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The East Bay Chapter of the United Nations Association Information and UNICEF Center is celebrating its re-opening today, next to the Berkeley Gray Panthers headquarters. 

The festivities will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1403 B Addison St. 

The 36-year-old chapter, dedicated to promoting the peace-keeping mission of the United Nations, was forced to leave its larger quarters because of rising rents, said Interim Director Mary Trampleasure.  

The chapter is “narrowing down to more of an advocacy role,” she said. 

Historically, the organization has lobbied the U.S. government to take a larger role in the United Nations and has raised money for the United Nations Children’s Fund by selling greeting cards, United Nations’ member flags and gifts from around the world. 

Trampleasure said that the volunteer organization just couldn’t afford to stay at the location at 1798 Shattuck Ave., where it had been for 10 years. The smaller space means the boutique will sell less merchandise.  

UNICEF cards and gifts, and United Nations-related items, such as books, flags and maps, will still be offered for sale, she said. 

“We don’t mind the smaller space,” she said. “It’s a perfect fit with the Gray Panthers. It’s good unity.” 

She said that the library will continue to be a “source of valuable information on current and historical U.N. topics.” 

Trampleasure said that the Gray Panthers couldn’t afford two rooms and offered the UNA a sub-lease of the adjacent room to their headquarters.  

The East Bay chapter of the organization began in 1964 when the American Association for the United Nations, a citizen-based organization led by Eleanor Roosevelt, merged with the U.S. Committee for the United Nations. 

Trampleasure said she has been with the organization since its local beginnings as a director and volunteer. 

The chapter is one of 175 nationwide and part of the worldwide UNA network in 70 countries.