October 24, 2022 marked 77 years of the United Nations. From an InterGenerational Model UN to the chapter events hosted across the country to the UN Day Luncheon hosted in Washington, D.C., UNA-USA members and UN advocates from across the country came together in so many ways to celebrate and recognize the lifesaving work of the United Nations.
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Membership Categories Refresh |
After more than two years of preparation, UNA-USA launched a robust refresh of the various paid membership categories. Prior to the launch, the UNA-USA national office, along with members of the National Council, Membership Development Committee, and other volunteer leaders, coordinated multiple focus groups, surveys, and interviews to understand what motivates members to join the UNA-USA movement. On International Youth Day, August 12th, UNA-USA introduced the Young Professionals membership category, available to those between the ages of 18-30, offers curated professional development, access to exclusive opportunities, chances to meet with subject matter experts, and much more. While UNA-USA’s youth membership remains unchanged and overlaps with the Young Professionals age limit—free until age 25—the introduction of the YP category provides an option for those who would like to invest in their future and deepen their engagement with UNA-USA. At the end of 2022, UNA-USA rolled out the remaining changes to the membership categories, namely: - Cessation of the Introductory Membership category effective January 1, 2023
- Creation of the Silver Membership category, at $250 level
- Renaming of categories:
- Regular/Active to Standard Membership
- Sponsor ($100) to Bronze Membership
- Patron ($500) to Gold Membership
In addition to the modifications above, the initiative to refresh the membership categories included a substantial expansion of the benefits within each category, including special consideration for Lifetime Membership benefits. UNA-USA looks forward to starting 2023 with increased opportunities for advocates to find the right fit for them, including the potential for members to “upgrade” to receive the most from their experience in the movement.
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This annual event—held again virtually in February 2022—was an incredible moment in history for the more than 780+ participants who attended live. That’s because February 24, 2022 was the day that Russia invaded Ukraine, and attendees were privy to an incomparable question and answer session with Stéphane Dujarric, the UN Secretary-General’s Spokesperson. Mr. Dujarric was able to provide insight that no one else could have on such a significant day as that one. We are grateful to Mr. Dujarric for sharing his time during the program, and also thankful that the United Nations Security Council has continued to keep Ukraine at the top of discussion. At GES 2022, UNA-USA debuted a series of four Engagement Levels in order to provide attendees with meaningful ways to take action after they’d been inspired. This successful model helped to increase impact of activities and steps to reinforce both the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the larger attention towards a stronger US-UN partnership.
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Over the past year, each of us has played a vital role in advancing the UN's mission by advocating for full UN Funding. Many started the year with zero knowledge of congressional appropriations, the process by which Congress sets spending priorities. But now, many UNA-USA members regularly attend advocacy lead meetings on topics like the President's budget or how to write a letter to an editor on UN funding. During Leadership Summit, we held 162 virtual meetings with Members of Congress from the House and Senate. We've also taken written action by sending 6,918 messages to Congress on topics from climate change to women's rights. Our reach is far and wide, ending the year with 4,097 views on Tik Tok, almost 17,000 Twitter followers, and 97,500 Instagram followers. Congressional staff and Members of Congress noted our efforts, and on UN Day, eight Members of Congress tweeted in support of the UN's mission. While we are still waiting for the conclusion of FY'23, we will continue to fight for full UN funding now and in the new year!
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More than 430 attendees participated either in person or online at the annual UNA-USA Leadership Summit in June 2022. This was the first major hybrid program that UNA-USA coordinated after the COVID-19 pandemic forced solely virtual programming. Held once again at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (in person) and on the Hopin platform for virtual participants, the Summit featured plenaries, workshops, and breakout sessions focused on leadership development and member engagement opportunities, along with content experts. Of course, preparing to advocate during Lobby Day was a key thread woven throughout the two days. On June 7th, more than 275 UNA-USA members participated in 162 meetings with Congressional offices (47 with Republican offices and 115 with Democratic offices), including six with Members of Congress (and not staff). All in all, more than 32 states and Washington, D.C. were represented in these important opportunities.
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UNA-USA Fellowship Program |
The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is pleased to announce a first-of-its-kind initiative providing financial support for American undergraduate and graduate interns at the United Nations. The initiative was announced by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Representative to the United Nations, on UN Day, October 24th at a luncheon honoring the work of UNA-USA chapters across the country. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield emphasized that internships lead to opportunities. We invite you to identify seniors and recent graduates from underrepresented groups, including students from HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Schools for the Deaf and Blind, to apply for this funding. For more information, please visit https://unausa.org/fellowship/.
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This past summer, the UN committee that reviews compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) met in Geneva to examine the United States’ record of implementing this important human rights treaty. The Committee released observations from the review, including three areas of concern to eliminate racial discrimination in the U.S., including: (1) Indigenous Rights; (2) Immigration Rights; and (3) Women’s Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights. We encourage you to review background documents and statements, as we are tracking the recommendations put forward to the United States, and plan to share the U.S. response during a meeting in June 2023, when those details become available, under the theme The U.S. Response to the CERD. What Now?
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It’s not enough if only we understand the significance of the United Nations; we need other voices in our cause! This October, Maria Amalla, UNA’s Grassroots Advocacy Manger, was fortunate enough to staff a congressional delegation trip to Senegal and show congressional staffers how appropriation funds are being used at UN sites. The trip explored how the UN is partnering with the U.S. and the Government of Senegal to detect and treat children with wasting, diversify and improve the availability of ready-to-use therapeutic foods, and administer school feeding programs and related activities. They engaged in several high-level meetings with the U.S. Ambassador to Senegal, the UN Resident Coordinator in Senegal, Senegal’s Minister of Agriculture, the Governor of Saint-Louis, and more. Staffers from both sides of the aisle saw the UN’s impact in the field, proving that hunger and malnutrition are bipartisan issues.
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This past August, Executive Director Rachel Bowen Pittman traveled to Nigeria with a Congressional staff delegation to see firsthand how U.S. bilateral and multilateral investments in polio eradication impacted achievement in wild polio eradication and strengthened its healthcare system. Due to U.S. investments, the CDC, USAID, UNICEF and WHO are partnering with the Nigerian government to train healthcare workers, immunize communities, detect viruses, and store and distribute vaccines.
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