Jeff Barry, past project manager for the Artists Involved for Nations United campaign, spent 3 months in 2010 establishing the first Nations United film centre in Beirut, Lebanon in partnership with local organizations Women’s Humanitarian Organization and IJMA3. Located next to the Bourj Al Barajne refugee camp, the film centre has a regular attendance of between 20 and 30 students daily. Jeff also trained the staff at Women’s Humanitarian Organization in photography and video camera basics, and provided similar training to the Girls! Girls! Club located within the camp.

For the month before we celebrate our one year anniversary by posting an entirely new website and announce exciting news and projects, we are encouraging you to take a last look over our current site and see how far we have come. The encouragement comes in the form of a quiz competition. On the homepage you will have the option to take part in the Nations United Quiz. The quiz consists of two questions, the answers to which can be found by looking through www.nationsunited.org. We appreciate if you have any comments about our site, things you would like to see improved or added, ideas for projects or collaborations, or just general comments. Please don’t hesitate to email us.

Our sponsors have generously given $5000 worth of prizes so take part now! The competition will be open from February 17th to March 17th, only one entry per person will be valid, and the winners will be announced and contacted by email on March 21st.

Good luck and we look forward to your entries.

The campaign component of Nations United consists of a group of individuals who have strong beliefs in the great achievements that can be accomplished when we come together as individuals, nations and countries. The mission of Nations United the organization stems from this belief in the power of unity and is as follows: to build bridges between humanitarian developmental projects and donors and/or sponsors who have the means and desire to support. This mission initially entails learning about the initiatives, assisting with the development of their projects, and building strong proposals and media kits in order to allocate funding. Nations United then supervises and further develops the initiatives with the host organization.

What we found was that the initiatives we worked on could be classified into seven categories based on their nature. The Big Seven of Nations United was born after 7 months. These campaigns deal with various issues: Freedom International for Nations United (FINU) works to integrate refugee communities into national cultures; Entrepreneurs United for Nations United (EUNU) served as a platform between donors, sponsors, and investors on the one hand, business’ seeking investment; Women Empowered for Nations United (WENU) works to enforce women’s rights internationally through educational sponsorship; Health Initiatives for Nations United (HINU) targets targets the poor health of underprivileged communities through education, guidelines, and aid policy restructuring; Children Enlightened for Nations United (CENU) puts children in-touch globally, creating a sense of global awareness at a young age; Positive Act for Nations United (PANU) changes the world through positive thinking initiatives; and Artists Involved for Nations United (AINU) provides the underprivileged with the tools to become artists.

In the first year of Nations United, there are three organizations which we have worked particularly closely with. Women’s Humanitarian Organization (PALWHO) with the help of Nations United has set up a sponsorship system which sees Palestinian women able to attend the Beirut-Arab University where they take Women’s Studies. Nations United represents PALWHO internationally and allocated monthly funding to this wonderful organization. Girls&Football SA is a organization run by a team of young women who are attempting to achieve Millennium development goals by empowering and educating women in South Africa through sports. Nations United allocates monthly funding toward this organization and helps them to fundraise in North America. Nations United also supports the Child Well-being Fund of Ukraine who work towards creating conditions in which Ukrainian children can reach their full potential as human beings. I am the international spokesperson for their organization and am working on increasing their public relations in North America.

Nations United started in a country whose principles of unity and peace is an inspiration – Canada. Locally, we have been focused on providing bright young Canadian university graduates employment. Laila Maiden and Cameron Schallenberg, both recent graduates are employed by Nations United. Nations United also supports young Canadian talent in the arts. The Rising Stars element of our organization seeks out talented young artists, performers and designers and features them on the website. We also offer our rising stars exposure and a generous bursary. As a Canadian organization, Nations United also brings Canada to the international stage through its participation in various international events and with various international public figures. Lastly, Nations United is proud to declare that Laila Maiden has been nominated as The Lebanese Woman of the Year – a prestigious award given out at the Beirut Film Festival. Nations United is proud of Laila’s achievements and is happy to represent a strong and capable women who is such a role model.

Inspired by the journey of such an organization and the efforts and passion of all involved, Nations United is making a feature film which presents a fictional woman, Nu, who will travel through the nations, bringing them together through a unique and important idea. A dark man will rise to stop Nu from her mission. Following the dynamic relationship between an assassin and a predominant figure, Nations United’s Feature film is a story of love, mystery and action. It is currently in pre-production and the title and trailer will be released on March 17th.

Until March 17, the one year anniversary of Nations United, we remain working on our projects, and together with talented people in Toronto, we are working to release Nations United’s first commercial.

Sincerely,

Chaker Khazaal

Chaker Khazaal and Christian Paré have been working on pre-production of the upcoming feature film. The script in nearly finalized, a film title has been selected and the casting for actors has begun. Sourcing locations and forming partnerships with production companies is currently being explored and early indications show that there is a lot to be excited about. With each day that passes, Nations United takes one step closer to sharing the story of Nu and her inspiring journey.

Nations United continues to allocate monthly contributions in support of Girls & Football South Africa who have recently premiered the documentary film, “Can I Kick it? The Untold Story of Women’s Football in South Africa.” This unique cinematic perspective discusses the challenges inherent to female football in the region while exploring practical solutions in sport and in life. Entering a second phase of support, Nations United has covered tuition costs for a group of Palestinian women attending Women’s Studies at the Beirut-Arab University. This initiative is a partnership coordinated with the Women’s Humanitarian Organization (PALWHO) in Lebanon.

Nations United is teaming up with emerging local artists to produce a video promoting the 7 campaign initiatives. This collaboration will provide international exposure for young artists and the video will premier at the UNESCO Palace during the International Film Festival of Lebanon in March 2011.

Share peace and Nations United

A new year is unfolding—let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others. As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things are possible with help and guidance.

Into each new day let us add thoughts of faith, patience, courage, hope and kindness. Remember each day to rest, pray and meditate. Start your day in good spirits, have fun, play and be in good humor, smile.

As we look into the past year, we look at a block of time. We see 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes. And all this time is a gift. We have done nothing to deserve it, to earn it or to purchase it. Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life. The gift of time is not ours alone, it is given equally to every person. Rich and poor, educated and ignorant, strong and weak—every man, woman and child has the same twenty-four hours every day.

“This is a time for reflection as well as celebration. Look back on the past year and all that has taken place in your life.

Remember each experience for the good that has come of it and for the knowledge you have gained.

Remember the efforts you have made and the goals you have reached.

Remember the love you have shared and the happiness you have brought.

Remember the laughter, the joy, the hard work, and the tears.

And as you reflect on the past year, also be thinking of the new one to come.

Because most importantly, this is a time of new beginnings and the celebration of life.”

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”

Nations United wishes you all a Joyous, Prosperous and Peaceful 2011.

by Christian Paré

Hello Friends,

The Nations United team would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and generosity over the past nine months. Nations United through its diverse campaigns has become a giant system of bridges; linking ideas, projects, peoples and nations together. In the process we have brought many people from all around the world together in the name of unity and peace. Nations United manages and facilitates relationships between different and nationally diverse organizations, each contributing, in their own way, to global unity.

We wish to express our gratitude to all those who have given generously, their time, invaluable guidance and financial support to our campaigns and fundraisers. In order to keep our growing international campaigns running, we rely on these contributions and we ask that you keep them coming. Every dollar or every hour of your time goes directly towards sponsoring our campaigns or humanitarian causes, whether it be; an education for Middle Eastern Women; teaching Palestinian refugees valuable life skills, including film production; helping orphaned Ukrainian children battle their way out of institutional care and into loving and trained families; giving talented local Canadians a chance to shine; or allowing South African girls and women to excel in their communities through the sport of soccer. 2010 has been a successful year for Nations United and you are all a huge part of this success.

With Nations United celebrating its first holiday season this year, let’s take a look at how far we have come in a short nine months. Our network of global support reaches over 78 countries, with film centers either currently established or being developed in these countries. Nations United is also well into production of its 1st feature film, ‘Nations United – The Film.’ Set for release later in the New Year. The script is nearing completion and important casting choices are underway. This festive season is a special time for Nations United, because we like to step back and look at our hard work and achievements and reflect on our campaigns, the film, and the global dialogue we have created. It is our belief that this dialogue will bring the countries and parties of the world together. Please join us in celebrating our ninth month as we look forward to the New Year and take a stand for unity and peace. Make this a fundamental theme for 2011, whether it is in your communities or in the international community at large, togetherness and unity are the first steps in overcoming conflict.

Right now Nations United is acting as the bridge between different causes, campaigns and projects throughout the world. During the holiday season, we ask you to take this opportunity to help these communities; In Lebanon, the Women’s Humanitarian Organization (PALWHO) sponsors Palestinian refugee women to attend the Beirut-Arab University to study Women’s Studies; In South Africa, Girls & Football SA encourage young South African women to take larger roles in their communities through the game of soccer. In Kiev, Ukraine, The Child Well-being Fund Ukraine is working diligently towards creating conditions in which young children can foster and develop into strong members of their community. Please get in-touch with Nations United to help support these wonderful programs.

The holiday season is a time when people come together in the name of peace and festivities. Nations United envisions a world in which this togetherness is not a season, but a permanent way of being. Enjoy your holidays, relax, share a smile and remember… you are the difference. We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year. Best Holiday Wishes, Chaker Khazaal & The Nations United Team