The President's Corner | Policy

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Since becoming president of UNA-USA, my mission has been to re-energize and expand UNA’s membership base through sharing information and ideas about the UN and the foreign-policy choices facing the United States. I’m using this page as a digital space for consolidating material on all of issues we've have been dealing with, in order to illustrate the support and attention our core efforts are receiving in the media, to respond to your inquiries, and share with you what I hear and what I know. Thanks for all of your support for our efforts.

Obama’s Defense of a “Just” Peace
Column | Dec. 16, 2009 | The World Bulletin

In President Obama’s speech accepting the Nobel Prize last week, he attempted to justify continued US involvement in Afghanistan. Using World War II and Hitler’s scourge as one prime example of fighting a “just” war, Obama told the Nobel Academy audience in Norway that though the US is scaling up the fight in Afghanistan, it is at the same time striving for peace. Read more.

At UNA’s Annual Gala, a Snapshot of the World
Column | Dec. 2, 2009 | The World Bulletin

Last week, UNA-USA celebrated the 10th anniversary of Global Classrooms® at its annual fund-raiser, popularly known as the UNA gala. The celebration gathered 400 guests at Cipriani 42nd Street, the group consisting of diplomats, national and international civil servants, elected officials, UN press corps, civil society, business leaders, philanthropists and New Yorkers who appreciate the UN. Read more.

Ban Ki-moon Fasted for a Day. Will You?
Column | Nov. 18, 2009 | The World Bulletin
While the UN World Summit on Food Security ends in Rome today, more than one billion people around the world – one-sixth of the population, primarily in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa – will go to sleep hungry, if not die hungry. It is not surprising that the UN, an organization committed to alleviating suffering in the world’s poorest places, is taking the lead in dealing with the crisis. Read more.

Ban Swings Through the Northwest, Pausing to Reminisce
Column | Nov. 5, 2009 | The World Bulletin
My trip to Seattle with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last month involved two days of full schedules to meet not only civic and business leaders but also reserve time to converse with local UNA members. The setting could not have been more serene for our whirlwind itinerary. Read more.

Carnegie Council's David Speedie Talks with Tom Miller
Interview | Oct. 28, 2009 | The Carnegie Council
UNA-USA President Tom Miller discusses the U.S. role in the world and the power of grass roots commitment, and how citizens can change U.S. policy by reminding leaders of their obligations. Watch the video, read the transcript, or listen to the podcast/RSS.

The US Needs Experienced Ambassador at the Human Rights Council
Column | Oct. 21, 2009 | The World Bulletin
Whenever the UN Human Rights Council comes up in discussions, people’s eyes glaze over. That is because it is an institution that is not well understood or well known beyond a coterie of UN watchers... Read the full article here. Read Tom's letter to President Obama here.

Setting the Record Straight: The Aftermath of Obama’s Visit to the UN
Column | Oct. 07, 2009 | The World Bulletin
Out in California, I met with UNA members from San Francisco to Monterey to Santa Barbara to Pasadena, and I heard how overjoyed everyone was that President Obama spoke so powerfully at the General Assembly; as president of the Security Council; and at the UN’s Climate Summit – all in one week... Read the full article here.

Obama Leads by Example
Column | Sept. 23, 2009 | The World Bulletin
Many of you have been asking me why President Obama’s visit to the General Assembly and to the Security Council this week is so important. There are a couple of reasons. Read the column here.

Tom Miller's Bio
Thomas Miller | President and CEO| UNA-USA
Tom Miller was appointed president and CEO of the United Nations Association of the United States of America in 2009. For 65 years, UNA-USA has helped lead America’s international efforts through its membership in the United Nations. Read his full bio here.

"Do as I Do Diplomacy"
Op-Ed | Sept. 22, 2009 | The New York Times
With UNA-USA co-chairs William McDonough and Thomas Pickering, Tom recently wrote a NYT op-ed asserting that to be an active leader in the world community, the US must return to the international treaty frameworks on which the UN is founded. Read the article here.

"Trick or Treaty"

Letter to the Editor | Sept. 21, 2009 | The Washington Times
UNA-USA president Thomas Miller recently submitted a letter to the editor at The Washington Times, responding to common misperceptions that international treaties and conventions threaten American sovereignty. Read the letter here.

"Obama Will Play a Major Role at UN General Assembly"
Interview | Sept. 14, 2009 | Council on Foreign Relations
UNA-USA president Thomas Miller was recently interviewed by the Council on Foreign Relations on President Obama's first visit to the UN, and applying America's renewed commitment to multilateralism to his foreign policy agenda. To read it, click here.

Points of Accomplishment: Obama at the 64th General Assembly Opening
Talking Points | Sept. 29, 2009 | Global Policy
The Global Policy Department has produced the following talking points to inform UNA chapter leaders, members and UN-watchers across the US on what President Obama’s first visit to the General Assembly and Security Council accomplished, in support of the mutual interests of the US and the UN. Download them here.