UNA-USA 2011 Annual Meeting: A Strong American Voice for the UN

The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) convenes in Washington this week to as further proof of American supportfor the UN and how to best engage the American people in the UN’s robust agenda.  UNA-USA members from across the country will come together to share their collective voices on Capitol Hill to raise awareness of the United Nations and the critical role it plays in advancing American national security and foreign policy goals. This week’s meetings are the first UNA-USA Annual Meeting since joining the United Nations Foundation family.

“At a critical time in history, UNA-USA chapters are actively engaged in raising awareness on the important work of the UN.  Americans across the country support the United Nations, and this week, UNA-USA members will bring that message from Main Street to Capitol Hill.  Our members will advocate for a strong U.S.-UN relationship and a continued active engagement at the UN is an integral part of effective American foreign policy,” said Patrick Madden, Executive Director of the United Nations Association of the United States of America.

On Tuesday, June 14, UNA-USA’s members will gather for meetings and special sessions on Capitol Hill, with a luncheon featuring Rep. Russ Carnahan. UNA-USA members will spend the day meeting with their Members of Congress to discuss strong public support that exists for active U.S. participation in the United Nations.  Recent polling conducted on behalf of UNA-USA’s sister organizations, the United Nations Foundation and the Better World Campaign, found that 85% of Americans say it is important the U.S. maintain an active role in the UN.  The majority of voters also said they support the payment of U.S. dues to the UN and UN peacekeeping operations, on time and in full.

In addition to a keynote address from UN Foundation President Timothy E. Wirth, the Annual Meeting will feature a series of speakers including UN Foundation CEO Kathy Calvin, Chair of UNA-USA’s Strategy Council Ambassador Thomas Pickering, UN Foundation board member Dr. Nafis Sadik, and Ambassador Susan Rice from the U.S. Department of State.

“The United Nations is at the forefront of some of the world’s most difficult challenges today. The energy of UNA-USA’s grassroots support for the UN on Capitol Hill this week and in members’ hometowns and neighborhoods every day of the year, is essential to telling the UN story.” said UN Foundation President Timothy E. Wirth.

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About the United Nations Association of the USA
The mission of UNA-USA is to inform, inspire and mobilize Americans to support the principles and vital work of the United Nations and to strengthen the United Nations system; to encourage U.S. leadership to work constructively through the United Nations and encourage everyone to achieve the goals of the United Nations Charter; and through its Programs and more than 100 chapters, to educate the American public about the invaluable work of the United Nations, raise funds and carry out local activities related to the United Nations. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org/unausa.