Summer Potpourri of UNA-NYC News Highlights
Over 500 UNA members gathered in Washington D.C. for the annual Global Leadership Summit to strengthen the key role of UNA-USA nationally and to advocate for a stronger U.S.-UN relationship. A great number of NY chapter members were present during the three-day summit, sharing their perspectives on global issues and the chapter’s best practices. Their active participation in all sessions and breakout groups was crucial to the success of the conference.
We were pleased to have the participation of our Board Member, Justine LaVoye, and Advisory Council member Desiree Watson as panelists in some of the sessions at this year’s Summit.
Desiree Watson, Founder and President of Wellness Interactive and UNA-NYC Advisor, spoke about the importance of social media in spreading the message of UNA across the United States. Her expertise on partnerships and collaborations has allowed her to increase the outreach and impact of her company. As she stated, every UNA chapter must use social media as a platform for social good. Each online platform is an opportunity to spread the message of the UN and increase the support of Americans for the organization.
In another session, UN Careers: Your Opportunity, Your Future, UNA-NYC Board Member Justine LaVoye participated as moderator, and led an interactive discussion focused on opportunities for civil society to get involved with the UN and its platforms. As a recent fellow in the chapter’s annual Summer Scholars program, she shared some of her learning experiences abroad, as well as her close understanding of the UN’s role in solving issues around the globe.
On the third day of the Summit, participants attended meetings on Capitol Hill with congressmen and women to promote and ensure a budget to the UN from the U.S. government. Juan Pablo Celis, UNA-NYC Communications Associate, led the discussion with House Rep. Adriano Espaillat of New York, on the necessity for taking a stand on climate change, while ensuring the voice of New Yorkers for increasing budget and support to the UN and its agencies.
During the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) sessions of the Summit, UNA-NYC Executive Director Ann Nicol shared her interest with the audience on expanding the human rights conversation, as well as bringing the UPR process closer to the membership. The many UPR sessions hosted by chapters will contribute to the UNA-USA Shadow Report on human rights.
UNA-NYC is committed to promoting and strengthening the conversation of human rights issues. This summer, UNA-NYC has been at the forefront in expanding the conversation around LGBTI human rights, by participating in World Pride NY March, in partnership with GAP Inc., and hosting an online survey and in-person UPR consultation.
UNA-NYC members have given specific recommendations to promote and strengthen the intergenerational conversation amongst communities, while incentivizing funding to support NGOs that offer a space to expand this conversation. Furthermore, the necessity to cooperate and support campaigns, such as UN Free & Equal, has been stressed. These efforts will contribute to the overall UNA initiative to improve human rights issues in the United States.
Special thanks to UNA-NYC members that attended the Leadership Summit, as well as those who marched in World Pride NYC, making sure that the voices of our membership were represented, strong and clear.