MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2018
June 5, 2018

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2018
Contact: Cassie Ann Hodges, UNA-USA chodges@unfoundation.org, 202-552-8845
Historic Number of Americans Expected on Capitol Hill to Urge Congress to Support Full U.S. Funding for the United Nations and Advocate UN Priorities
Attendees will present their Members of Congress with a copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights amid a growing number of human rights challenges around the world
Washington, D.C.— A historic number of Americans from across the nation will show their support for the United Nations on Tuesday, June 12, in Washington D.C. This gathering takes place on the final day of the United Nations Association of the United States of America’s (UNA-USA) 2018 Leadership Summit, a conference that trains and mobilizes Americans who support the vital work of the UN. With more than 600 attendees expected from 46 states plus the District of Columbia, this annual Lobby Day will be one of the largest gatherings ever of Americans on Capitol Hill united in their support of a fully funded UN.
The convening takes place at a pivotal moment for the world and the U.S.-UN relationship, as American leaders are deliberating the nation’s role at the UN, and funding for several UN priorities remain under threat. During in-person meetings with Members of Congress and their staff, more than 600 advocates will collectively call for full U.S. funding for the UN Regular Budget and UN Peacekeeping dues in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. UNA-USA members will also commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by presenting a copy of the document to every Member of Congress.
Research shows that American voters registered in both major parties agree that sustained U.S. leadership at the UN is vital. A nationwide poll released last October by the Better World Campaign, UNA-USA’s sister organization, found that a vast majority of Americans—88 percent—believe it is important for the U.S. to maintain an active role at the UN.
To demonstrate this overwhelming support for strong U.S.-UN engagement, Americans from across the country will petition Congress to maintain robust U.S. support for vital UN agencies and programs and discuss pressing global issues like climate change, peace and security, human rights, the refugee crisis, and more.
WHO: More than 600 UNA-USA members and supporters from across the country
WHAT: 2018 UNA-USA Leadership Summit’s Lobby Day one of the largest convenings to date of Americans on Capitol Hill in support of strong U.S.-UN engagement. Attendees will present their Members of Congress with a copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document that embodies a key pillar of the UN’s work.
WHEN: Tuesday, June 12, 2018, 7:30am-5:00pm ET
WHERE: United States Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.
Contact Cassie Ann Hodges, Communications Officer for UNA-USA, at chodges@unfoundation.org or 202-552-8845, to interview speakers or participants attending this historic Summit or for a full list of where the event attendees are from (city and state). Photos and B-roll from the event can be made available.
For more information on the 2018 UNA-USA Leadership Summit, visit unausa.org/LS2018. If you are interested in covering the full Leadership Summit, contact Cassie Ann Hodges at chodges@unfoundation.org.
###
About UNA-USA:
The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) is a grassroots movement of Americans who support the vital work of the United Nations in U.S. communities, colleges, and Congress. For more than 70 years, UNA-USA and its national network of 20,000 members and 200 Chapters have promoted strong U.S. leadership at the UN through advocacy campaigns, youth engagement, outreach programs, and public events.
About the United Nations Foundation:
The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by philanthropic, corporate, government, and individual donors. Learn more at: www.unfoundation.org