Do you have a story to share about the end of World War II? Did your parents, grandparents or other close relatives or friends fight in the war or serve in any capacity? Were they refugees from a country affected by the war? Were you or someone you know one of the many people who worked out of the first UN offices at Hunter College in the Bronx? Or, do you know any of the people or any of the stories of the first group of UN staff members hired in 1946– who later called themselves “the Mohicans?” Perhaps you were part of the first peacekeeping efforts in 1948? Or are you from one of the 51 countries that formed the UN?
Whatever your story on the end of World War II and the beginnings of the United Nations, AFICS/ NY would love to hear from you as we prepare to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the founding of the UN in our June 2025 Bulletin. We'll let you know of any commemorative events being planned by the UN, and how we, as AFICS/NY can participate. It is also the 50th anniversary of our federation, FAFICS - and we look forward to celebrating with our sister associations around the world.
So, send us your stories about what you've been up to in retirement, your personal stories about how the end of WWII and the beginning of the UN in 1945 affected your personal and professional life and choices. Include stories about your parents, uncles, aunts and other family relations who lived through these milestone historical moments.
Your contributions should include:
- Your name, as you would like it to appear in the Bulletin.
- The story you wish to tell in 400 to 1000 words.
- Historical photos, photos of memorabilia, or other visual material, with details (to the extent known) of the date, location, identification of what/who is pictured in the photo, and the person who took it.
- A photo of you, the author/AFICS/NY member.
Please email all submissions by 15 March 2025 to afics@un.org June 2025 Bulletin submission. We also welcome earlier submissions and more general member updates.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Gail Bindley-Taylor
Chair of the Communications Committee