World Bulletin
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Andy Rice |
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August 29, 1922 - June 1, 2010
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July 7 – UNA-USA lost a good friend and a great quiet, thoughtful leader when Andrew E. Rice died last month. Andy was an admired and inspiring member of the organization, especially its National Capital Area Division, UNA-NCA, since 1987.
Andy's leadership in solving global problems spanned 55 years and many perspectives. A political scientist, with an undergraduate degree from Harvard College and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University, he worked in Congress, the State Department and the White House, taught as an adjunct professor at the American University School of International Service and served in numerous volunteer leadership roles with nonprofit groups.
He was a member of the research group whose work led to the creation of the Peace Corps. He also helped form the Society for International Development, a worldwide professional association. He later served for nearly 20 years as its chief executive officer and most recently sat on its governing council. During the 1950s, he helped organize the International Development Conference, a cooperative of US nongovernmental organizations, serving later as its president and chair.
In 1996, Andy was the recipient of the Arnold Goodman Award, presented by UNA-USA for his outstanding leadership. For four years, Andy served as president of the National Capital Area Division. For many years he served on UNA-USA committees, including the nominating committee for the board of directors. In addition, he served on the National Council of UNA-USA. He was chair of the planning committee for the National Convocation on the United States and the United Nations, which took place in Washington in June 2003.
In 2008 and 2009, Andy successfully led the UN Week program of UNA-NCA, a series of events in the Washington area commemorating the UN’s anniversary in October, bringing much visibility and partnerships to UNA-NCA. He played a key role in organizing and executing UNA-NCA’s conference on "Building a More Effective United Nations: Opportunities for the Obama Administration," which engaged 100 participants from the UN, the US government, Washington think tanks, universities and international NGOs. Andy also helped coordinate two study tours to Paris, Geneva, Vienna and Rome, where UNA members met with many UN agencies.
The UNA-NCA Andrew E. Rice Global Education Fund was established in 2006 as an expression of the association's deep respect for his leadership and ability to inspire others across generations. The fund has contributed greatly to the growth of many programs, including the Global Classrooms DC program.
In recent years, Andy was secretary and chairman of the board of the World Watch Institute, co-chair of the Alliance for United Nations Sustainable Development Programs and a member of the governing body of the Union of International Associations (Brussels).
He is survived by his wife, Constance Bergfors, a son and several grandchildren.
Donations in memory of Andy and to support the Andrew E. Rice Global Education Fund can be made through UNA-NCA, 2000 P Street, NW, Washington DC, 20036, or you can contact the UNA-NCA office, (202)223-6092 or make an online donation here. A memorial service will be held on Sept. 19 from 3-5 pm at the River Road Unitarian Church, 6301 River Road, Bethesda, Md. 20817. Plans are under way to celebrate Andy this fall in Washington. More details will be available at www.unanca.org.
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