By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, October 2, 2010 -- Musician Taylor Swift announced on September 20 that she will “launch” her new album Speak Now “at the United Nations” on October 25. This seeming of note -- would she be named a Goodwill Ambassador? -- Inner City Press on September 23 asked UN spokesman Martin Nesirky:
Inner City Press: Taylor Swift has announced via PR Newswire and elsewhere that she would be performing at the United Nations on 25 October with an album release. So it struck me like, I know we have had as many, various sort of foibles here, of sort of commercial presentations within the UN. But are you aware this is widely circulated, in what context, what would be the rule that was applicable to…
Spokesperson: It’s trending on Twitter or what?
Question: No, no. No I’m talking; this is put up by a public relations firm, saying the UN will be used for an album launch. And I just wanted, maybe you don’t know now, but maybe you can find out whether it’s true. And if so, who in the UN system would have sponsored such an event?
Spokesperson: Well, let’s find out. I am sure that my colleagues in the Outreach Division will be able to help me.
This last implied that the UN Department of Public Information might be behind the launch, perhaps naming Taylor Swift as a Goodwill Ambassador for some cause or other.
While not put into the UN's transcripts, Inner City Press has since been told that Taylor Swift's event at the UN has nothing to do the UN.
The Delegates' Dining Room at the UN is run by the caterer Aramark. The UN allows Aramark to rent the space out when it is unused. Taylor Swift rented it, and then put out a press release that led many readers to believe it was a UN event.
One wonder what standards the UN has for Aramark's renting out of the Delegates' Dining Room. Could Aramark rent it to a political party based on hate? For the burning of a religious text? Watch this site.
