The principal purpose of establishing a United Nations Association (UNA) is to enhance the relationship between the people of a member state and the United Nations. To achieve this objective, a UNA has the following aims:
o To disseminate information, in cooperation with the UN Information Centres whenever possible, about the programs and activities of the UN;
o To mobilize public support for and popular participation in those UN programs in which citizens are expected to play a role;
o To publicize the numerous UN success stories - giving evidence that we all ultimately benefit from such UN programs;
o To lobby its government, political parties and interest groups in support of the UN;
o To persuade the Ministry of Education to include teaching about the UN in the curricula of schools, colleges, teacher training institutes, universities, other higher education institutions and organized programs of adult education;
o To establish relationships with members of the media and act as a catalyst to stimulate frequent and accurate coverage of the UN and its programs;
o To collaborate with other national voluntary organizations on projects related to the work of the UNA;
o To join with other UNAs in the framework of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) to extend the impact of their programs to the regional and global levels;
o To promote international understanding and friendship between members of UNAs.
A UNA must be established in compliance with the respective country's laws governing voluntary non-profit organizations.
Preparatory Committee: Traditionally, the establishment of a UNA begins with the formation of a Preparatory Committee of interested parties. Such a committee would meet to consider the best ways of establishing an Association.
Every effort should be made to attract into the Association, on a carefully balanced basis, leading figures in the political, academic, professional and religious fields. Membership should be representative of all groups within a country.
Membership: A membership that is truly representative of the entire population lends a UNA greater credibility within a country and often attracts others to join the Association. In addition, the views of such an Association will be given more weight.
UNAs can have individual or collective members, but by far the most common constituency is a combination of both. Additional members have been recruited from voluntary bodies such as women's and youth organizations, trade unions, teachers' associations and the like. Such groups should be encouraged to join as collective members.
Location: A UNA is usually located/headquartered in the country's capital city. This strategically places a UNA within easy reach of government offices, the diplomatic community and others. Chapters should subsequently be established throughout the country so as to make the UNA broad-based and national.
Structure: The organs of a fully established UNA are typically its General Assembly, Executive Committee and Secretariat.
The Chief Offices of the UNA are the President, Executive Committee Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary-General. They often work on a voluntary basis. The number of staff members working under their direction is dependent upon available resources. The Secretary-General maintains working relations with the Chapters and with the officers of the collective members. In addition, the Secretary-General maintains regular communication with WFUNA and with other national UNAs.
Finances: The primary source of funding for a UNA is the direct payment of membership fees by individuals and collective members. The amount of such fees is decided upon by the General Assembly.
Membership fees are unlikely to cover all funding required for the UNA's activities. Many UNAs, therefore, seek various alternative funding sources. When it is appropriate, a UNA may approach its government or foundations for annual grants to fund specific projects and programs.
| For information on how to draft a UNA constitution, click here >> |
The Preparatory Committee, in consultation with legal advisors, should prepare a draft constitution for submission to, and adoption by, the inaugural meeting of the UNA. (Please refer to the document entitled Guidelines for Drafting a Constitution of a United Nations Association, available on the WFUNA website: www.wfuna.org.)
Inaugural Meeting: Attendance at this inaugural meeting can be secured through advertisements in newspapers, media coverage and personalized invitations to interested persons. The inaugural meeting - which is considered the First General Assembly - should include the following items on its agenda:
1. adoption of a Constitution
2. election of Officers and members of the Executive Committee
3. adoption of a budget and program of activities
4. fulfillment of criteria for membership in WFUNA;
5. agreement of a date for the next General Assembly.
The inaugural meeting should be followed immediately by an Executive Committee meeting. At this meeting, the Executive Committee is to agree upon a schedule for implementing the agreed program of events, fund raising activities etc. for their meetings, which should take place not less than three times a year.
A UNA should apply for membership in WFUNA as soon as it has met WFUNA's criteria, outlined below. The formal application should include the following:
1. a copy of the UNA's Constitution
2. certification from the appropriate legal authorities confirming that the UNA has been established legally.It is mandatory that WFUNA receive a copy of the government's letter acknowledging the legality of the UNA
3. a declaration, signed by both the President and the Secretary-General of the UNA, stating that it will cooperate with WFUNA and pay its annual dues to WFUNA regularly
4. advance payment for the year of admission of one half of one year's dues.
Once membership is approved, the UNA may use the UN Logo on its letterhead. In establishing a strong relationship with WFUNA, a UNA should:
1. correspond regularly with the WFUNA Secretariat;
2. participate in WFUNA programs and activities;
3. suggest programs and projects, including bi-lateral "twinning projects" with other UNAs;
4. assess the quality and usefulness of work and services of the WFUNA Secretariat;
5. forward periodical reports of the UNA's activities for publication in WFUNA's newsletter, UN Connections.
Member Associations are welcome to visit WFUNA offices in Geneva and at UN Headquarters in New York. In addition, UNA members are strongly encouraged to visit other national UNAs when traveling. Such visits contribute considerably to a spirit of solidarity between UNAs.
| 
