Kuwait United Nations Resident Coordinator Speaks as Part of Social Awareness Week at AUK

Kuwait United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Mrs. Valerie Cliff gave a lecture at the American University of Kuwait where she presented an overview of the Mission of the United Nations in Kuwait. Mrs. Cliff spoke of the dynamic between the government here in Kuwait and the UNDP's mission of advocating certain policies and providing the necessary expertise. The dynamic rests upon two agendas; that of the Kuwaiti government and the global agenda or the millennium goals set forth by the UN in 2000. 
 
Mrs. Cliff commended Kuwait on its economic development but mentioned three areas that Kuwait and the UNDP need to address, these are: environment, gender equality and good governance. She continued by saying that the extent of change of local policy and the measure of influence is a long term process, but that the UNDP is committed to creating sustainable national structures in Kuwait and to the moral role the UN plays in Kuwait and around the world.

Mrs. Cliff encouraged students to do volunteer work while they are young to help the UN's mission in promoting social causes. She said, "it is not only about contributing money, but contributing yourself...serving humanity'.

For Additional Information on the Kuwait United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mrs. Valerie Cliff Speaking as Part of Social Awareness Week at AUK or of Social Awareness Week in general, please contact the Office of Student Life or visit www.auk.edu.

The American University of Kuwait (AUK) is an independent, private, equal opportunity, and co-educational liberal arts institution of higher education. The educational, cultural and administrative structure, methods and standards of AUK are based on the American model of higher learning. The lanuage of instruction is English. AUK and Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire (USA) have worked closley together since 2003, when the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding. More information on Dartmouth College can be found at www.dartmouth.edu.

Established by Amiri Decree 139 in 2003, AUK was accredited in 2006 and re-accredited in 2008, by the Council for Private Universities, Ministry of Higher Education - State of Kuwait. More information can be found at www.auk.edu.kw
 

Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, the AUK President, welcomes Mrs. Valerie Cliff
 

Mrs. Valerie Cliff gives an overview of the Mission of the United Nations in Kuwait
 

A view of the audience
 

The events were attended by many AUK students