National Advocacy Week

All UNA-USA chapters and divisions, members, and affiliated organizations are invited to participate in National Advocacy Week by visiting the local offices of your members of Congress during the Independence Day recess from June 27-July 3.

Visiting with your legislators and their staff is the most effective way to get your message heard. By joining your fellow UNA-USA activists around the country during National Advocacy Week, you can make a tangible impression on your elected representatives of the strong public support that exists for working through the United Nations.

WHY NOW?

Congress is in the midst of making key decisions concerning US financial participation in the United Nations, the most fundamental and important manifestation of American support of the world body.

In addition, the UNA-USA Biennial National Convention adopted 18 substantive issues resolutions on June 14, 2009, covering a broad range of UN topics. Chapters and affiliated organizations participating in National Advocacy Week can make an essential and valuable contribution to this Association-wide grassroots exercise by personally delivering the resolutions to members of Congress.

Lastly, the political situation for US ratification of two important and long-delayed UN treaties is the best that it's ever been, but additional momentum is needed for a vote to be scheduled on the Senate's busy calendar.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

• How to Schedule Visits with Your Legislators 
• Tips for Meeting with Your Legislators 
• Partnering with local UNA-USA affiliates

TALKING POINTS

US Financial Support of the United Nations

• Congress just passed the Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Spending Bill, providing up to $837 million for UN peacekeeping. These funds will enable the United States to pay its current UN peacekeeping dues and arrears from prior years.
• To find out how your Representative voted, click here. To find out how your Senator voted, click here.
• If your Senators or Representative voted for the bill, thank them for their support of the UN's critical peacekeeping work around the world.
• The President's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Request provides for full payment of US dues to international organizations ($1.79 billion total)--including the UN regular budget ($597 million) and specialized agencies--and UN peacekeeping ($2.26 billion). The request also provides voluntary contributions to UN funds and programs ($356 million).
• Ask your members of Congress to support the President's full FY10 Budget Request for assessed and voluntary contributions to international organizations, including the United Nations.
• See our talking points on UN funding and the value of US participation in the United Nations.

 2009 Biennial National Convention Resolutions

• Please print the resolutions and present them to your members of Congress, explaining that they were adopted earlier this month by representatives of UNA-USA's chapters and divisions from around the country. For a PDF copy of the resolutions, click here.

US Ratification of UN Treaties

• Ask your Senators to support immediate US ratification of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• See our UNCLOS talking points and fact sheet.
• Ask your Senators to support immediate US ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
• See our CEDAW talking points and fact sheet.
  

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