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- Where are there United Nations Associations?
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For information about ,
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To join the international community in taking action to support Pakistan in their recovery from the devastating floods that have affected over 4 million people, please click here.
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Please read the Welcome Statement by President Park Soo Gil to the 2010 Global Model United Nations Conference, 17 August 2010, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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 During this time of interconnected global crises, when the United Nations is more indispensable than ever, WFUNA has launched its Global Citizen Campaign to increase its capacity, resources, and programming in support of the UN. Taking place from 2009-2012 with the aim of raising $5.5 million, the Global Citizen Campaign includes targeted programs and activities that underscore the interconnectedness of global issues; promote cooperative and democratic problem solving; and educate and engage the youth of today to be leaders and global citizens.
WFUNA's programs in the context of the Global Citizen Campaign are related to the three main pillars of the UN:
1. Peace and Security with a special focus on the Responsibility to Protect, Rule of Law and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
2. Human Rights focusing on Human Rights education and advocacy and implementing human rights standards everywhere
3. Sustainable Development focusing on the Millennium Development Goals and climate change
To learn more about the Global Citizen Campaign click here>>
Nuclear Button Design Contest! Win an iPad!
 What do you want your world leaders to see when considering pressing the nuclear button?
Nuclear weapons pose a constant threat to global peace and security. World leaders have the ability to detonate a nuclear weapon within minutes with the push of a single button.
WFUNA has noticed that the traditional “nuclear button” -the button that is pressed to launch a nuclear weapon- is rather boring in design, and doesn’t symbolize the grave consequences of its use. We think you could come up with a more suitable one!
WFUNA is hosting a global contest for youth to design their version of the nuclear button. Design your own nuclear button and you could win an Apple iPad!
Learn more here>>>
1st Place wins an Apple Ipad, Runners Up receive a Flip Video Camcorder, New Deadline: 31 August 2010
Download a flyier and help us spread the word!
En Francais>>
Celebrate the International Year of Youth with WFUNA!
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To read the Secretary-General's message to Commemorate the International Year of Youth 2010-2011, please click here.
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 This year the United Nations celebrates the International Year of Youth, which will be launched on 12 August 2010. The theme is Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. “The International Year is about advancing the full and effective participation of youth in all aspects of society. We encourage all sectors of society to work in partnership with youth and youth organizations to better understand their needs and concerns and to recognize the contributions that they can make to society” http://social.un.org/youthyear
WFUNA is commemorating this important theme through several youth initiatives, including a series of youth seminars, partnering on the UN's Global Model UN Conference, and the publication of a “Handbook on Establishing a National Youth Delegate Program to the United Nations”. Check back with us soon for more details!
What is your UNA or UNYA doing to celebrate the International Year of Youth? Share your activities with us by emailing a brief (3-4 sentence) description to trotter@wfuna.org and we will include it on our website and in our newsletter!
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How many hours was the longest speech ever given at the UN?
The anti-gun statue at the visitor's entrance of the United Nations is a tribute to which music idol?
Why did Franklin D. Roosevelt once interrupt Winston Churchill in the bathtub?
.....think you know the answers? Find out by taking the
UN Quiz
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On 19 August 2010 a “Stakeholder Meeting to Explore Reestablishing a United Nations Association in Indonesia” was held in Jakarta. WFUNA President Park Soo Gil chaired the meeting, which was organized in close collaboration with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, the local United Nations Information Centre, and the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over 80 individuals participated, including members of the UN Country team, government officials, civil society representatives, former diplomats, academics, private sector (Global Compact) leaders, youth, and media representatives. After an introductory overview session, the participants divided into groups to work on issues such as the legal registration of the UNA, the By-Laws, membership, programs, and fundraising. The next day, a delegation from WFUNA that included the President and Secretary-General met with the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs who expressed his personal commitment for an active UNA-Indonesia, and offered support for the initiative. Follow-up will continue in the coming months as we move towards an effective, collaborative and purposeful UNA in Indonesia.
WFUNA's Human Rights Website
Check out  WFUNA's website entirely dedicated to human rights:
www.humanrightsnexus.org
The website, available in all six UN languages, is intended to facilitate access to educational materials on human rights, enhance interaction and information sharing between UNAs, and to support closer engagement of UNAs with the work of the UN Human Rights Council and human rights treaty bodies. The website is sponsored by the Russian Friends of WFUNA and UNA-Russia.
Youth Voices Promote the MDGs through Film
 The Global MDG Summit – Mumbai 2008, organized by WFUNA, the Indian Federation of UN Associations and Jai Hind College, took place from 7-11 November in Mumbai. UN Under Secretary-General Kiyo Akasaka and other UN staff sent video messages to the opening ceremony, where officials from the partner and host organizations spoke. Over 300 participants from 13 countries representing every region of the world participated in a day of learning about the MDGs, followed by a strategy day when the student formed “MDG teams” and then two film-making days that included an opportunity for the students to spend a day with local NGOs in rural villages in India. The resulting 16 fully student-made videos (2 on each MDG) were presented at the closing ceremony that was attended by NGO activists, Bollywood stars and noted filmmakers.
MDG 1: Eradicate poverty and hunger
MDG 2: Achieve universal primary education
MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
MDG 4: Reduce Child Mortality
MDG 5: Improve maternal health
MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
MDG 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
MDG 8: Develop a global partnership
  
Who We Are
Inspired by the opening words of the United Nations Charter "We the Peoples", the World Federation of United Nations Associations was established in 1946 .WFUNA is a global nonprofit organization representing and coordinating a membership of over 100 national United Nations Associations (UNAs) and their thousands of constituents. Guided by our vision of a United Nations that is a powerful force in meeting common global challenges and opportunities, WFUNA works to strengthen and improve the United Nations. We achieve this through the engagement of people who share a global mindset and support international cooperation – global citizens.
As testimony to our valuable role, WFUNA is the only NGO entitled to use the UN emblem. In addition, we are the only NGO with offices within the UN buildings in New York and Geneva. We have Category One Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council as well as Accreditation with the Department of Public Information.
The Plenary Assembly, the supreme organ of the World Federation, is held every three years. It is in effect a peoples’ assembly for the United Nations, where priority issues of concern to the international community are addressed and elections are held for the leadership positions.
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UNA of the Month: Slovenia
 The United Nations Associations of Slovenia (UNA-Slovenia) was established in 1951. It became a member of WFUNA in 1992; one year after Slovenia gained its independence. Today, UNA-Slovenia is a vital NGO spreading the ideas and goals of the UN in Slovenia.
UNA-Slovenia provides information to the public on the role and activities of the UN through informational campaigns and advocacy activities. Past projects include Stand Up and Take Action, the promotion of International Peace Day, Students for a Nuclear-Free World, and the Millennium Campaign in Slovenia. UNA-Slovenia has been a partner in the organization of Slovenia’s international Model United Nations.
 In 2009, with a strong focus on engaging youth, UNA-Slovenia created a special education program focusing on primary schools as a place to introduce the goals and activities of the UN. To celebrate Human Rights Day, they held a contest for primary and secondary school students who were asked to submit essays, photographs and drawings on the issues of human rights.
 In its efforts to keep the public informed, UNA-Slovenia maintains a library with informative and specialized UN publications, and helps in gathering, translating, and making available various international publications on the subjects of the UN and international relations. They engage with the public by organizing forums between the public and government officials - encouraging dialogue and communication on important issues – and participating in regular lectures and panels. UNA-Slovenia organizes excursions to UN institutions in Geneva and Vienna for not only its members but anyone who is interested.
UNA-Slovenia is especially busy this year with a multitude of projects and activities. They are launching three new campaigns this year:
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“Jatropha Carcus” a development project in partnership with UNA-Kenya,
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“Active and Responsible Citizenship” an interactive global education workshop, and
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The “Campaign for Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World"
 They will be launching a new web page on UN Peace Operations and the involvement of Slovene forces. Throughout the coming months, they will actively participate in the Millennium Campaign, the Slovenia International Model UN, International Peace Day, UN Day, and Human Rights Day. Finally, they will be running a contest for fairy tales about the MDGs. www.unaslovenia.org
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Events
World Refugee Day
20 June
Economic and Social Council, substantive session
28 June – 23 July, New York
World Populations Day
11 July
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
12 – 30 July, New York
Human Rights Council
26 – 30 July, New York
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
2 – 27 August, Geneva
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
9 August
Conference on Disarmament Third Part
9 August – 24 September, Geneva
International Youth Day
11 August
Global Model UN
14-18 August, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
International Day against Nuclear Tests
29 August
63rd Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference “Advance Global Health: Achieve the MDGs”
30 August-1 September, Melbourne, Australia
(View our events calendar 2009 >>)
Recommended Websites
Check out the WFUNA-youth website at: www.wfuna-youth.org
 Take a look at an exciting new socially responsible social networking/ email site. BluMail offers free email accounts and make-a-difference content to those in developing countries who will be coming online in upcoming years. Content will be provided by partnering United Nations organizations and global non-governmental organizations through Google's email platform. www.blumail.org
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How much do you know about the United Nations?
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