Mid-East Region Takes the UN's Case to Capitol Hill

UNA-USA's Mid-East Regional Conference, which took place March 11-12, was a success! The conference brought together representatives from across the region's 13 chapters and seven states to attend exclusive grassroots training sessions, advocacy meetings and special briefings.

Better World Campaign Director, Mike Beard, led advocacy training on UNA-USA's 2012 Advocacy Agenda and provided best practices for communicating with members of Congress. Following advocacy training, members set out on Capitol Hill, meeting with nearly 20 House and Senate offices to discuss UN funding issues, support of the Millennium Development Goals and passage of key international treaties.

After the congressional meetings, Dr. Esther Brimmer, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations at the U.S. Department of State, provided attendees an overview of the Obama Administration's 2012 Foreign Policy Agenda, and contextualized the relationship between the U.S. Department of State and the United Nations. The conference closed with a panel discussion on the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, bringing together panelists from the International Center for Research on Women, the United Nations Development Programme, and the U.S. Department of State.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
UNA-USA
1615 M Street, NW, 7th floor, Washington, DC 20036

Workshops Included:

• Grassroots Program Development
• Advocacy Training
• Networking

Monday, March 12, 2012

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Capitol Hill Visitor Center, Room HVC-200
East Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20001

Program Included:

• Meetings with members of Congress
• Policy Briefings Featuring: Dr. Esther Brimmer, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs discussing, "The Obama Administration's 2012 Foreign Policy Agenda"