Ulrika Modéer: UN Friend of the Year 2024 – A Celebration of Advocacy and Commitment
Well, hold onto your hats, folks, because we’ve got some news from the posh circle of the United Nations that’s as juicy as a ripe Swedish meatball! The illustrious Ulrika Modéer, former Assistant Secretary General of the UN, has snagged the coveted title of UN Friend of the Year for 2024! Now, that’s what I call a highly regarded title. I don’t know about you, but I’m still waiting for my ‘Most Likely to Dominate the Snack Table’ award from seventh grade!
Set your calendars for Thursday, folks! The award ceremony will unfold in Montreal’s – oh sorry, I meant Stockholm’s – concert hall as part of a seminar on UN Day. This is where they’ll all gather to pat each other on the backs while munching on some lavish Scandinavian treats. And who could forget the Minister of Foreign Affairs – I bet they’ll sprinkle in a few heartfelt words that’ll make everyone feel warm and fuzzy inside, or at least until it’s time for the cheese platters. Seriously, who doesn’t love cheese?
For those of you who think awards are just fancy paperweights, let me enlighten you! Ulrika Modéer isn’t just another face in the crowd. No, no! She’s been a major player, strutting her stuff in the UN debate both in Sweden and globally. If the UN were a theater, she’d be the leading lady – donning that sparkly gown, basking in the spotlight, and commanding attention. Her mantra? Cooperation! It’s the secret ingredient for tackling the world’s challenges – because we all know that trying to fix the planet solo is like trying to share a pint of ice cream and keeping the spoon to yourself. Good luck with that!
The Justification:
To further embellish her accolade, the association declared:
“Ulrika Modéer has been very visible in the UN debate… She is a strong voice for the work of the UN and she emphasizes the importance of cooperation to solve the challenges facing our earth and humanity. Ulrika has also been a recurring and well-seen guest in the Swedish UN movement and she is a role model for many.”
For those keeping score, Ulrika’s award isn’t just another plaque to add to her collection; she is the 20th UN Friend in this illustrious order, joining a long line of notable humanists and do-gooders from the wild world of diplomacy. And because life is too full of surprise endings anyway, she recently took the reins as the Secretary General of the Swedish Red Cross. Talk about multitasking!
Meet the UN Supporter of the Year:
Just when you thought the festivities were over, enter stage left: Jan Lindelöf, named the UN Supporter of the Year! Sounds fancy, right? Jan’s been championing the UN cause like a Viking on a mission since the 90s. The guy has been tirelessly waving the UN flag, energizing `Kristianstad’s` UN association with seminars, demonstrations for Ukraine, and has even opened a haven for Ukrainian refugees with fellow organizations. Can we give this guy a round of applause? Or at least a hearty thumbs-up? Why not both!
His justification reads like a romantic novel for activists:
“Jan Lindelöf works tirelessly to make UN work visible in Kristianstad… With his insightful contributions to the debate and his large network of contacts, Jan is a great asset in the Swedish UN movement.”
It seems like Jan’s got more connections than a teenager in high school! If only he could use that power to get us all backstage passes to live concerts. Can you imagine the chaos?
The Future and the Climate – Yes, Please!
The Swedish UN Association’s seminar promises not just talking heads but also a sprinkle of musical entertainment. Rumor has it, it might feature tunes about save-the-planet initiatives, but really, let’s pray it leans more towards uplifting beats than a dirge about climate change – as we are all tired of crying over our eco-anxiety every Friday night.
Attending the event will also be the new foreign minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard. She’ll likely bring fresh ideas and possibly some political drama a la ‘House of Cards’ – who needs Netflix when you’ve got global diplomacy in the room, right?
Wrapping It Up
So, to wrap it all up, this award ceremony isn’t just another page in the UN’s book of honor; it’s a yearbook entry that documents how Ulrika Modéer and Jan Lindelöf are shaping the future with their tireless efforts as vibrant advocates of the UN ideals. It’s like they’ve taken the phrase “making the world a better place” and expanded it into a vivid mural of action and commitment.
Until next time, keep an eye out for meatballs, music, and most importantly, for people working quietly behind the scenes to make our world a healthier, happier place. Because let’s face it, folks, we could all use a sprinkle of kindness, or let’s say a sprinkle of Swedish cinnamon rolls!
