What is UNA-UK and what does it do?

The UN Association of the UK (UNA-UK) is the UK's leading independent policy authority on the UN and a grassroots membership organisation with a network of supporters acorss the UK. We aim to promote a strong, credible and effective United Nations, fronting a global system based on cooperation and the rule of law.

We work towards this goal in five ways:

• by explaining to the UK why the UN matters, how it works and what it can realistically achieve
• by influencing decision-makers to pursue foreign policies that support the UN’s work in peace, human rights and development
• by mobilising civil society to support the UN and its work
• by working with educators and young people to foster a new generation of internationalists
• by ensuring that UNA-UK itself operates effectively and sustainably

UNA-UK derives great strength from its three supporter groups:

• our UK-wide network of dedicated volunteer branches
• our vibrant youth and student wing
• our dynamic network of young professionals

Together these groups make up an exceptionally diverse supporter base, encompassing a wide range of ages and backgrounds and extending to all four nations of the UK.

Can I get involved?

No matter your stage of life or place of work, you are encouraged to get involved in the work of UNA-UK. By becoming a member you will be joining a movement that pushes the UK government to use its influence at the UN to prevent war, champion human rights, fight poverty and protect the environment.

UNA-UK members get a free subscription to our flagship magazine, New World, and invitations to exclusive functions. In June 2008, for example, UNA-UK members joined NGO leaders, British politicians, senior journalists and international diplomats at an event featuring a major speech by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

You can join online, over the phone or by post. Our Membership Officer, Rich Nelmes, would be happy to tell you more about UNA-UK and the different ways you can support us. He is available on 020 7766 3456 or membership (a) una.org.uk.

UNA-UK is pleased to be associated with the following organisations:
	UNIFEM-UK UNIFEM is the women's fund at the United Nations. It supports projects that promote women's economic security, human rights and status. UNIFEM-UK, the organisation representing UNIFEM in the UK, works by bringing together individuals, groups and organisations who share the belief that women across the world deserve an equal chance to participate in the societies in which they live and that this participation benefits all.
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	UNICEF-UK UNICEF-UK is one of 37 National Committees around the world that raises funds for the programmes of UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund. UNICEF advocates for lasting change for the world’s children and undertakes worldwide emergency and development work.
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	Refugee Council The Refugee Council is the largest organisation in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees. They not only give help and support, but also work with asylum seekers and refugees to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed.
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	Jubilee Debt Campaign The Jubilee Debt Campaign is a coalition of local/regional groups and national organisations whose focus is on changing UK government policy on debt to ensure that the maximum influence is brought to bear on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
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	Stamp Out Poverty Stamp Out Poverty campaigns for additional sources of revenue to bridge the massive funding gap required to bring the world’s poorest people out of poverty. They are a network of more than 50 UK organisations, including Oxfam, Save the Children, Christian Aid, AMICUS and War on Want, which have pioneered initiatives such as a stamp duty on sterling currency transactions, which could raise billions to help provide clean water, healthcare and education.
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	Cluster Munition Coalition: Stop Cluster Munitions The CMC is a network of civil society organisations, including NGOs, faith-based groups and professional organisations, who share a common goal of stopping civilian casualties from cluster munitions.
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	Trade Justice Movement The Trade Justice Movement is a fast-growing group of organisations including trade unions, aid agencies, environment and human rights campaigns, fairtrade organisations, faith and consumer groups. Together, the groups are campaigning for trade justice - not free trade - with the rules weighted to benefit poor people and the environment.
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	Stop Climate Chaos Stop Climate Chaos is a civil society movement seeking to mobilise pubic pressure in support of immediate and comprehensive political action to curb greenhouse gas emissions and so to prevent the 'chaos' that climate change, if left unchecked, is likely to cause.
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	GAPS: Gender Actions for Peace and Security GAPS is an expert group of peace and development NGOs, academics and grassroots peacebuilders. The aim of the network is to act as a resource and provide support to United Kingdom policymakers engaged in promoting peace and security.
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WACUNA	WACUNA: Women's Advisory Council The Women's Advisory Council is a non-party-political organisation which provides a forum for the exchange of opinions with women's organisations on the work of the UN, its specialised agencies and UNA-UK. Membership is drawn from women's national organisations and the women's sections of national and international organisations.
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