7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Registration Open | Atrium Ballroom

7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Resource Exhibit | Atrium Ballroom

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Breakfast and Networking | Atrium Ballroom

8:30 – 9:40 a.m.

Opening Plenary | Atrium Ballroom
Chris Whatley, Executive Director, UNA-USA; Hon. Teta Banks, National Council Chair, UNA-USA; Mary Kirtley Waters, Director of the UN Information Center (D.C.); Award Recipients; Joshua Cooper, Co-Chair, U.S. Human Rights Network Universal Periodic Review Task Force

9:50 – 10:50 a.m. | BREAKOUT SESSION 1 

From Passion to Policy: What You Need to Know before Lobby Day | Atrium Ballroom

Micah Spangler, Director, Advocacy and Humanitarian Affairs, Better World Campaign; Teena Halbig, Vice President, UNA-USA Kentucky Chapter

We live in a politically challenging world, yet UNA-USA is dedicated to making the case for the UN across the U.S. Come and learn about our advocacy challenges and opportunities, and how to best prepare for Lobby Day on Capitol Hill! This session will also feature a review of our advocacy resources and how we can help you answer any questions you may have about the best tactics to influence your Members of Congress.

Understanding Our Legislative Priorities in the New Congress | Oceanic

Ryan Kehmna, Deputy Director, Better World Campaign

The most diverse Congress in American history is here! In this session, you will learn about how to build relationships in the 116th Congress to help you make the case for the UN in your community. In addition, attendees will review the functions of Congress, understand how we determine our legislative priorities, and learn about what to expect on Capitol Hill for the remainder of this year.

UPR Human Rights Consultation: Ensuring the Rights of Migrants and Refugees | Hemisphere A

Kennji Kizuka, Senior Researcher and Policy Analyst, Refugee Protection, Human Rights First; Haris Melendez, President, UNA-USA Northern-New Jersey Chapter

Join this interactive session to help UNA-USA gather feedback and generate recommendations for an upcoming review of the U.S. domestic human rights record at the UN, specifically on the human rights of migrants and refugees. Advocates of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome to participate. Results from the meeting will be shared with the UN Human Rights Office, UN Human Rights Council, and State Department. (Note: This is 1 of 5 interactive breakout sessions connected to the U.S. Universal Periodic Review, or UPR)

Partnerships and Collaborations: Strategies for Outreach and Impact | Hemisphere B

Troy Wolfe, Senior Director, Education and Programs, UNA-USA; Desiree Watson, Founder and President, Wellness Interactive; Zephanii Smith Eisenstat

Partnerships and collaborations are critical if we are to achieve the Global Goals by 2030. Join us for this session as we focus on strategies to engage the community and localize the Sustainable Development Goals.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | BREAKOUT SESSION 2

Strategic Planning: Supporting Current Leadership and Building for the Future | Atrium Ballroom

Anna Mahalak, Youth Engagement Manager, UNA-USA; Katrina Finch, Senior Associate, Chapter Development, UNA-USA; Melissa Wolfe (National Capital Area Chapter); Paula Boland (National Capital Area Chapter); Oona Nelson (Howard University Campus Chapter); Alex Anvari (SW Connecticut Chapter); Patrick Murphy (Southern Illinois Campus Chapter); Farah Eck (Greater Chicago Chapter)

During this session, chapter leaders will rotate through three tables to discuss 1) managing leadership transitions and succession planning; 2) pipeline building and leadership development; and 3) delegation and workload management. Chapter leaders will work with the facilitator and each other to identify challenges their chapters face in these areas, and create a strategic plan to tackle these issues. Chapters are expected to leave the session with an understanding not only of opportunities they can utilize to overcome these challenges, but also the steps they will take to support chapter leadership.

UPR Human Rights Consultation: Realizing Gender Equality | Oceanic

Himaja Nagireddy, National Council Representative and Co-Chair of UNA Women, UNA-USA

Join this interactive session to help UNA-USA gather feedback and generate recommendations for an upcoming review of the U.S. domestic human rights record at the UN, specifically connected to gender equality. Advocates of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome to participate. Results from the meeting will be shared with the UN Human Rights Office, UN Human Rights Council, and State Department. (Note: This is 1 of 5 interactive breakout sessions connected to the U.S. Universal Periodic Review, or UPR.)

From Passion to Policy: What You Need to Know before Lobby Day | Hemisphere A

Micah Spangler, Director, Advocacy and Humanitarian Affairs, Better World Campaign; Teena Halbig, Vice President, UNA-USA Kentucky Chapter

We live in a politically challenging world, yet UNA-USA is dedicated to making the case for the UN across the U.S. Come and learn about our advocacy challenges and opportunities, and how to best prepare for Lobby Day on Capitol Hill! This session will also feature a review of our advocacy resources and how we can help you answer any questions you may have about the best tactics to influence your Members of Congress.

Bringing Global Education to the Classroom | Hemisphere B

Marco Sanchez, Youth Engagement and Advocacy Coordinator, UNA-USA

UNA-USA is dedicated to empowering educators and students with tools and experiences that help them take action for the world. Come and learn about how we can help you bring global education to the classroom! During this session, you will also get an inside look at UNA-USA’s new app MyDiplomat, a free education resource that will connect students with world issues at the forefront of UN policy debate. Simulations in the MyDiplomat app place students in the shoes of diplomats, challenging them to think and speak about global issues from the perspective of another country. This new online tool is a fun, interactive way to learn about the UN while practicing important skills such as decision-making, effective communication and critical thinking.

12 – 1:45 p.m.

Plenary Lunch: A Conversation on Inter-generational Climate Activism | Atrium Ballroom

Elisabeth Philippe, Senior Manager of Community and Media Relations, UNFCU; Award Recipients; Michael Scott Peters, U.S. Youth Observer to the UN; Kristin Hogue, Board Chair, Earth Uprising; Alexandria Villaseñor, Founder and Executive Director, Earth Uprising

​Join UNA-USA for a keynote discussion between Kristin Hogue (M.A. Climate and Society at Columbia University) and her 14-year-old daughter Alexandria Villaseñor who skips school on Fridays to strike in front of United Nations Headquarters in the name of climate change. Every week, rain or shine, Alexandria sits on a bench in front of the UN in New York City with her signs, bringing attention to the issue of climate change. Inspired by Swedish student Greta Thunberg, Villaseñor and other young activists from across the country organized the global school strike for climate this past spring. Hogue will speak to the importance of youth-adult partnerships in activism and raising a climate activist as a parent, and Alexandria will share her advice for young activists within UNA-USA.

2 – 3 p.m. | BREAKOUT SESSION 3

UNA Chapter SDG Showcase: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally | Atrium Ballroom

Rebecca Kinney; Zephanii Smith Eisenstat

This session will be a highly interactive and hands-on display of UNA chapters’ work on the SDGs. Presentations will outline best practices and ideas for how other chapters can activate and adapt similar concepts in their communities. The focus of the session will emphasize that local action drives #2030Now, and that chapters have found creative ways to address local challenges by creating opportunities for learning and engagement around the SDGs.

Campus and Community Chapter Collaboration: What Works Best? | Oceanic

Nicole Hall (University of South Florida Campus Chapter); Stephanie Evangelista (CSU Fullerton Campus Chapter); Evans Mensah (Denver Metro Area Chapter); Catherine Hidalgo Jara (Tampa Bay Chapter); Barry Simon (Southern California Division)

Collaboration brings together people with different perspectives to build something more unique, efficient, successful, and creative—but how does this differ between community and campus chapters? What could that look like? Hear from chapter leaders how they discovered the best way for them to work with other UNA chapters and what that has done to improve their own programming. You’ll also have the opportunity to talk with a community or campus chapter leader about your own ideas to receive immediate feedback you can take home to implement.

UPR Human Rights Consultation: Ensuring the Rights of Older Persons | Hemisphere A

Molly Checksfield, Program Officer, National Academy of Sciences; Judith Harris, National Council Secretary, UNA-USA

Join this interactive session to help UNA-USA gather feedback and generate recommendations for an upcoming review of the U.S. domestic human rights record at the UN, specifically connected to ensuring the human rights of older persons. Advocates of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome to participate. Results from the meeting will be shared with the UN Human Rights Office, UN Human Rights Council, and State Department. (Note: This is 1 of 5 interactive breakout sessions connected to the U.S. Universal Periodic Review, or UPR.)

The Message and the Medium: Creating a Communications Toolkit for UN Day | Hemisphere B

Sarah Hopkins, Communications and Digital Officer, UNA-USA; Gillian Wilson, Communications Associate, UNA-USA

In this session, participants will learn the necessary components for building a strong communications plan, with a specific focus on developing a digital strategy for UN Day on October 24.

3:10 – 4:10 p.m. | BREAKOUT SESSION 4

Strategic Planning: Growing and Retaining Chapter Membership | Atrium Ballroom

Anna Mahalak, Youth Engagement Manager, UNA-USA; Katrina Finch, Senior Associate, Chapter Development, UNA-USA; Dave O’Connor (Orlando Chapter); Jeremy Zullow (Princeton/Trenton Chapter); Chloe Murphy (UCLA Campus Chapter); Matthew Jernstedt (Phoenix Chapter); Andrew Doll (National Capital Area Chapter); Haris Melendez (Northern New Jersey Chapter)

Membership retention is an ongoing struggle for all chapters, big and small. During this strategic planning session, you will work with a facilitator and others at various round tables to talk about your experiences with membership engagement, including recruitment and onboarding new members, engaging existing members, and recognizing your most loyal members. You will identify your chapter’s challenges and opportunities, and plan next steps to better engage all three types of members. Round tables will rotate so that each participant will discuss each membership stage.

Adopt-A-Future | Oceanic

Troy Wolfe, Senior Director, Education and Programs, UNA-USA; Elizabeth Marks, Director, Community Fundraising, USA for UNHCR; Nicole Smith, Data Analyst, USA for UNHCR

UNA has raised more than $220,000 to support UNHCR and refugees in Kenya. Join us as we celebrate this milestone and learn about best practices, hosting an event, and what’s next.

UPR Human Rights Consultation: Combating All Forms of Racism | Hemisphere A

Rejane Frederick, Associate Director, Poverty to Prosperity Program, Center for American Progress; Farah Eck, President, UNA Greater Chicago Chapter

Join this interactive session to help UNA-USA gather feedback and generate recommendations for an upcoming review of the U.S. domestic human rights record at the UN, specifically connected to combating racism. Advocates of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome to participate. Results from the meeting will be shared with the UN Human Rights Office, UN Human Rights Council, and State Department. (Note: This is 1 of 5 interactive breakout sessions connected to the U.S. Universal Periodic Review, or UPR.)

Making Media Matter: Connecting Climate to Your Community | Hemisphere B

Kelli Meyer, Communications and Digital Officer, Better World Campaign; Chandler Green, Communications and Digital Officer, UN Foundation

In this interactive session, attendees will learn how they can leverage their personal stories in local outlets to bring the global issue of climate change to their community and inspire decision makers to act. Attendees will learn best practices for writing Letters to the Editor (LTEs), tips for getting them placed, and how to distribute to maximize exposure.

4:20 – 5 p.m.

Advocacy Day Role Playing | Atrium Ballroom

Attendees will have the opportunity to observe UNA-USA staff delivering mock meetings showcasing potential conversations between advocates and U.S. Senators. In-depth discussions will follow, exploring a variety of essential talking points, as well as identifying tools for an effective conversation. This session also serves to familiarize advocates with significant details and general language surrounding UN global issues of focus, so that groups will feel equipped to lead a driving and productive meeting with policy-makers later on Capitol Hill.

5:30 p.m.

Film Screening: Love Sonia | Carnegie Institution for Science

 

 

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