Campus Advocates 2013

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The future is in your han

Be a voice for the United Nations on your campus tod

United Nations Association of the USA

Campus Advocates

Getting Started & Issues Guide

2013 - 201


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Start Today

Educate ........................................ 4 Learn more about the UN and its work around the world.

Teach others about the importance of the UN and the opportunitiesU.S. citizens have for leadership.

Advocate ....................................... 6 Encourage strong U.S. leadership at the UN by advocating on its behalf.

Spread the Word .......................... 8 Plan a UN Day event for October 24, 2013. Spread awareness about the work of the UN.

Resources ...................................... 9 Work with UNA-USA Chapters in your local community.

Partnerwith other organizations and United Nations Foundation campaigns

and initiatives to make an impact.

Find out more about the many issues facing the United Nations.


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Educate

Every day, the United Nations and its family of agencies work to improve peoples lives throughout the world.

With little fanfare or media attention, the UN delivers on its mandate from the UN Charter to ensure a safer andhealthier world for present and future generations. The UN provides everything from emergency relief, to vaccina-tions, to counter-terrorism training. It resolves conicts and keeps peace in the worlds most dangerous places, and

it supports elections and new institutions that build democracy.

Educate yourself and others on the vital work the United Nations performs every day.

Start a Conversation Make a presentation at your schoolon how the UN impacts the U.S.

Work with a teacher or professor tohave the work of the UN integrated

into their curriculum.

Dedicate your Facebook and Twitterstatuses to educating others about

the UN.

Educate your peers by gettingthem involved in Model UN or your

schools international relations club.

When doing outreach for yourstudent group, be sure to incorporate

facts on the benecial work of theUN.

Host a student discussion groupto help dispel myths about the UN,increase awareness, and promoteunderstanding of the United States

role in the UN.

Do UN-based research or work

with a professor to explore interna-

tional organizations.

Talking Points EconomicBenet: For every $1 our nation contributes to theUN Secretariat- the institution responsible for carrying out the day-

to-day work of managing the UNs general operations globally- wereceive more than $1.60 back. In 2011, the U.S. received more than$192 million in contracts to support 17 UN Peacekeeping opera-

tions.

SpecializedAgencies:Bodies such as the International AtomicEnergy Agency, World Health Organization, International Maritime

Organization, and others promote core U.S. foreign policy, economic,national security, and humanitarian goals every day. U.S. engagementwith these agencies is an extremely cost-effective way to addressglobal challenges.

U.S.DuesandContributions:From 2009-2012, the U.S. re-turned to good nancial standing at the UN by fully funding its bud-get assessments and paying recent debts, in addition to supporting

voluntary contributions to most of the UN humanitarian relief anddevelopment agencies. A new peacekeeping mission in Mali, however,and enforcement of an arbitrary cap on U.S. dues for peacekeeping

operations have created the potential for the U.S. to slide back intoarrears over the coming scal year. Future contributions should fundthe UN in full, on time, and without conditions.

UNStrengtheningandReform:The UN continues to updateits operations and management practices to meet the challenges ofthe 21st century. Changes are taking place in nearly every area of

UN operations to increase cost efciency and transparency, stream-

line the UNs work, strengthen accountability and oversight, improvebusiness practices, and recruit and maintain quality staff.

Find in-depth information on these talking points in the UNA-USA 2013 BriengBookand read up on UN issues on The InterDependent and UN Dispatch.
http://www.betterworldcampaign.org/assets/pdf/briefing-book/2013-briefing-book.pdfhttp://www.betterworldcampaign.org/assets/pdf/briefing-book/2013-briefing-book.pdfhttp://www.theinterdependent.com/http://www.undispatch.com/http://www.undispatch.com/http://www.theinterdependent.com/http://www.betterworldcampaign.org/assets/pdf/briefing-book/2013-briefing-book.pdfhttp://www.betterworldcampaign.org/assets/pdf/briefing-book/2013-briefing-book.pdf


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Educate


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Advocate

Each year the United Nations provides food to 100 millionpeople in 73 countries, vaccinates 58% of the worlds chil-dren, saving 2.5 million lives a year, promotes maternal health

to save the lives of 30 million women a year, and so muchmore.

Elected Leaders in the U.S. need to know more about thepositive impact the United Nations has on the world. Stu-dents can advocate for UN issues on the local, state, andnational levels.

UNA-USA educates U.S. citizens and policy makers aroundfour core elements of the U.S.-UN relationship: full payment

of dues for the UNs regular and peacekeeping budgets, hu-man rights, the Millennium Development Goals, and ratica-

tion of UN treaties.

Write, e-mail, or call your

Congressional representative to

discuss specic action he or she can

take.

Write an op-ed or letter to the

editor at your campus or local

newspaper urging leaders to recog-

nize the importance of the UN.

Set up a meeting with your local

elected ofcials or an in-district

meeting with your representative

or senator.

Meet with elected leaders on

Capitol Hill.

As a student, you can advocate wherever you

live: in your home district or out-of-state.

How to Advocate Advocacy Resources

UNA-USA provides complete advocacy

resources for communicating with elect-

ed ofcials, the legislative process, and

up-to-date UN issue talking points. Go towww.unausa.org/advocacyto learn more

or click below:

Advocacy Agenda (Full Version)

Advocacy Resources

Advocacy News

Find Your Representative

2013BriengBook:TheU.S.and

the UN in the 113th Congress
http://www.unausa.org/advocacyhttp://www.unausa.org/advocacy/advocacy-agendahttp://www.unausa.org/advocacy/advocacy-resourceshttp://www.unausa.org/advocacy/advocacy-news/bloghttp://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtmlhttp://www.betterworldcampaign.org/assets/pdf/briefing-book/2013-briefing-book.pdfhttp://www.betterworldcampaign.org/assets/pdf/briefing-book/2013-briefing-book.pdfhttp://www.betterworldcampaign.org/assets/pdf/briefing-book/2013-briefing-book.pdfhttp://www.betterworldcampaign.org/assets/pdf/briefing-book/2013-briefing-book.pdfhttp://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtmlhttp://www.unausa.org/images/content/Briefing_Book.pdfhttp://www.unausa.org/advocacy/advocacy-news/bloghttp://www.unausa.org/advocacy/advocacy-resourceshttp://www.unausa.org/advocacy/advocacy-agendahttp://www.unausa.org/advocacy


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Full Funding for the UN Regular Budget and UN Peacekeeping

As the U.S. is the UNs largest contributor, Congressional funding shortfalls will signicantly impact theUNs ability to carry out its operations. At a time when the United States and United Nations are workingtogether to address some of the worlds most pressing challengesfrom the humanitarian needs of survi-vors of devastating earthquakes in Japan and Haiti, to political crises and violence in Iraq, Libya, Sudan andAfghanistanit is more important than ever that the U.S. maintain its longstanding commitment to globalleadership and engagement by continuing to fully fund the UN. Learn More

Promoting Human Rights through the UN

The U.S. has a long history of supporting UN human rights mechanisms, beginning with our deep involve-ment in founding the UN and our efforts to ensure that the organization would hold the promotion of

human rights as one of its core pillars. Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt led the effort to develop theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights, which is the rst document in human history to spell out the ba-sic civil, political, economic, and social rights that all human beings should enjoy. The UN works to defendand promote human rights through three key mechanisms within the UN system: Human Rights Treaties,the Ofce of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Human Rights Council. Learn More

EncouragingRaticationofKeyInternationalTreaties

The United Nations provides a platform for nations to work together to establish international norms,standards, and agreements in the common interest of all nations. In recent decades, the UN has facilitatednegotiation of critical international treaties on issues ranging from trade and commerce to the environ-

ment and human rights. While, historically, the United States has played a leading role in fostering the de-velopment of international law, the U.S. has thus far failed to ratify several important international conven-tions negotiated under the auspices of the UN, including: the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, theConvention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Conventionon the Rights of the Child, and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.Learn More

Continued Support for the MDGs and Post-2015 Process

In 2000, all UN member states committed to the eight UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),which aim to cut poverty in half by 2015. The United States played a leading role in galvanizing internation-

al support for meeting the MDGs in 2000, and reafrmed its support for meeting the MDGs at the worldsummit in 2010. The global nancial crisis continues to cast a heavy pall over the worlds commitments tothe MDGs and foreign aid. Support a foreign aid development agenda based on the Millennium Develop -ment Goals. Learn More.

AdvocateTop U.S.-UN IssuesDont Forfeit U.S. Leadership at the

United Nations

Viewthecomplete,in-depthbriengbookonthetopU.S.-UNissues, gohere.
http://www.unausa.org/advocacy/advocacy-agenda/un-fundinghttp://www.unausa.org/advocacy/advocacy-agenda/human-rights#sthash.wJCPxLFn.dpufhttp://www.unausa.org/advocacy/advocacy-agenda/international-treaties#sthash.zZtYu6Br.dpufhttp://www.myworld2015.org/http://www.betterworldcampaign.org/assets/pdf/briefing-book/2013-briefing-book.pdfhttp://www.betterworldcampaign.org/assets/pdf/briefing-book/2013-briefing-book.pdfhttp://www.myworld2015.org/http://www.unausa.org/advocacy/advocacy-agenda/international-treaties#sthash.zZtYu6Br.dpufhttp://www.unausa.org/advocacy/advocacy-agenda/human-rights#sthash.wJCPxLFn.dpufhttp://www.unausa.org/advocacy/advocacy-agenda/un-funding


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Spread the Word

OCTOBER

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UNDay2013:PartnershipsforGlobalProgress

October 24 is UN Day. Consider planning a special event or activity to promoteunderstanding and awareness on the valuable work of the UN! This year, UNA-USA will celebrate UN Day by recognizing the impact and invaluable work thatthe UN has done and continues to do to fulll the promise of the UN Charter,

and help humanity. Click here for additional resources.

Go Online

Dedicate your Facebook status to the UN and tweet @unausa.

Blog about issues related to the UN, international development, and foreign affairs.

Plan an Event

In collaboration with your campus Model UN or student group, celebrate the UNs work and impact byhosting events and activities that emphasize this years UN Day theme. Your event can focus on solutionsand progress made by the UN that impact our lives and the lives of future generations, an issue impor-

tant to you, and much more. Take advantage of UN Day to learn more and spread the word!

Host a Speaker at your school who willhighlight the work of the United Nations in

the international community. Think aboutways to incorporate this into an academic de-partment, or try to collaborate with anotherstudent organization.

Show a documentary related to a UN issue.

To make an even bigger impact, charge admis-sion and donate the money to a UN cause,such as the Nothing But Nets campaign to end

malaria deaths.

Hold a UN Day roundtable discussion on in-ternational youth Issues. Invite students fromdifferent backgrounds to share their stories.

Decorate your school, dorm, or studentunion building in blue and white to promote

UN awareness.

Collaborate with international student organiza-tions on a fashion show involving countries andnational dress of nations around the world. Be sureto include important facts about the UN with eachstyle!

Plan an advocacy day for your Model UN or stu-dent group, asking individuals to dedicate the day toeducating their political leaders on the importanceof the United Nations.

Host a discussion featuring candidates and/ orelected ofcials who are running for local, state, andnational ofce to hear their views on the UN andinternational politics.

Contact UNA-USA about obtaining pre-made ad-vocacy cards related to the topic youre interestedin exploring.
http://www.unausa.org/membership/una-usa-events/un-dayhttps://twitter.com/unausahttps://twitter.com/unausahttp://www.unausa.org/membership/una-usa-events/un-day


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Resources

To amplify your voice and impact, consider partnering with your local UNA Chapter

or a UN Foundation campaign or initiative.

UNA Chapters

UNA-USA members and their Chapters work with their local communities and elected ofcials to inform,inspire, and mobilize Americans to support the principles and vital work of the UN. With nearly 120 Chap-ters across the nation, they provide a needed voice for the UN locally. Go to www.unausa.org/chaptersto

nd a Chapter near you.

Other UN Foundation Campaigns and Initiatives

Better World CampaignThe Better World Campaign works to foster a strong, effective relationship between

the United States and the United Nations through outreach, communications, and ad-vocacy. Check out the Better World Campaigns youth initiative,My World. My UNandtheir Thank a Peacekeepercampaign to see how you can participate. Learn more here.

Girl UpThe Girl Up campaign harnesses the energy and compassion of American girls to raise

awareness and funds for the United Nations programs that help some of the worlds hard-est-to-reach adolescent girls. You can work with Girl Up by hosting an event to discussissues facing women and girls, raising funds, or mentoring girls in your community. Learnmore here.

Nothing But Nets

Nothing But Nets is a global grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a lead-ing killer of children in Africa. It costs only $10 to provide an insecticide-treated bed netthat can prevent this deadly disease. The message is clear: Send a Net, Save a Life! To help,

you and your student group can hold a creative fundraising and education eventabout the movement to end malaria. Learn more here.

Shot@LifeShot@Life educates, connects and empowers Americans tochampion vaccines as one of the most cost-effective ways to

save the lives of children in developing countries. A national callto action for a global cause, the campaign rallies the American

public, members of Congress, and civil society partners around the fact thattogether, we can save a childs life every 20 seconds by expanding access to vac-cines. Get involved with Shot@Life advocacy priorities by educating yourself,your peers, and elected leaders on public health issues surrounding vaccines.Learn more here.
http://www.unausa.org/membership/directoryhttp://www.betterworldcampaign.org/myworldmyun/http://www.betterworldcampaign.org/un-peacekeeping/get-involved/thank-un-peacekeeper-2012.htmlhttp://www.betterworldcampaign.org/take-action/http://www.girlup.org/get-involved/http://www.girlup.org/get-involved/http://www.nothingbutnets.net/act/get-involved.htmlhttps://secure.globalproblems-globalsolutions.org/site/SPageNavigator/SAL_email_congress.htmlhttps://secure.globalproblems-globalsolutions.org/site/SPageNavigator/SAL_email_congress.htmlhttp://www.nothingbutnets.net/act/get-involved.htmlhttp://www.girlup.org/get-involved/http://www.girlup.org/get-involved/http://www.betterworldcampaign.org/take-action/http://www.betterworldcampaign.org/un-peacekeeping/get-involved/thank-un-peacekeeper-2012.htmlhttp://www.betterworldcampaign.org/myworldmyun/http://www.unausa.org/membership/directory


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ResourcesUN Topic Ideas

Take action today and explore UN issues!

Hereareafewplacestostart:

Peacekeeping

Child Labor

Child Marriage

Urban Spaces

Food and Water Access

Education

Human Rights

Hunger

Millennium Development Goals

Population Issues

Refugees

Rural Poverty

Violence Against Women and Girls

Disabilities

Sustainable Development

Arms Trade

Law of the Sea

7 Billion People

Youth Employment

Maternal and Child Health

Economic Development

LGBT Equality

Post-2015 Development Agenda
http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/childlabour/index.shtmlhttp://www.girlup.org/assets/pdfs/factsheet1-about-child-marriage.pdfhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/cities/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/food_security.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/efa/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/humanrights/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/food/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/mdgs/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/population/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/refugees/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/ruralpov/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/endviol/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/disabilities/http://www.sustainableenergyforall.org/http://www.un.org/disarmament/ATT/http://www.un.org/depts/los/index.htmhttp://www.7billionactions.org/http://social.un.org/youthyear/docs/youth-employment.pdfhttp://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/maternal.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/development/https://www.unfe.org/http://www.myworld2015.org/http://www.myworld2015.org/https://www.unfe.org/http://www.un.org/en/development/http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/maternal.shtmlhttp://social.un.org/youthyear/docs/youth-employment.pdfhttp://www.7billionactions.org/http://www.un.org/depts/los/index.htmhttp://www.un.org/disarmament/ATT/http://www.sustainableenergyforall.org/http://www.un.org/disabilities/http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/endviol/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/ruralpov/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/refugees/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/population/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/mdgs/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/food/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/humanrights/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/efa/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/food_security.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/cities/index.shtmlhttp://www.girlup.org/assets/pdfs/factsheet1-about-child-marriage.pdfhttp://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/childlabour/index.shtmlhttp://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/

Campus Advocates 2013

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Transcript of Campus Advocates 2013