Welcome

The Young Professionals Network (YPN) brings together a diverse mix of young professionals who support a strong role for the UN in international affairs. We currently have over 3,000 members, based mainly in the London area. Our membership stretches across the vocational spectrum, encompassing individuals working in politics, finance, the NGO sector, fashion, CSR, academia, law and much more.

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Interview: Sangita Thebe Limbu on UNA-UK's latest careers event

 

On 10 November 2011, UNA Youth and the UNA-UK Young Professionals Network held a careers evening in collaboration with Regent's College London. Over 100 people attended the event, which gave participants the chance to hear from leading experts in the UN, NGO and recruitment sectors, get 'insider' tips and insights, and ask questions about how to land their dream job.

 

Jo Robinson, UNA-UK's communications intern, interviewed one of the participants to find out what she thought of the event.


Click here to read the interview

UNA-UK young professional Aaron Akinyemi reports on the UN NGO conference in Bonn

"The issue of sustainability has never been more pressing: harrowing images of natural disasters are ever-present on our television screens, small island states call for global action to stem the effects of climate change, and the world's population is expected to breach the 7bn mark this year. Therefore, the theme of the 64th annual UN DPI/NGO conference – "Sustainable societies, responsive citizens" – could not have been more apt.

 

Held in Bonn from 3 to 5 September, the conference attracted more than 2,100 NGO representatives from all over the world. Its aim was to galvanise action to address the developmental, economic and social challenges posed by climate change. Particular emphasis was placed on preparations for next year's "Rio+20" conference, which will mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development."


Click here for the full article

10 November - Careers event in London

On 10 November, our careers event will give you the chance to hear from leading experts in the UN, NGO and recruitment sectors, get ‘insider’ tips and insights, and ask them questions on how to land your dream job.

 

Whether you are studying, looking for work or thinking of changing jobs, UNA-UK's careers evening will enhance your knowledge, empower you to take your career forward and – we hope – improve your career prospects in today's challenging job market.


More about the event

26 August - YPN members make splash in New World magazine

The Autumn 2011 issue of UNA-UK's flagship magazine New World contains a host of articles written for and by YPN and UNA Youth members:

 

- Exclusive interview with YPN member Zoya Phan of the Burma Campaign UK

 

- Representing UNA-UK at the UN High Level Meeting on Youth

 

- Why support UN Women?

 

- Somalia: peace and food security

 

- Bahrain - the forgotten kingdom

 

- Women and security in Nepal

 

- Women and girls in armed conflict

 

- Drugs and war in Afghanistan
Make sure you share these articles on Twitter and Facebook and get in touch if you would like to write for us.

YPN event - 'Climate Change and Food Security: How to feed the world and save the planet' - 27 July

 

Held in conjunction with Chatham House Under-35s, this event looked at the impacts that food shortages have on food production, health and regional security, with speakers exploring the implications for the global food system of further climatic shifts.

 

Click here to read a transcript of the event

CLOSED: Opportunity to represent UNA-UK at UN NGO conference in Bonn

 

Thank you to all YPN members who applied to be part of our delegation to the 64th UN NGO conference, which will take place on 3-5 September 2011 in Bonn, Germany.

 

We have now selected our representatives and will be reporting on the conference in September. Click here to visit the official website for the event, which has the latest updates on the programme

 

 

Equality means business – YPN in New World


Harnessing the economic potential of women is essential for building stronger economies, prosperous communities and more stable and just societies.

 

According to the UN, research in developing countries has shown that when women and girls earn income they reinvest some 90% of it into their families, compared to just 30-40% for men. But it's not just communities that benefit. A 2006 report in The Economist ('The importance of sex', 15 April) estimated that over the past decade, women's work has contributed more to global economic growth than China.

 

Click here to read more

 

'On the Record' - 21 July: A play followed by a drinks reception

Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice is holding a benefit performance of the play "On the Record" followed by a drinks reception. On The Record circumnavigates the globe to bring you true stories of six independent journalists, all linked by their determination to shed light on the truth.

Click here for more info | Click here to book

Corruption in the UK


A poll commissioned by Transparency International UK and carried out by Gallup found that there is a strong perception of corruption among political parties and Parliament, allied with a lack of trust in the government's ability to fight it. On 15 June in London, Professor Michael Macaulay, the project's lead researcher, will be speaking on the poll's findings.

 

Click here to find out more

 

Do you support a 'Robin Hood Tax'?


UNA-UK is a member of the Robin Hood Tax Campaign, which proposes a levy on the financial sector to raise funds to tackle poverty and climate change.

 

Do you work in finance or development? If so, we'd like to hear what you think about this issue. Write to us on donaldson@una.org.uk

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