Ana Teresa Santos, intern at UNRIC’s Portugal Desk in Brussels
The first United Nations Association (UNA) was created in the United Kingdom in 1945, immediately after the creation of the United Nations. In fact, the so-called UNA-UK was the descendant of the League of Nations Union, a civil society association created in Britain to support the work of the League of Nations and whose work was crucial during the period between the wars. At the end of the Second World War, in the same way that the United Nations succeeded the League of Nations, the United Nations Association succeeded the League of Nations Union.
The fact that the Preamble of the UN Charter starts with the words “We the peoples,” contrasted with the Preamble of the Covenant of the League of Nations that began “The high contracting parties,” gave more strength to these movements: the UN was designed to create a better world and to benefit all people living in this world. The organization knew that the support of civil society was essential to its success.
The following year, UNAs spread all over the world and the idea was voiced to create an international organization that would gather all the UNAs of the world. The main aim of this initiative was to encourage all UNAs to work together, which would enable them to spread United Nations values and increase its power and efficiency. The World Federation of UNAs was therefore created in August 1946.
Mission and importance
As declared in Resolution 137 (II), 17 November 1947, and in Resolution 41/68, December 1986, the UN General Assembly has always acknowledged the importance of the familiarity and understanding of UN ideals in order promote the UN’s work and gain the support of civil society. If the world’s peoples do not have a clear understanding of its activities and objectives, the UN will never be able to achieve the objectives that were defined at the time of its creation. Taking that into account, the UNAs and WFUNA have an important role to play in the United Nations.
The UNAs are created to encourage closer relations between civil society and the UN. Therefore, many of their actions include relaying information about the United Nations in collaboration with United Nations Information Centers, media and other organizations. In this way, civil society is always informed about the importance of their participation in UN programs and their impact on the international community. The UNAs are main actors in the transmission and dissemination of information related to the UN, becoming crucial tools for bringing the UN, civil society and the population of member states together.
Due to its relevance, WFUNA has consultative status in ECOSOC. And it also participates in other agencies, funds and programmes of the UN's system (UNESCO, FAO, UNICEF, Global Compact, etc.). The participation of these Associations in the work of the United Nations is an indicator of transparency in the relations between civil society and the Organization. WFUNA also works continuously with the Department of Public Information and other parts of the UN Secretariat to reach its main objectives. Since 2000, WFUNA has made a commitment to mobilize its support in civil society in order to make the Millennium Development Goals achievable by 2015.
In many developing countries, UNAs have played a crucial role in UN field missions, serving in these missions as the major link between local populations. They are also platforms for discussions on UN reform and development issues, giving a voice to the world’s peoples. In fact, all the activities organized by a UNA have always had the objective of supporting the principles and programmes of the UN and contributing to the elaboration of the UN’s agenda. In this way, the UNAs try to create a stronger and more universal UN and give the world's peoples a louder voice.
How to become a member?
As Ban Ki-moon declared in May 2007: “The UNAs show us that the UN agenda is everyone's agenda, and that the matters that worry the UN worry every human being.” So if you are interested in the work of the United Nations, and want to do something to support its principles or if you would like to see a stronger UN, one way is to become a member of your country’s UNA. By becoming an active member of a UNA you can make a difference.
You can find a list of all the 108 United Nations Associations spread all over the world and their contacts on the WFUNA site: www.wfuna.org. ■
Are you a UN fan? Have you considered demonstrating your support for this organization by promoting its values and principles but don’t know how? If so, you should seriously consider joining a United Nations Association.History
The first United Nations Association (UNA) was created in the United Kingdom in 1945, immediately after the creation of the United Nations. In fact, the so-called UNA-UK was the descendant of the League of Nations Union, a civil society association created in Britain to support the work of the League of Nations and whose work was crucial during the period between the wars. At the end of the Second World War, in the same way that the United Nations succeeded the League of Nations, the United Nations Association succeeded the League of Nations Union.
The fact that the Preamble of the UN Charter starts with the words “We the peoples,” contrasted with the Preamble of the Covenant of the League of Nations that began “The high contracting parties,” gave more strength to these movements: the UN was designed to create a better world and to benefit all people living in this world. The organization knew that the support of civil society was essential to its success.
The following year, UNAs spread all over the world and the idea was voiced to create an international organization that would gather all the UNAs of the world. The main aim of this initiative was to encourage all UNAs to work together, which would enable them to spread United Nations values and increase its power and efficiency. The World Federation of UNAs was therefore created in August 1946.
Mission and importance
As declared in Resolution 137 (II), 17 November 1947, and in Resolution 41/68, December 1986, the UN General Assembly has always acknowledged the importance of the familiarity and understanding of UN ideals in order promote the UN’s work and gain the support of civil society. If the world’s peoples do not have a clear understanding of its activities and objectives, the UN will never be able to achieve the objectives that were defined at the time of its creation. Taking that into account, the UNAs and WFUNA have an important role to play in the United Nations.
The UNAs are created to encourage closer relations between civil society and the UN. Therefore, many of their actions include relaying information about the United Nations in collaboration with United Nations Information Centers, media and other organizations. In this way, civil society is always informed about the importance of their participation in UN programs and their impact on the international community. The UNAs are main actors in the transmission and dissemination of information related to the UN, becoming crucial tools for bringing the UN, civil society and the population of member states together.
Due to its relevance, WFUNA has consultative status in ECOSOC. And it also participates in other agencies, funds and programmes of the UN's system (UNESCO, FAO, UNICEF, Global Compact, etc.). The participation of these Associations in the work of the United Nations is an indicator of transparency in the relations between civil society and the Organization. WFUNA also works continuously with the Department of Public Information and other parts of the UN Secretariat to reach its main objectives. Since 2000, WFUNA has made a commitment to mobilize its support in civil society in order to make the Millennium Development Goals achievable by 2015.
In many developing countries, UNAs have played a crucial role in UN field missions, serving in these missions as the major link between local populations. They are also platforms for discussions on UN reform and development issues, giving a voice to the world’s peoples. In fact, all the activities organized by a UNA have always had the objective of supporting the principles and programmes of the UN and contributing to the elaboration of the UN’s agenda. In this way, the UNAs try to create a stronger and more universal UN and give the world's peoples a louder voice.
How to become a member?
As Ban Ki-moon declared in May 2007: “The UNAs show us that the UN agenda is everyone's agenda, and that the matters that worry the UN worry every human being.” So if you are interested in the work of the United Nations, and want to do something to support its principles or if you would like to see a stronger UN, one way is to become a member of your country’s UNA. By becoming an active member of a UNA you can make a difference.
You can find a list of all the 108 United Nations Associations spread all over the world and their contacts on the WFUNA site: www.wfuna.org. ■
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