Chipping Norton Town Council proudly support Chipping Norton Amnesty to fly the United Nations Flag on United Nations Day. This is an annual commemorative day, reflecting the official creation of the United Nations on 24 October 1945 (78 years ago today).
Amnesty International campaigns to protect human rights and for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all.
Human rights is a cross-cutting theme in all UN policies and programmes in the key areas of peace and security, development, humanitarian assistance, and economic and social affairs.
Kate Ward from Chipping Norton Amnesty welcomed everyone to the flag raising and noted that the purpose of Amnesty is so relevant today, with so many wars taking place across the world. Kate outlined that Amnesty work to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Cllr Alex Keyser remembered his grandfather John Keyser who was the Secretary with the UN just after its formation. Deputy Mayor Cllr Steve Akers led a minutes silence in memorial of all those who have lost their lives in conflicts around the world. Cllr Akers noted how important is is to raise the flag, supporting the UN’s calls for peace and ceasefires in all of current conflicts around the world.
The ‘UN blue’colour of the flag was selected because blue represents peace in opposition to red for war, the laurel leaves symbolise peace.
