United Nations Association UK
Encyclopedia
The United Nations Association of the UK (UNA-UK) is the leading independent policy authority on the UN in the UK and a UK-wide grassroots membership organisation.
and its agencies. As UNA-UK is independent of the UN system and receives no funding from it, the organisation can be critical of the UN's decisions and activities when it needs to be, and can call for the Organisation to be reformed so that it is better equipped to fulfill its fundamental functions: to maintain international peace and security, to promote development and to uphold human rights around the world.
UNA-UK head office in London
provides policy expertise to support the advocacy work of UNA-UK members. It maintains an ongoing dialogue with UK government ministers, parliamentarians and the media on issues relating to the UN. UNA-UK wants to promote multilateralism and adherence to international law
through four policy programmes:
UNA-UK connects with its membership through a regional and local branch structure. UNA-UK publishes a quarterly magazine, 'New World', which contains articles specific to the work of the United Nations.
UNA-UK is also a founding member of the World Federation of United Nations Associations
.
In early 2005 UNA-UK was tasked by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
to conduct a public and expert engagement process on UN reform in the lead up to the UN Millennium Review Summit in September 2005.
A series of national and regional public debates were undertaken to examine the recommendations made in the UN Secretary-General's Report, In Larger Freedom. The purpose of the debates was to ensure the widest possible public input into the development of the UK government's priorities for the 2005 World Summit
.
The events proved very popular, attracting a cross-section of society, including youth, trade unions, parliamentarians, NGOs, the armed services and academia. Common themes emerged: a clear and widespread support for a strengthened United Nations, and a reaffirmation of the UN's unique importance as both a forum for negotiating viable solutions to collective threats, and an instrument for taking collective action to meet diverse threats, from climate change to terrorism.
UNA-UK compiled a report based on the feedback received and supplemented this with expert input.
On 28 November at Portcullis House Foreign Office Minister Lord Triesman and UNA-UK Executive Director Sam Daws launched 'In Larger Freedom in the UK'. The launch took place following a talk by Edward Mortimer
, Director of Communications and Chief Speechwriter in the UN Secretary-General’s Office, at the inaugural meeting of the United Nations All-Party Parliamentary Group. The audience included parliamentarians, UNA-UK members, staff from the UN family in London , civil servants and NGO representatives.
delivered a wide-ranging address under UNA-UK auspices to an audience of UNA-UK members, diplomats and civil society. Speaking of statesmanship and confidence-rebuilding the Secretary-General outlined his vision of a UN capable of dealing with today's crises.
In a question and answer session that followed, Mr Annan was asked to reflect on his term as Secretary-General. “You cannot do this kind of job for as long as I have done in the world we live in and not have regrets,” he replied. “I do have regrets. I regret that I was unable to breach the divisions amongst member States over the Iraq war. The divisions are still there. They are healing, but I was really deeply disappointed that I could not help bridge the differences,” he added.
The event commemorated the 60th anniversary of the first meeting of the UN General Assembly, which was itself held in Central Hall Westminster in January 1946.
Lord Hannay of Chiswick, Chair of UNA-UK, opened the event . The then Foreign Secretary Jack Straw
also shared his fond memories of his active involvement in UNA as a student, and warmly introduced the Secretary-General.
Commenting after the occasion, UNA-UK Executive Director Sam Daws said, "UNA-UK is delighted to have hosted this major policy speech by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The Secretary-General gave a frank account of progress achieved to date on UN reform and the main obstacles to success. His answers to questions from the audience - especially his assessment of his time in office - were wonderfully candid, and served as a reminder of his warmth, commitment and contribution to the aims of the United Nations."
Activities
UNA-UK campaigns and educates to promote the principles of the UN Charter and to support the work of the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and its agencies. As UNA-UK is independent of the UN system and receives no funding from it, the organisation can be critical of the UN's decisions and activities when it needs to be, and can call for the Organisation to be reformed so that it is better equipped to fulfill its fundamental functions: to maintain international peace and security, to promote development and to uphold human rights around the world.
UNA-UK head office in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
provides policy expertise to support the advocacy work of UNA-UK members. It maintains an ongoing dialogue with UK government ministers, parliamentarians and the media on issues relating to the UN. UNA-UK wants to promote multilateralism and adherence to international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
through four policy programmes:
- Implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals
- Peace, security and disarmament
- Human rights and humanitarian affairs
- UN reform
UNA-UK connects with its membership through a regional and local branch structure. UNA-UK publishes a quarterly magazine, 'New World', which contains articles specific to the work of the United Nations.
UNA-UK is also a founding member of the World Federation of United Nations Associations
World Federation of United Nations Associations
The World Federation of United Nations Associations was created in 1946, inspired by the opening words of the United Nations Charter "We the Peoples". Today it is a global network of people linked together through United Nations Associations in over 100 member states of the United Nations...
.
In Larger Freedom in the UK
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, commonly called the Foreign Office or the FCO is a British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas, created in 1968 by merging the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office.The head of the FCO is the...
to conduct a public and expert engagement process on UN reform in the lead up to the UN Millennium Review Summit in September 2005.
A series of national and regional public debates were undertaken to examine the recommendations made in the UN Secretary-General's Report, In Larger Freedom. The purpose of the debates was to ensure the widest possible public input into the development of the UK government's priorities for the 2005 World Summit
2005 World Summit
The 2005 World Summit, 14–16 September 2005, was a follow-up summit meeting to the United Nations' 2000 Millennium Summit, which led to the Millennium Declaration of the Millennium Development Goals...
.
The events proved very popular, attracting a cross-section of society, including youth, trade unions, parliamentarians, NGOs, the armed services and academia. Common themes emerged: a clear and widespread support for a strengthened United Nations, and a reaffirmation of the UN's unique importance as both a forum for negotiating viable solutions to collective threats, and an instrument for taking collective action to meet diverse threats, from climate change to terrorism.
UNA-UK compiled a report based on the feedback received and supplemented this with expert input.
On 28 November at Portcullis House Foreign Office Minister Lord Triesman and UNA-UK Executive Director Sam Daws launched 'In Larger Freedom in the UK'. The launch took place following a talk by Edward Mortimer
Edward Mortimer
Edward Mortimer CMG was until January 2007 the Director of Communications in the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General...
, Director of Communications and Chief Speechwriter in the UN Secretary-General’s Office, at the inaugural meeting of the United Nations All-Party Parliamentary Group. The audience included parliamentarians, UNA-UK members, staff from the UN family in London , civil servants and NGO representatives.
Kofi Annan addresses UNA-UK in London
In an historic speech in January 2006 at Central Hall Westminster, UN Secretary-General Kofi AnnanKofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
delivered a wide-ranging address under UNA-UK auspices to an audience of UNA-UK members, diplomats and civil society. Speaking of statesmanship and confidence-rebuilding the Secretary-General outlined his vision of a UN capable of dealing with today's crises.
In a question and answer session that followed, Mr Annan was asked to reflect on his term as Secretary-General. “You cannot do this kind of job for as long as I have done in the world we live in and not have regrets,” he replied. “I do have regrets. I regret that I was unable to breach the divisions amongst member States over the Iraq war. The divisions are still there. They are healing, but I was really deeply disappointed that I could not help bridge the differences,” he added.
The event commemorated the 60th anniversary of the first meeting of the UN General Assembly, which was itself held in Central Hall Westminster in January 1946.
Lord Hannay of Chiswick, Chair of UNA-UK, opened the event . The then Foreign Secretary Jack Straw
Jack Straw (politician)
John Whitaker Straw is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Blackburn since 1979. He served as Home Secretary from 1997 to 2001, Foreign Secretary from 2001 to 2006 and Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons from 2006 to 2007 under Tony Blair...
also shared his fond memories of his active involvement in UNA as a student, and warmly introduced the Secretary-General.
Commenting after the occasion, UNA-UK Executive Director Sam Daws said, "UNA-UK is delighted to have hosted this major policy speech by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The Secretary-General gave a frank account of progress achieved to date on UN reform and the main obstacles to success. His answers to questions from the audience - especially his assessment of his time in office - were wonderfully candid, and served as a reminder of his warmth, commitment and contribution to the aims of the United Nations."
UN Youth & Student Association
UNA-UK has a very active youth and student programme. The UN Youth and Student Association (UNYSA) is a network of university groups, schools and individual members across the UK who exchange ideas and organise events to promote the work of the UN among young people.Young Professionals Network
UNA-UK's Young Professionals Network (YPN) brings together a diverse mix of young professionals in their 20s and 30s who support a strong role for the UN in international affairs. The Network provides opportunities for like-minded individuals to meet each other and to engage with politicians and influential members of the business community.See also
- United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
- United Nations AssociationUnited Nations AssociationThe United Nations Associations are non-governmental organizations that exist in various countries to enhance the relationship between the people of a member state and the United Nations, raise public awareness of the UN and its work, promote the general goals of the UN and act as an advisory body...
- United Nations Association WalesUnited Nations Association WalesThe United Nations Association Wales is an organisation campaigning in Wales to make the ideals of the United Nations a reality. It campaigns, lobbies and raises awareness on issues of disarmament, conflict prevention, sustainable development and human rights...
- Humphry BerkeleyHumphry BerkeleyHumphry John Berkeley was a British politician noted for his many changes of parties and his efforts to effect homosexual law reform, and both oppose, and then seem to abet, grand apartheid....
- League of Nations UnionLeague of Nations UnionThe League of Nations Union was an organization formed in the United Kingdom to promote international justice, collective security and a permanent peace between nations based upon the ideals of the League of Nations. The League of Nations was established by the Great Powers as part of the Paris...
External links
- United Nations Association UK
- The United Nations Regional Information Centre (UNRIC)
- Catalogue of the papers of the United Nations Association held at LSE Archives