Mayor Bill Bogaard Honored with Global Citizen Award

The Honorable Bill Bogaard, Mayor of Pasadena received a Global Citizen Award along with two others at the 6th Annual West Coast Global Forum hosted by the United Nations Association on Wednesday to recognize those making a difference in the “Health and Welfare of Californians and Beyond.”

Held at the California Endowment Center in Downtown Los Angeles, the event engaged the difference makers in the audience as well as recognizing three Global Citizens who have made an impact locally and globally—Bill Bogaard, Sylvia Whitlock of Rotary International and Participant Media.

“Now entering its sixth year, the West Coast Global Forum is a ‘must attend’ event for Californians who want to make a difference, and I am honored to participate in this important moment,” Peter Yeo, Vice President for Public Policy for the UN Foundation said who gave the keynote address after flying in from New York this morning.

With plenty of opportunities for networking opportunities at the event for connections that could initiate more change, Barry Simon, Vice President of UNA-USA Southern California Division, also invited attendees to share why they came to the forum. Many wanted to mingle with other difference makers as well as support the difference makers being honored.

“I so appreciate the global mind of Mayor Bogaard. If we had more mayors and governors and presidents all over the world, the world would be a much better place if they were all like Mayor Bogaard,” said Executive Director of the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles Janet Elliot in her statements about why she had come to the forum.

Bogaard has a long history of membership and active support of the United Nations Assocation of the USA in the Pasadena Chapter. He was honored for being a rare leader ho gives consistent, authentic support to global and local issues especially pertaining to human rights, health issues, education and promoting a green community.

“On behalf of myself and the residents of Pasadena, we want to let you know how proud we are of you Mayor and how much we care for you and how much we care that you and Claire are always putting Pasadena first. We love you and are proud to be Pasadenans,” Phlunte Riddle said.

In his introduction of the Mayor, Congressman Adam Schiff of the 28th District said Bogaard has even made an indelible impression all the way to the Supreme Court. He said the Mayor has brought civility to a city council where fights had been the norm.

“He has been a voice of experience and integrity and knowledge and really the face of public service for decades know and we are deeply grateful,” Schiff said. “No one I know of in recent history that has done more for the city of Pasadena and the surrounding communities and has been a better global citizen than Bill Bogaard. Were just so proud of you, proud you’re receiving this acknowledgment, proud to call you a friend, and proud to have you as our mayor.”

From the city of Pasadena Vice Mayor Jacque Robinson, Assistant City Manager Steve Mermell, and Chief of Police Phillip Sanchez came to support Mayor Bogaard in receiving his award, along with several other Pasadena residents.

“The fact is that Pasadena is a global city and I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve a city that is recognized around the world several times a year for various reasons,” Bogaard said.

Bogaard challenged the audience, “Let us all rededicate ourselves to the values that are fundamental to the United Nations, human rights, women’s rights, peace, prosperity, environmental responsibility and the other rights that are sought after in the United Nations and United Nations Association.”

The room was filled people who said they are interested in having a world that works — who described themselves as the type of people who sign petitions and make phone calls to their representatives. People who said they realize their own well being is dependent on the well being of the people around them.

“I don’t think being a global citizen is optional. I am here because I deeply admire Barry Simon’s efforts to honor outstanding global citizens,” a person in the audience named Brian said.

Simon created the event six years ago because Southern California has such a diverse community of people from all over the world and he wanted there to be an increased understanding of the work of the UN and opportunities the UN Association provides. He said he wanted to bring together business leaders, community leaders, and UNA members together to have a conversation about world issues.

“We do not live in an isolated world. Were not just here in our own little bubble. What goes on in Sub-Saharan Africa affects us here, what goes on in the places in India affect the health of us, affect our livelihood,” Vice President of UNA-USA Southern California Division Barry Simon said.

Simon questioned, “How can you continue to make a difference? How can you expand your efforts? Many of you might say you have a full plate; I invite you to get a bigger plate.”

Many sitting in the audience represented organizations that do great work in their communities. However, Jane Roberts wanted to let everyone know she was there to support the UN itself because it is making the best effort, in her mind.

“I’m rather pessimistic about the future. I think human beings are a voracious species; we love our comforts. I think nine billion people by the year 2050 is going to be pretty ugly and gender inequality is a cahoot of many of the worlds ills. The UN does the most essential work in the millennium goals about gender inequality,” Roberts said.

Yet most at the gathering seemed to agree hope exists with people like Bill Bogaard and Sylvia Whitlock and organizations like Participant Media making creative contributions to address social issues.

“Look at the diversity in this room, that’s what the effort has to look like. What we have to be is impactful,” Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge said.