January 1, 2020 saw the launch of the United Nations UN75 initiative - the largest, most inclusive conversation on the role of global cooperation in building a better future for all. The initiative will see the UN spark dialogues throughout 2020 in diverse settings across the world.
With a massed choir, performance artists, and eminent guest speakers, Middlesbrough's UN75 event will be Teesside's major contribution to the UN's 75th Anniversary conversation about the future we want - and the UN we need to create it.
UN75: Shaping Our Future Together takes place at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Wednesday, January 29 from 7pm.
Throughout the event, local young people from across Teesside, led by Tees Valley Music Service, will perform songs from Peace Child - a musical that imagines the world in 2050, with its nations and peoples at peace, poverty eradicated and the climate stabilised.
The UN75 dialogues together with a ‘One-minute Survey' that anyone can take, opinion polling in 50 countries and artificial intelligence sentiment analysis of traditional and social media in 70 countries, will generate compelling data to inform national and international policies and debate.
In calling for participation, Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General said:
"No country, no community, is able to solve the complex problems of our world alone. We need to come together, not only to talk, but to listen. It is absolutely essential that you all join the conversation. We need your opinion, your strategies and your ideas for us to be able to deliver better for the people of the world that we must serve."
The views and ideas that are generated will be presented, by the Secretary-General, to world leaders and senior UN officials on September 21, 2020, at a high-level event to mark the 75th anniversary
When asked, "Why Middlesbrough?", Producer Tom Powell said:
"Quite simply, it's where I grew up. As a local lad from Teesside, I moved to the Big Smoke - chasing and career in the creative arts. Working with Peace Child International in 2019, I was reminded of my perpetual frustrations that the North East is repeatedly excluded from big conversations - whether in art, politics or in other spheres. For a change, I have the opportunity to bring local conversations from Middlesbrough, into the global conversation."
Those who want to be a part of the conversation - physically or online - can like us on Facebook:
@UN75Middlesbrough
or buy tickets through the Middlesbrough Town Hall box office.
https://www.middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk/event/un75-shaping-our-future-together/
