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Texas Board of Education Cooks the Books; Inaccurately Portrays the Role of the United Nations

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Washington, D.C. (May 24, 2010) – The Texas State Board of Education voted last week on party lines to adopt a controversial social studies curriculum that includes a false characterization of the United Nations. Peter Yeo, Executive Director of the Better World Campaign, issued the following statement in response to the board’s inaccurate portrayal:

“Last week, the Texas Board of Education cooked the books for their youth on the truth about the United Nations. The UN, which is housed in the United States, was established by a treaty signed in San Francisco, under the leadership of the U.S. in 1945, and does not in any way challenge any individual country’s sovereignty.  In fact, the United States’ foreign policy goals and security are further enhanced by engaging at the UN. Participation in the UN ensures international cooperation in combating global problems from disease to poverty. U.S. representation on the UN Security Council, where the U.S. has a permanent seat, helps ensure global participation in America’s national security goals.

“I challenge the Texas State Board of Education to educate themselves on the truth about the United Nations. Partisan politics has no place in school curriculum.  Our children deserve to learn the facts about the United Nations and not distortions fabricated for political gain. We owe it to the next generation of America’s leaders to offer a truthful perspective on how working in cooperation with the United Nations benefits this country and our chances for a stable and peaceful world.”

About the Better World Campaign

The Better World Campaign, an initiative of the Better World Fund, works to strengthen the relationship between the United States and the United Nations. It encourages U.S. leadership to enhance the UN’s ability to carry out its invaluable international work on behalf of peace, progress, freedom, and justice. For more information, visit www.betterworldcampaign.org.

Media Contact:

info_bwc@unfoundation.org