Hello to all UNA friends and members!

I hope you’re having a pleasant summer.

I’m just back from the UNA-USA annual meeting in Washington, D.C., where the energy and enthusiasm for our nation’s recently renewed relationship with the UN created a wonderful buzz. The big topic of conversation, of course, was the proposed alliance between the UNA-USA and the United Nations Foundation (UNF). While each organization brings a distinct perspective to this joint venture, the alliance of the two promises to create many more opportunities to advance the mission of the United Nations. The UNA brings the vitality of grass roots activism, with local chapters educating friends and neighbors about UN programs and efforts. The United Nations Foundation, on the other hand, brings to the table a focused and well-organized set of initiatives to advance global understanding and peace. Among the many UNF initiatives are NothingButNets, an innovative health initiative to provide mosquito netting to prevent deaths from malaria, the GirlUp Campaign, an “opportunity [for American girls] to channel their energy and raise awareness for [UN] programs, and a campaign to reduce carbon emissions in order to combat climate change.”

While the details remain to be worked out as to the shape of the alliance between the UNA-USA and UNF, this much is clear. The UNF respects and values the autonomy of each chapter and its community-based advocacy of UN related issues. At the same time, all of the attendees to the meeting agreed that we are united in our desire to help educate our communities about the wonderfully ambitious goals of the UN, as embodied in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Chief among them is the aim to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. After all, what better reason to come together than to end poverty worldwide?

Together we can make a difference—locally, nationally, and globally. These are the common ends that bring us together, along with the belief that in today’s world, we must act both locally and globally to effect lasting and beneficial change. Through the United Nations and our grassroots efforts, we believe we can achieve these goals. Together, we do make a difference!

Yours in peace,

Gerri McNenny

President, UNA-USA Orange County Chapter