GenUN

United Nations Association of the USA

Campus Advocates

The future is in your hands. Be a voice for the United Nations on your campus today.

Helping the UN help the world.

Be a Voice
As our nation approaches a critical moment in its relationship with the United Nations, UNA-USA seeks to engage students in a nationwide network of motivated young people who stand poised to collectively sound their voices and make their opinions heard amongst their peers, in their communities, across the nation, and around the world. President Obama has pledged to strengthen Americas global leadership through a renewed emphasis on international cooperation, diplomacy, and active participation at the United Nations, and now is your time to get involved! Built as a public movement for the UN, UNA-USA is dedicated to supporting the principles and vital work of the United Nations, strengthening the United Nations system, and promoting constructive U.S. leadership at the UN through educating, inspiring, and mobilizing American students. In Fall 2012, UNA-USA is launching GenUN, a nationwide campaign to engage young people in the work of the United Nations. Campus Advocates offers todays globally minded students the opportunity to participate in shaping the future. You can educate yourself and others on UN issues, advocate on behalf of the UN, and spread the word about the important work the UN does around the globe by becoming a campus advocate today!

For more information and resources on how to participate, contact: UNA-USA Membership Monika Johnson mjohnson@unausa.org (202) 448-4674

Start Today
Educate ........................................ 4
Learn more about the UN and its work around the world. Teach others about the importance of the UN and the opportunities Americans have for leadership.

Advocate ....................................... 6 Spread the Word .......................... 8

Plan a UN Day event for October 24, 2012. Spread awareness about the work of the UN.

Encourage strong U.S. leadership at the UN by advocating on its behalf.

Resources ...................................... 9

Work with UNA-USA Chapters in your local community. Partner with other organizations and United Nations Foundation campaigns and initiatives to make an impact. Find out more about the many issues facing the United Nations.

Educate
Every day, the United Nations and its family of agencies work to improve peoples lives throughout the world. With little fanfare or media attention, the UN delivers on its mandate from the UN Charter to ensure a safer and healthier world for present and future generations. The UN provides everything from emergency relief, to vaccinations, to counter-terrorism training. It resolves conflicts and keeps peace in the worlds most dangerous places, and it supports elections and new institutions that build democracy. Educate yourself and others on the vital work the United Nations performs every day.

Start a Conversation
Make a presentation at your school on how the UN impacts Americans. Work with a teacher or professor to have the work of the UN integrated into their curriculum. Dedicate your Facebook and Twitter statuses to educating others about the UN. Educate your peers by getting them involved in Model UN or your schools international relations club. When doing outreach for your student group, be sure to incorporate facts on the beneficial work of the UN. Host a student discussion group to help dispel myths about the UN, increase awareness, and promote understanding of the United States role in the UN. Do UN-based research or work with a professor to explore international organizations.

Talking Points
Economic Benefit: For every $1 our nation contributes to the UN Secretariat- the institution responsible for carrying out the dayto-day work of managing the UNs general operations globally- we receive more than $1.60 back. In 2011, the U.S. received more than $192 million in contracts to support 17 UN Peacekeeping operations. Specialized Agencies: Bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, World Health Organization, International Maritime Organization, and others promote core U.S. foreign policy, economic, national security, and humanitarian goals every day. American engagement with these agencies is an extremely cost-effective way to address global challenges. US Dues and Contributions: Over the past three years, the US returned to good financial standing at the UN by fully funding its budget assessments and paying recent debts. The U.S. also supports voluntary contributions to most of the UN humanitarian relief and development agencies. UN Strengthening and Reform: The UN continues to update its operations and management practices to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Changes are taking place in nearly every area of UN operations to increase cost efficiency and transparency, streamline the UNs work, strengthen accountability and oversight, improve business practices, and recruit and maintain quality staff.

Find in-depth information on these talking points in the UNA-USA 2012 Briefing Book, and read up on UN issues on The InterDependent and UN Dispatch.

Educate
WITH YOUR SUPPORT,
THE UN IS CREATING A BETTER WORLD

EVERY DAY
PROVIDES FOOD TO

MILLION PEOPLE
IN

90
COUNTRIES

VACCINATES
58% OF THE WORLDS CHILDREN, SAVING

73

2.5

MILLION
LIVES A YEAR

REFUGEES AND PEOPLE FLEEING WAR, FAMINE OR PERSECUTION

MILLION

36

ASSISTS OVER

END LEADED FUEL

COMBATS CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEADS A CAMPAIGN TO

100
PROMOTES

USE IN OVER

NATIONS

120,000
PEACEKEEPERS
IN OPERATIONS ON 4 CONTINENTS

KEEPS THE PEACE WITH

16

30

SAVING THE LIVES OF

MATERNAL HEALTH,
MILLION WOMEN A YEAR

Advocate
Each year the United Nations provides food to 90 million people in 73 countries, vaccinates 58% of the worlds children, saving 2.5 million lives a year, promotes maternal health to save the lives of 30 million women a year, and so much more. American elected leaders need to know more about the positive impact the United Nations has on the world. Students can advocate for UN issues on the local, state, and national levels. UNA-USA educates Americans and policy makers around four core elements of the U.S.-UN relationship: full payment of dues for the UNs regular and peacekeeping budgets, UN reform, the Millennium Development Goals, and approval of UN treaties.

How to Advocate
Write, e-mail, or call your Congressional representative to discuss specific action he or she can take. Write an op-ed or letter to the editor at your campus or local newspaper urging leaders to recognize the importance of the UN. Set up a meeting with your local elected officials or an in-district meeting with your representative or senator. Meet with elected leaders on Capitol Hill.
As a student, you can advocate wherever you live: in your home district or out-of-state.

Advocacy Resources
UNA-USA provides complete advocacy resources for communicating with elected officials, the legislative process, and up-to-date UN issue talking points. Go to www.unausa.org/advocacy to learn more or click below: Advocacy Agenda (Full Version) Advocacy Resources Advocacy News 2012 Briefing Book: The US and the UN in the 112th Congress Find Your Representative

Advocate

Top U.S.-UN Issues Dont Forfeit American Leadership at the United Nations

Full Funding for the UN Regular Budget and UN Peacekeeping

Support funding levels passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee for the UN regular budget and UN peacekeeping: $2.148 billion for international peacekeeping activities including $2.0 billion within the Contributions to International Peacekeeping Activities (CIPA) account and $142 million within Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) for the African Union mission in Somalia. $1.49 billion for the Contributions to International Organizations (CIO) account, which funds the UN regular budget and specialized agencies. In addition, we ask for full funding for UNESCO (House eliminated UNESCO money; Senate reduced it). Maintain the Senate recommended lift of the arbitrary 25% peacekeeping cap and allow the U.S. to pay its peacekeeping dues at the full assessed rate of 27%.

U.S. Engagement at the Human Rights Council

The U.S. was elected to a three-year term on the Human Rights Council in 2009. Since then, U.S. participation on the Council has yielded positive outcomes on a number of fronts, including the passage of strong resolutions condemning human rights abuses and appointing special investigators for Syria, Iran, and Libya, as well as other important achievements. The U.S. is currently running for re-election to a second term on the Council, and we urge Congress to support continued robust U.S. engagement with this multilateral human rights body.

Encouraging Ratification of Key International Treaties

Support ratification of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Continued Support for the MDGs

In 2000, all UN member states committed to the eight UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which aim to cut poverty in half by 2015. The United States played a leading role in galvanizing international support for meeting the MDGs in 2000, and reaffirmed its support for meeting the MDGs at the world summit in 2010. The global financial crisis continues to cast a heavy pall over the worlds commitments to the MDGs and foreign aid. Support a foreign aid development agenda based on the Millennium Development Goals.

View the complete, in-depth briefing book on the top U.S.-UN issues, go here.

Spread the Word

UN Day 2012: Solutions for a Prosperous World
OCTOBER

24

October 24, 2012 is UN Day. Consider planning a special event or activity to promote understanding and awareness on the valuable work of the UN! This year, UNA-USA will celebrate UN Day by recognizing the impact and invaluable work that the UN has done and continues to do to fulfill the promise of the UN Charter, and help humanity.

Plan an Event
In collaboration with your campus Model UN or student group, celebrate the UNs work and impact by hosting events and activities that emphasize this years UN Day theme.Your event can focus on solutions and progress made by the UN that impact our lives and the lives of future generations, an issue important to you, and much more. As future leaders of the international community, students can take advantage of UN Day to learn more and spread the word! Host a Speaker at your school who will highlight the work of the United Nations in the international community. Think about ways to incorporate this into an academic department, or try to collaborate with another student organization. Show a documentary related to a UN issue. To make an even bigger impact, charge admission and donate the money to a UN cause, such as the Nothing But Nets campaign to end malaria deaths. Hold a UN Day roundtable discussion on International Youth Issues. Invite students from different backgrounds to share their stories. Decorate your school, dorm, or student union building in blue and white to promote UN awareness. Collaborate with international student organizations on a fashion show involving countries and national dress of nations around the world. Be sure to include important facts about the UN with each style! Plan an advocacy day for your Model UN or student group, asking individuals to dedicate the day to educating their political leaders on the importance of the United Nations. Host a discussion featuring candidates and/ or elected officials who are running for local, state, and national office to hear their views on the UN and international politics. Ask candidates who are running for local, state, and national office about their views on the U.S.-UN relationship; follow up with a blog post on their views to educate voters.

Go Online
Dedicate your Facebook status to the UN and tweet @unausa. Blog about issues related to the UN, international development, and foreign affairs.

Resources
UNA Chapters
To amplify your voice and impact, consider partnering with your local UNA Chapter or a UN Foundation campaign or initiative.

UNA-USA members and their Chapters work with their local communities and elected officials to inform, inspire, and mobilize Americans to support the principles and vital work of the UN. With nearly 120 chapters across the nation, they provide a needed voice for the UN locally. Go to www.unausa.org/chapters to find a Chapter near you.

Other UN Foundation Campaigns and Initiatives

Better World Campaign The Better World Campaign works to foster a strong, effective relationship between the United States and the United Nations through outreach, communications, and advocacy. Check out the Better World Campaigns youth initiative, My World. My UN, and their Thank a Peacekeeper campaign to see how you can participate. Learn more here. Girl Up The Girl Up campaign harnesses the energy and compassion of American girls to raise awareness and funds for the United Nations programs that help some of the worlds hardest-to-reach adolescent girls. You can work with Girl Up by hosting an event to discuss issues facing women and girls, raising funds, or mentoring girls in your community. Learn more here. Nothing But Nets Nothing But Nets is a global grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. It costs only $10 to provide an insecticide-treated bed net that can prevent this deadly disease. The message is clear: Send a Net, Save a Life! To help, you and your student group can hold a creative fundraising and education event about the movement to end malaria. Learn more here. Shot@Life Shot@Life educates, connects and empowers Americans to champion vaccines as one of the most cost-effective ways to save the lives of children in developing countries. A national call to action for a global cause, the campaign rallies the American public, members of Congress, and civil society partners around the fact that together, we can save a childs life every 20 seconds by expanding access to vaccines. Get involved with Shot@Life advocacy priorities by educating yourself, your peers, and elected leaders on public health issues surrounding vaccines. Learn more here.

Resources
Peacekeeping Child Labor Child Marriage Urban Spaces Food and Water Access Education Human Rights Hunger Millennium Development Goals Population Issues Refugees Rural Poverty Violence Against Women and Girls Disabilities Sustainable Development Arms Trade Law of the Sea 7 Billion People Youth Employment Maternal and Child Health UNESCO Funding Economic Development ....and many more!

UN Topic Ideas Take action today and explore UN issues! Here are a few places to start

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