Our flagship education program Global Classrooms wrapped up the domestic conference season last week with the Global Classrooms International High School Model UN conference in New York City. Nearly 2,500 students convened at the United Nations, and over three days sought resolution to the world’s most pressing problems.

WASHINGTON -- Today, the United Nations Foundation and the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) announced the awardees for their 2013 Global Leadership Awards Dinner, scheduled for November 6. One of the most significant events in New York annually, the Global Leadership Dinner brings together a distinguished audience, including “A-list” attendees from the highest levels of the diplomatic, business, government, philanthropic, media, celebrity, and social sectors.

Guest speakers include the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, and UN Foundation President & CEO Kathy Calvin

 

NEW YORK -- Nearly 2,500 high school students from 23 countries around the world are taking the seats used by actual UN delegations in UN General Assembly Hall for today’s Opening Ceremonies of the United Nations Association of the USA’s (UNA-USA) Global Classrooms® International Model UN Conference. The Opening Ceremony includes addresses from the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi; Alternate Representative of the U.S. for Special Political Affairs in the UN, Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis; as well as United Nations Foundation President & CEO Kathy Calvin.

NEW YORK -- Brooke Loughrin was a dedicated and diligent student at Boston College in Fall 2012 when she received a call that would change her life for the next year and beyond. “YO!”, a new and spirited documentary short produced by the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), tells the story of Brooke’s selection to be the first-ever U.S. Youth Observer at the United Nations, and demonstrates how youth voices are actively involved in the UN’s work. The film will premiere today during the Opening Ceremonies of UNA-USA’s Global Classrooms International Model UN Conference in UN General Assembly Hall.

WASHINGTON -- More than 600 middle and high school students from the Washington, D.C. area are taking part in Model United Nations activities during the United Nations Association of the USA’s (UNA-USA) Global Classrooms® Washington, D.C. Model UN Conference. The conference, hosted and organized by the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA), is taking place at the U.S. Department of State; the conference is the largest annual gathering at the department.

CHICAGO — More than 400 middle and high school students from more than 20 Chicago Public Schools are attending the United Nations Association of the USA's (UNA-USA) Global Classrooms® Chicago Model UN Conference at the Chicago History Museum today. The event features a keynote address from Dr. Joan Prince, Alternate Representative of the United States to the 67^th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, and Chicago Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz. Discussion topics for students include: access to education; sustainable development; migration in Latin America and the Caribbean; and the situation in North Korea.  

Spring has sprung in the Nation’s Capital. The famed cherry blossoms dotted the Tidal Basin and have since fallen. Pollen levels have started to sky rocket. On the West Coast, not a cloud scars the sky as perfect spring temperatures bring out people of all ages to soak in the beauty. What a great moment to celebrate Earth Day (or Mother Earth Day as the UN refers to it).

WASHINGTON -- The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Organization Affairs (IO) are launching a global Model UN simulation on climate change. The simulation is part of an exciting new collaboration designed to provide U.S. embassies across the globe small-scale, classroom-ready Model UN materials for use in youth outreach activities. The simulation materials are made available in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic.

NEW YORK  -- Today, nearly 1,600 middle school students from the around the world file into General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters for the United Nations Association of the USA's (UNA-USA) Global Classrooms® International Middle School Model UN Conference in New York City today through Saturday. This conference is the only international Model UN conference designed specifically for students in grades 5-8, and is the largest middle school Model UN in the world.

HOUSTON -- Hundreds of students from the Houston Independent School District (HISD) are attending the United Nations Association of the USA's (UNA-USA) Global Classrooms® Houston Model UN Conference today at Lanier Middle School. In Model UN, students role-play as representatives from countries, interest groups, and nongovernmental organizations in simulations of UN bodies. Global Classrooms Model UN has amazed schools around the globe with its ability to cultivate global literacy, life skills, and attitudes necessary for global citizenship.

BOSTON - More than 250 middle and high school students from 15 schools in the Boston area are attending the United Nations Association of the USA's Global Classrooms® Boston Model UN Conference today at Northeastern University. In Model UN, students role-play as representatives from countries, interest groups and nongovernmental organizations in simulations of UN bodies.  Global Classrooms Model UN has amazed schools around the globe with its ability to cultivate global literacy, life skills, and attitudes necessary for active citizenship, showing that students deeply care about the world outside their local community.

TAMPA BAY -- More than 500 middle and high school students from the Tampa area are attending the United Nations Association of the USA’s Global Classrooms® Tampa Bay Model UN Conference today at the University of South Florida. In Model UN, students role-play as representatives from countries, interest groups and nongovernmental organizations in simulations of UN bodies.  Global Classrooms Model UN has amazed schools around the globe with its ability to cultivate global literacy, life skills, and attitudes necessary for active citizenship, showing that students deeply care about the world outside their local communities.

It is funny how much can change in a week. Just days ago, I was on the verge of penning a terrific column about progress on the Millennium Development Goals. It was coming together nicely, but I’ll have to save it for another month.

Join Harry Mueller and Susan Brand for their presentation about life in Saudi Arabia. Harry and Susan spent ten years living in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, while both worked (petroleum geologist, kidney dialysis nurse) for ARAMCO, the Saudi Arabian National Oil Company. They traveled over large parts of the kingdom and met and worked with a broad spectrum of Saudis and individuals from over 50 countries.

Take action today and call your Senator, many of whom are up for re-election in 2014, to oppose all amendments that would cut funding to the UN and to our critical diplomatic and development programs. The U.S. cannot afford to fall behind on our dues to the UN and diminish our influence on the world's stage. 

WASHINGTON - The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) announced its partnership with Seton Hall University to give advanced undergraduate and graduate students the chance to engross themselves in the political dynamics of the United Nations. Since 2001, the United Nations Intensive Summer Program has familiarized students with the inner-workings of the UN by bringing them together with distinguished practitioners working in the field of multilateral diplomacy.

One of the highlights of my experience at the United Nations in Geneva has been the opportunity to meet with human rights defenders from a variety of countries to discuss their courageous efforts to advance the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Currently, 76 countries criminalize private, consensual same-sex relationships, and LGBT individuals around the world continue to face violence and persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) Executive Director Patrick Madden is in Hawaii’s capital today speaking to leading thinkers in foreign policy and Hawaii elected officials about the UN and its vital work around the world.

HILO, HI – The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) is re-launching its Hawaii Island Chapter today, at the Chapter’s Annual Meeting. UNA-USA Executive Director Patrick Madden is speaking at the re-launch, joining supporters of the UN from across the State of Hawaii for a day of Chapter building, learning, and networking.

Bonjour from Geneva! On my first overseas trip as the U.S. Youth Observer, I am spending one week at the U.S. Permanent Mission in Geneva, the United States’ largest overseas multilateral diplomatic post, reporting on the range of important international issues covered at the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva. The range of international issues covered here is so broad that the U.S. has appointed four ambassadors to serve in Geneva: the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva; the U.S. Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization; the U.S. Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament; and the U.S. Representative to the Human Rights Council. Every day, the U.S. Mission in Geneva engages on issues as diverse as refugee crises, global health, international law, economic development, the environment, the internet, human rights, and disarmament.