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!

Call for Applications - WFUNA's Youth Seminar Series 

WFUNA is pleased to announce our Youth Seminar Series, which will be taking place during the International Year of Youth, August 2010- August 2011. The first Youth Seminar will be hosted in Oslo by UNA-Norway from 1-3 October 2010. Draft program and logistics details are available here>>>

The aim of the Youth Seminar Series is to develop the capacity of WFUNA’s youth network; to determine the youth priorities of UNAs and youth members; to share successful youth programs and communication ideas; to promote the strengthening and expansion of WFUNA’s youth network; to provide skill training to youth members; and to encourage collaboration with the WFUNA Secretariat and amongst UNAs and UNYAs.

Please share this information with your youth network and encourage applications! Apply by 13 September! Send your questions and inquiries to youthseminar@wfuna.org

Does your country have a Youth Delegate Program?

In 1995 the UN General Assembly adopted the World Programme of Action for Youth, which includes a section on supporting the participation of youth in decision-making, and invites Governments to consider including youth representatives in their national delegations to the General Assembly. Despite a promising growth over the years in Youth Delegates, as of last year, only about 15% of member states had Youth Delegates. To address this deficiency and draw attention to the issue during the International Year of Youth, WFUNA is publishing a "Handbook for Establishing a National Youth Delegate Programme to the United Nations." The Handbook offers a step-by-step guide to establishing a National Youth Delegate Programme in countries where it does not yet exist. It describes the start-up and fundraising processes, and reviews successful case studies. The Handbook has been prepared with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Youth Programme. It will be available on this website, free of charge, on 1 October 2010. Check back soon!

The Handbook was promoted to over 400 participants at the World Youth Conference in Mexico from 23-28 August. It was presented and discussed in several venues, including panels and workshops held by the UNA-Dominican Republic, the UNA-Mexico and UNFPA. The author of the Handbook traveled to Mexico and was available as a resource to participants. (see adjacent photo of the Executive Director of UNA-Dominican Republic, Pilar Sandoval and Handbook Author, Divya Mansukhani presenting at the World Youth Conference)

Stakeholder Meeting to Reestablish UNA-Indonesia

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 President Welcomes GMUN Students

The 2^nd Annual Global Model United Nations conference, organized by the UN Department of Public Information in partnership with WFUNA, was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 14-18 August 2010. The theme this year was “Towards an Alliance of Civilizations: Bridging Cultures to achieve Peace and Development.” Over 350 students participated from over 50 countries around the world. WFUNA President Ambassador Park Soo Gil gave a welcome statement on the opening day of the conference. Participating UNAs included Armenia, China, DRC, Dominican Republic, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain and Uganda. Information about outcomes will be available at www.un.org/gmun

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>>

WFUNA's Human Rights Website

Check out WFUNA's  website entirely dedicated to human rights:  

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. 

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.