Unitarian Universalists and the United Nations

World problems transcend national borders. The UN and its agencies can count among their successes worldwide improvements in literacy, health, housing and nutrition as well as unique communication facilitation. But much remains to be done.

Critical issues remaining on the UN agenda include environmental degradation; AIDS; the rights of women, children, and minorities; the production and transfer of arms; and, as always, peace-making, peace-keeping and peace-building. Since the end of the Cold War, hundreds of thousands have suffered torture, displacement and death in local border disputes; yet without the constant efforts of the UN’s mediators, those terrible tolls would have been much higher.

The United Nations provides a public forum and support system for non-governmental organizations, empowering small grassroots groups to find allies and become catalysts for effective international action. Slavery, colonialism and apartheid have all but ended in the 20th century, due largely to the orchestrated actions of civil movements. Modeled by the tremendously successful international Committee to Ban Landmines, civil society organizations could very well put an end to war in the 21st century.

Can UUs really make a difference at the U.N.? 

In July 1997, through the initiative of the UU-UNO, the UUA was granted special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This resulted in a significant increase in potential influence beyond that of our previous status as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) accredited to the UN Department of Public Information (DPI).  

As a DPI-NGO, our two delegates could attend informational briefings of the DPI, receive regular mailings on UN issues, and use the NGO Resource Centre at the UN. We could attend the annual DPI/NGO Conference in New York, but were limited to the role of educating our members and others about the UN.  

Now as an ECOSOC-NGO, we retain the above privileges, but also have gained the right to state our views at the UN, not merely to listen. We can send six more delegates to attend public meetings of ECOSOC bodies, and can submit position papers on relevant issues. In this way, we can express the power of our ethical beliefs at the world forum.

How does the UU-UNO relate to the UUA? 

The UU-UNO is an Associate Member of the UUA that acts as the denomination’s agent and voice at the United Nations. The UU-UNO has its own Board, runs its own programs, and raises its own budget. The UU-UNO recommends names to the UUA Board of Directors for appointment as delegates to the UN. The UUA relies on the UU-UNO for knowledgeable recommendations on delegates and key issues.

Functions of the UU-UNO

What does the UU-UNO do?

WE INFORM —

• through our newsletter, Window on the World
• through action alerts, printed and electronic  
  
• through annual seminars featuring experts on international issues  
  
• through programs at UU General Assembly, district and cluster meetings

WE FACILITATE WORSHIP —

• with readings, music, and information for UN Sunday
• through our RE program UN-ME for grades 4-6

WE EMPOWER YOUTH —

• through our annual intergenerational services
• through our office internship program

WE ADVOCATE AT THE UN —

• Our delegates to ECOSOC can observe meetings, make recommendations, and lobby UN officials.