policy
A
By Hon. Teta V. Banks, Ed.D., National Chair, United Nations
Association of the United States of America
UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION:
Thinking globally, Acting Locally
As Houston is the most diverse city in the United States, it also boasts as being the home of one of the oldest and largest
chapters of the United Nations Associations in the country – the UNA Houston Chapter. It is the only organization that has
as its main mission to promote the mission and vision of the United Nations.
Human
Rights
Day
This year, the
UNA-USA
is at Walk
the forefront , with other chapters throughout the world, of commemorating the 70th anniver-
sary of the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This great humanitarian document was championed by
the late Eleanor Roosevelt who also championed the creation of the United Nations Association.
On October 24, 1945 the United Nations was chartered. On Dec.10, 1948 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was
adopted. In 1954, Mrs. Roosevelt organized the Houston Chapter of the UNA, in the midst of segregated conditions which
she challenged and demanded an integrated public forum.
UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations is an international organization currently made up of 193 Member States. The purposes of the United
Nations are to maintain international peace and security, to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect
for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen
universal peace; to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or
humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for
all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the
attainment of these common ends.
UNA-USA
The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a membership organization dedicated to
educating, inspiring and mobilizing Americans to support the principles and vital work of the United Nations, strengthen-
ing the United Nations system, promoting constructive United States leadership in that system and achieving the goals of
the United Nations Charter.
UNA-USA works closely with the United Nations Foundation and its sister organization, the Better World Campaign, to
strengthen the U.S.-UN relationship. In 2018, the UNA-USA includes over 25,000 members, 240 chapters, and at least 50
collegiate charters. Programs include: Refugee Initiative entitled Adopt-A-Future that supports educational programs for
refugees, Gen UN programs for youth and young professionals, Youth Observer to the UN, UNA Women that addresses
gender equity and safety issues, partnership programs with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Advocacy Programs and
in-district and congressional office meetings with legislators, Global Engagement Summit at the UN Headquarters with
diplomats and UN officials, Leadership Summit in Washington, DC with U.S. Department of State officials, UN officials and
experts in international affairs.
18 iF Magazine | January 2019