Johnson County United Nations Association (JCUNA) held the “Night of 1,000 Dinners” on Thursday, March 6, in celebration of International Women’s Day. The JCUNA event originated in the 1990s, although its focus has changed significantly.
“Around the turn of the 21st century, our national organization [UNA-USA] launched an initiative to raise money to clear landmines around the world, and Iowa UNA participated from the beginning,” said Jim Olson, former JCUNA president and current board member. “One program had people across the world holding dinners on the same night to raise money for landmine clearance, hence the name, ‘A Night of 1,000 Dinners.’”
Today, the “Night of 1,000 Dinners” is still an annual JCUNA celebration, but with a reimagined initiative: recognizing women-led organizations that promote United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Since 2001, the annual event, co-sponsored by the Office of Equity and Human Rights, University of Iowa (UI) International Programs, and several other community organizations, has been recognizing women-led organizations that promote U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. This year, JCUNA focused on Sustainable Development Goal three: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for everyone of all ages.” In particular, JCUNA emphasized the health and well-being of immigrants and refugees in the Johnson County community, and around the world.
“One purpose of the event is to underscore our advocacy agenda,” Olson said. “Our call is to support the U.N. and encourage the U.S. to be a constructive member. We look for opportunities to advocate on important issues, which is why we chose to support refugees and immigrants this year.”
The organizations funded and honored this year are the Prairielands Freedom Fund, Free Medical and Dental Clinic, and the Healthy Start for Refugee Children, a U.N. initiative of the Shot@Life and Beat Malaria campaigns, which provide immunization and health services to refugee children in East Africa.
Along with recognizing these three organizations, the event included an auction of cultural artifacts; an international buffet, featuring a Togolese-dinner theme provided by an immigrant-owned business in Johnson County; and videos from each of the honored organizations. The event was presented to the audience in multiple languages to recognize non-English speaking community members in Johnson County.
“It’s wonderful to see the diversity that is within our community in one space, and celebrating that is really moving,” Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague told International Programs. “I really do think that having this opportunity to hear many languages takes it to a different level—to not just say we celebrate something, but we’re experiencing it. That’s what makes Johnson County such a unique place to live.”
Two UI law students at the event, Aeja Pinto and Kathryn Linehan, said they attended because they thought it was a great opportunity to learn and connect with others.
“A lot of our conversations take place online now, and people sometimes forget how to talk to others,” Linehan said. “It’s a better foundation to build trust by communicating with others face-to-face, because you might find out you have more in common with people than you think you do.”
Pinto, a first-year law student, said she valued how the program touched on various cultures, and gave guests the opportunity to try new things.
“You don’t know what you don’t know,” Pinto said. “Understanding other perspectives is something you’ll take out into the world with you when you’re by yourself, going about your day. Even something as simple as dinner tonight—I had never tried this kind of food before.”
Linehan highlighted how technology has interrupted the typical manner in which people meet, which is why it’s important to make time for community events like this.
“Take the time to get to know your neighbors,” Linehan added. “Whether it’s food, music, or conversation, this is something that’s fun and accessible to learn more about.”
Olson said the best way community members can support these types of issues is by communicating.
“They could speak up and speak out,” Olson added. “This event and our community prove that small communities can make big differences around the world.”
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.
