Danish UNA Pays a Visit to UNA-NYC: “We Should All Work Together”

Danish UNA Pays a Visit to UNA-NYC: "We Should All Work Together"

The astonishment was clear on the faces of the Danish United Nations Association members when they visited UNA-NYC for a meeting on the 44th floor of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP on the 16th of May 2023.

"This must be one of the best views in all of New York," one of them said as the group gathered in front of the big window facing directly towards the Empire State Building. After they soaked in the view, UNA-NYC Executive Director Ann Nicol invited the group into the conference room where she had prepared a presentation on the United Nations Association of New York. Ms. Nicol discussed some of their important initiatives, such as the Worldview Institute, the Summer Scholars Fellowship, and the annual UN Day Gala. The Danish group listened carefully, offering plenty of questions once the presentation was over.

Finn Reske-Nielsen, the vice-chairman of the Danish UN Association, then took over. He briefly explained the history of the Danish UN Association, which has existed since 1970, and its role in Danish politics and civil society. The conversation quickly turned into a discussion about a possible future cooperation between the two associations. Ms. Nicol suggested a new program, which would a focus on Denmark and its role within the UN, including a visit to the UN City Copenhagen (image below), which houses 11 UN agencies and more than 2,000 employees on two campuses in Copenhagen.

The idea was happily welcomed by the Danish UN Association, resulting in a promise from both sides to stay in touch and look at these possibilities, before the delegation departed, taking in one last glimpse of the spectacular New York skyline.

Reportage: Siri Franceschi