1976, JCI took part in "Habitat, The United Nations Conference on Human Settlements." On Sept. 15, 1987, then UN Secretary General Javier Prez de Cullar recognized JCI as a Peace Messenger for its contributions to the International Year of Peace, 1986.
In June 1991, JCI conducted an International Model United Nations (IMUN) at the UN Headquarters in New York. Endorsed by then UN Secretary General Javier Prez de Cullar, this meeting was one of the first of its kind to be conducted at the prestigious UN General Assembly Hall.
In August 1995, to celebrate the UN 50th anniversary, JCI held a Conference at the UN Headquarters in New York.
In August 2003, JCI conducted the JCI-UN Leadership Summit at the UN Headquarters in New York to learn how JCI and its national organizations can most effectively contribute to the work of the UN.
In July 2004, JCI officers, national and local officers and members from all over the world gathered in New York for the JCI-UN Leadership Summit.
On November 28, 2005, the JCI representatives met with Gillian Sorensen, UN Foundation Senior Adviser and National Advocate, and thanked her for her assistance. "JCI is a perfect partner for the UN, an indispensable NGO, because its members are young people ready for action and result-oriented," said Sorensen.
In November 29, 2005, at the meeting with Secretary General Annan, JCI confirmed its role as an active UN partner and an effective UN link to civil society.
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