Posted by Ariel Sim

Once a year, the United Nations Association puts on an annual meeting event. This year, the theme is ‘Tucson:City of Refuge’ and is highlighting both the refugee populations in Tucson and the general, larger immigrant community. Tucson is a place where people come for various reasons, but we’re all able to grow, heal, and work together to solve some of the region’s issues (and maybe change the world just a little bit). We’ve still got a lot of mountains to climb, but these events try to highlight what good is already being done and what the next challenges are.

The keynote speaker will be Jeffrey Cornish, Executive Director of the IRC (International Rescue Committee), one of the largest refugee organizations here in town. Uzoamaka Nwankpa, a health practitioner and artist, will give a personal testimonial of her immigration story from Nigeria, highlighting her work with the IRC and Tucson arts community. She’ll be sharing some of her wonderful dancing and movement also. Finally, Richard Noel from Sticks and Fingers will be playing smooth Caribbean steel drums during the banquet buffet.

The tickets are $25 a person and include lunch, speakers and entertainment. There will also be a raffle. People who support the cause but cannot go themselves can sponsor someone to go in their place: a refugee, a student, or a UNICEF store volunteer. Partial sponsorships are also great, but I’d really like to get YOU there.

The UN association is really trying to reach out and engage a larger audience here in Tucson, so come out and enjoy the event! Good people, good music, good food.

The event is next Saturday, May 18th, at the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, starting at 1130AM. RSVP by May 15 Ariel Sim  at 480-203-0039 or message me on Facebook!

Edited by Uzo.