Group meets about UN issues

In his new role as Vice President of a Queens group that gathers to discuss and respond to issues involving the United Nations (UN), Flushing resident John Tandana hopes to recruit more international members.
After being elected to the Queens Chapter of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) last month, Tandana has reflected and believes that this should be his top goal for the group.
The UNA-USA, which is already 135 strong, boasts members born in a dozen different countries - Tandana himself is a native of Indonesia - but with the diversity that exists in Queens, he hopes to engage even more immigrants.
“As the new Vice President, I would like to take advantage of our location and to build a chapter of all the diversity that exists in the United Nations,” Tandana said. “You can find people from all over the world in Queens.”
Members’ countries of origin include Ireland, Armenia, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and South Korea.
At their meetings held monthly in Queens Borough Hall, the UNA-USA mostly discusses international issues, like poverty, health care, humanitarian aid, and armed conflicts. Queens Borough President Helen Marshall serves as an honorary Board member, and the group has 21 directors.
The group’s goal is to support United Nations activities, mobilize Queens residents to action and to learn more about the cultures of other countries.
In addition, the group pays tribute to the United Nations, which six decades ago was housed within the Queens Museum of Art. Even today, about 40 percent of UN employees reside in Queens.
On October 24, the Queens Chapter of UNA-USA is planning a celebration for the 62nd anniversary of UN Day, commemorating the day that the United Nations Charter went into effect in 1945.
“Unfortunately, the Queens community is not often aware of our organization,” said Tandana, a real estate consultant and small developer by profession. “Right now, I’m taking a break and dedicating more time for this organization.”
Tandana also serves as Executive Vice President of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) Long Island chapter.
For more information on UNA-USA, visit www.unausa.org, call the Queens Chapter at 718-630-9345 or email info@unaqueens.org. The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Queens Borough Hall, located at 120-55 Queens Boulevard, in Room 213, at 7:30 p.m.