What is UNA-UK?

The United Nations Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UNA-UK) is the UK's leading independent policy authority on the UN. As we are independent of the UN system and receive no funding from it, we can be critical of its decisions and activities when we need to be and can call for the organisation to be reformed so that it is better equipped to fulfil its fundamental functions: to maintain international peace and security, to promote development and to uphold human rights around the world.

We are proud to be a UK-wide membership organisation encompassing individuals of diverse ages, backgrounds and interests.

What does UNA-UK do?

Through the work of our staff, volunteers and members, we campaign and educate to promote the principles of the UN Charter and to support the work of the UN and its agencies.

UNA-UK is a non-party political organisation. Our 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:

• The Millennium Development Goals & sustainable development
• Peace & security
• Human rights & humanitarian action
• UN reform

Education lies at the heart of our work. Only through education and public awareness and pressure can effective, lasting change be achieved. To this end UNA-UK provides support and materials for those interested in organising Model UN events and provides resources for people wanting to develop their knowledge of the UN system and activities.

I'm a student: how can I get involved?

UNA-UK has a very active youth and student programme. The UN Youth and Student Association 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.

I'm a graduate/young professional: what about me?

UNA-UK's Young Professionals Network 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.

How can I join UNA-UK?

UNA-UK connects with its membership through head office, as well as through our regional and local branch structure. You can support your local branch and play a full part in our work in your local community. All members:

• receive a copy of our quarterly magazine New World, as well as other briefings and publications
• receive invitations to UNA-UK branch, regional and national events
• can get involved in and support UNA-UK's many other activities

Find out how to join UNA-UK online today.

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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