UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST UNITED NATIONS OFFICE
ADVANCING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND WORLD PEACE
Why is the U.N. Essential Today?
Our planet, now inhabited by more than 5.5 billion people, will be home to between 10-to-14 billion by the year 2050. This "little spaceship" belongs to all. If we do not find ways to share earth's resources equitably, all are doomed.
The United Nations System is the key to global survival. It is a unique means for communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution. More peace-making, peace-keeping, and peace-building efforts than ever before are helping to bring security to areas of crisis and tension in today's troubled world.
World problems transcend national borders. The U.N. and its agencies have facilitated independence for many countries; improved standards of literacy, health, housing, and nutrition; and sensitized decision makers to urgent needs and possibilities for constructive action in all major areas of concern. Environmental degradation, the AIDS pandemic, minority rights, heavy production, and transfer of arms - these and many other critical issues are on the U.N. agenda.
WHAT DOES THE UU-UNO DO?
WE INFORM - Through the UU-UNO newsletter, Window on the World, bringing readers U.N. news with a UU perspective and action alerts for community involvement.
WE BUILD COALITIONS - Working with other NGOs, we support international initiatives and priorities. We advocate the International Ban on Land Mines. We urge the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Above all, we view increased support of the U.N. as a critical objective we all share.
WE PROVIDE A VOICE - Through our Seminars and Forums allowing UUs to have face-to-face dialogue with prominent U.N. officials and NGO representatives.
WE EMPOWER YOUTH - Through our Youth Conference, co-sponsored with Young Religious UUs (YRUU). The Youth Conference brings together UU high school students, ages 15-18, chosen on merit and representing UU districts across North America to the U.N. Also, our College Internship Diversity Program allows greater access for students in the community to gain exposure to U.N. operations and career possibilities.
WE FACILITATE WORSHIP - By providing up-to-date U.N. materials, reading, and music for U.N. Sunday Celebrations. We introduce children to the U.N. through our UU RE Program - "UN ME."
WE REACH OUT - Through our sponsorship of programs, speakers, and displays at the UU General Assembly, District meetings, Cluster Conferences, and U.N. Sunday Services.
WE WELCOME - Groups and individuals that wish to visit the U.N. year-round. Attendance at the U.N. Briefings can be arranged with advanced notice to our office.
HOW DOES THE UU-UNO RELATE TO THE UUA?
An Associate Member of the UUA, the UU-UNO has its own Board, runs its own programs and raises its own budget. The UU-UNO works with other UU social justice organizations through the Social Justice Clearinghouse (SACH).
HOW IS THE UU-UNO FUNDED?
The UU_UNO is an independent membership organization relying on individual contributions, congregational support, and grants. We do not receive general funding from the UUA.
"I believe the cause of freedom and peace has a glorious future in the world. And in that future the United Nations will play a mighty part. Let none of us mock its weakness, for when we do we are mocking ourselves.
-Adlai Stevenson
UU, and Ambassador to the U.N, 1961-1965.
ENVOYS
More than 400 volunteer envoys across North America provide liaison between the UU-UNO and congregations, contributing energy, ideas, and action.
Envoys communicate U.N. news not commonly reported by the media, inform congregations of action opportunities, facilitate U.N. Sunday observances, encourage attendance at the U.N. and UU-UNO conferences, recruit UU-UNO members, and raise the visibility of the UU-UNO.
District Envoys
| Ballou-Channing | Alma Morrison |
| Central Midwest | Kathy Wiard |
| Connecticut Valley | Brian Heath |
| Florida | Barney Cook |
| Joseph Priestley | Bob Schell |
| Massachusetts Bay | Edith Cunningham |
| Metro NY | Jean Sinden, Doris Henderson & Eleanor Mason |
| Michigan | Richard & Marianna Brown |
| Mid-South | Nancy Nowak |
| Northeast | Helen Zidowecki |
| Ohio-Meadville | Edward Truitt |
| Ohio Valley | Clark Hendryx |
| Pacific Central | Jim Crane |
| Pacific Southwest | Laura Woolley Smith & Eleanor Eagan |
| Prairie Star | Marlyn Swanson |
| St. Lawrence | Eryl Court & Sylvia Heap |
| Thomas Jefferson | Judy Turnipseed |
| Western Canada | Cecil Muldrew |
| Envoy Coordinator (U.S.) | Eleanor Mason |
| Envoy Coordinator (Canada) | Eryl Court |
Board of Directors
| President | Stephanie Craib* |
| Mountainside, NJ | |
| Vice President of Envoy Program | Eleanor Mason* |
| Morris Plains, NJ | |
| Vice President of Finance | Duncan Whiteside |
| New York, NY | |
| Treasurer | Karla Alfano* |
| Port Washington, NY |
Directors
| David Baker | Buffalo, NY |
| Elizabeth Bowne | Hattiesburg, MS |
| Neil Bracken | Landsdale, PA |
| Richard Brown | Ann Arbor, MI |
| Elaine Harvey | Kingston, ON |
| Stephanie Downs Hughes | Naperville, IL |
| Rev. Virginia Knowles | Silver Springs, MD |
| Paul Kuhn | Indianapolis, IN |
| Rev. John Marsh | San Francisco, CA |
| Alma Morrison | Scituate, MA |
| James Olson | Rego Park, NY |
| Rev. George Robinson | New York, NY |
| Hildegaard Schubert | New York, NY |
| Erin Tower* | New York, NY |
| Jane Urry | New York, NY |
| John Washburn* | New York, NY |
| Robert Wright | Verdun, PQ |
*Executive Committee Members
Staff
| Executive Director | Karin Werner |
| Strategic Communications | Will Baker |
| Outreach Coordinator | Athena Gassoumis |
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST UNITED NATIONS OFFICE
777 UN PLAZA C-C
New York, NY 10017
PH (212) 986-5165 FX (212) 867-9245
E-Mail: UUUNO1@aol.com
Anyone interested in participating may contact Betsy Rivard.