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Restoring US Leadership through International Cooperation: An Advocacy Agenda for 2009
With the start of the new year, the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) released a new blueprint for improving America's role in the world and strengthening US-UN relations. The 2009 Advocacy Agenda outlines the Association’s policy priorities and provides concrete outcome goals for each issue, as well as specific actions that UNA-USA members and leaders can take to help promote the agenda.
The 2009 Advocacy Agenda covers the following six priority issues:
1) Strengthening the US-UN Relationship;
2) Advancing Human Rights and International Justice;
3) Renewing the United Nations;
4) Building International Consensus on Climate Change;
5) Achieving the Millennium Development Goals;
6) Promoting Arms Control and Disarmament.
The Board-approved Advocacy Agenda was developed through consultations with a number of UNA-USA groups, including chapters and divisions from around the country, the Council of Organizations and the National Council.
With a changed political landscape that includes a new administration and many new members of Congress, there are greater opportunities for educating policymakers about the importance of working collaboratively through a strong United Nations to find effective solutions to today’s shared global problems.
To find out how to take advantage of these opportunities, read our 2009 Advocacy Agenda by clicking here.
UNA-USA Commemorates Human Rights Day and the
60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Take Action | Features | Events | Resources
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| Mr. Nevas presenting the Human Rights Award to Mrs. Katrina Swett |
Leo Nevas Human Rights Award Luncheon
In commemoration of Human Rights Day and the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Association of the USA and the Newman’s Own Foundation presented the second annual Leo Nevas Human Rights Award at a luncheon at UN Headquarters on Monday, December 15.
This year’s ceremony featured a posthumous tribute to the Honorable Tom Lantos. Lantos, the only holocaust survivor to be elected to Congress, championed human rights throughout his career in public service. His daughter, Mrs. Katrina Swett, accepted the award on his behalf.
Molly Bruce, a longtime UNA-USA leader and key contributor to Eleanor Roosevelt's efforts to further human rights in the decades after the UN was formed, presented the inaugural Leo Nevas Human Rights Young Advocate award to Ibrahim Diallo. Read more here.
Protecting Equality and Justice for 60 Years
By Christopher J. Tangney 
For decades, December 10 has been celebrated by United Nations member states as Human Rights Day, yet this year marks a particularly significant milestone: the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or UDHR.
Praised as the bedrock upon which international human rights law was built, and representing a time-tested commitment to equality, justice and nondiscrimination, the tenets of the declaration remain as vital to the UN’s mission today as they were in 1948, when world leaders issued the decree in the wake of the unconscionable human rights abuses of World War II.
Click to continue reading.
It’s Time to Join the Human Rights Council
By Lawrence Moss
Some critics claim the US would be on high moral ground to continue the Bush administration’s policy of complete disengagement from the newly created UN Human Rights Council. That would be a huge mistake, says Lawrence Moss who represented Human Rights Watch in the negotiations leading to the creation of the Human Rights Council and in the three elections of council members in the General Assembly. Read the full story here.
UNA-USA's Special Edition Fact Sheets:
The UN's Role in Advancing Human Rights
1) UN Human Rights Council (.pdf)
2) Office of the High Commisioner for Human Rights (.pdf)
UNA-USA's E-Newsletter - Human Rights Day Edition
This week's E-Newsletter also focuses on human rights issues, with articles from Barbara Crossette on the Khmer Rouge Tribunal in Cambodia, Lawrence Moss on why the US should join the Human Rights Council, an analysis of UN peacekeeping operations by former Financial Times reporter MArk Turner, and a report on the struggle to protect human rights in Iraq. We will also be debuting a new feature, Grassroots Voices, which allows UNA-USA members to voice their opinions on important UN-related subjects. Sign up for the E-News.
 Take Action
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights not only represents the first universal statement recognizing core values of individual human rights, but was an historic achievement for the United Nations, and the United States, as well. The U.S. Bill of Rights was among the documents used as the basis for drafting the Universal Declaration, and Eleanor Roosevelt played a critical role in the adoption and drafting of the Declaration as the chair of the UN Human Rights Commission.
The landmark document serves as a lasting reminder of how much can be accomplished when the United States works constructively through the United Nations. As we celebrate its sixtieth anniversary, we can help honor the extraordinary vision of Eleanor Roosevelt and the founders of the Declaration by taking a minute to send a letter, calling on the United States to recommit to the Universal Declaration’s enduring principles and, in the spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt, to demonstrate enlightened and determined leadership to help the UN achieve its goal of promoting fundamental human rights.
Click here to urge President-elect Obama's administration to ensure that the United States upholds the principles enshrined in the Declaration. Take action today.
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