Prince George, B.C. – There is a new association in Prince George, one that aims at providing local voices to international issues. The United Nations Prince George Association- Prince George Branch has been established.

Kate White, who is head of the United Nations Associations of Canada, based in Ottawa, says the Association thought there was a missing respectful conversation on resource development. The UN Association created a table top discussion which saw participants reverse their roles, basically looking at the issue from the other side of the issue. For example, if the discussion was about oil pipelines, those from the oil industry would take on the role of someone in the environmental protection sector, and vice versa.

White says there is already work underway in Prince George on food source security which is a world issue “So already there has been a knowledge transfer that I will be bringing to Ottawa.”

So far, the Prince George branch has eleven members,   who are labeled, “global citizens”.

“We hope to continue bringing educational programs on international issues that people can discuss to this community” says Giulliana Tamblyn who is the President of the local association.

She says the Association provides an opportunity for residents to think Globally and act locally.