United Nations Day is recognized nationally Oct. 24, but the Gainesville City Commission and the Alachua County Commission celebrated a week early.
Both commissions hosted a panel Thursday at the Gainesville Woman's Club to bring local attention to critical world issues.
Carol Poteat-Buchanan, the former president of the U.S. Committee for UN Women, was the keynote speaker for the panel, which was titled, "Food, Poverty and Human Rights: Local and Global Perspectives."
More than 150 people attended the discussion, which also featured a presentation from University of Florida pathology and gynecology professor Nancy Hardt on healthcare, poverty and education within the Gainesville community.
The United Nations Association's Gainesville chapter has celebrated UN Day for about 30 years, since the chapter's inception.
George Pappas wrote this story online.