ADVOCACY IS ONE OF OUR PRIMARY FUNCTIONS. UNA-USA chapters and individual members are encouraged to undertake activities that demonstrate to elected officials in Washington the strong local level support that exists across the country for an active US leadership role in the United Nations. This section of the UNA-USA website, www.unausa.org, contains information that can help you be an effective advocate for the United Nations in your community and among the policy-makers that shape US-UN relations. UNA-USA uses the E-Action Network to alert members and other UN supporters via e-mail when action is needed on important UN issues. The E-Action Network allows users to "take action" quickly and easily by providing them with a sample letter which they can personalize and send to their elected officials by fax or regular mail. You can go on the above website and subscribe to the E-Action Network. It’s free!

Advocacy Agenda 2008

In pursuit of our mission to educate, inspire and mobilize Americans to support the principles and vital work of the United Nations, UNA-USA has identified four priority areas as the focus of its advocacy program for 2008. These four advocacy priorities present opportunities for strengthening the United Nations, enhancing US leadership at the world body, and advancing US national interests through UN-led collective action. This Advocacy Agenda was developed through a consultative process involving various UNA-USA constituencies and was approved by the Board of Directors of UNA-USA National in December 2008. The 2008 Advocacy Agenda consists of the following four priority issues:

• Abiding by International Rule of Law
• Supporting Human Rights
• Constructive U.S. Participation in the UN Climate Change Framework
• Paying Our Fair Share at the UN

Although this agenda is not intended to exclude other important issues—and additional issues not on the agenda will be taken up throughout the year, as warranted—it does serve to define and focus the Association’s advocacy program. In this regard, the national office’s work with chapters and divisions, the Council of Organizations, the National Council, and NGO coalitions, will all be guided by the Advocacy Agenda. This will include the content of various advocacy materials, such as fact sheets, talking points, action alerts, and informational articles, as well as individualized outreach efforts and the coordination of congressional office visits. The UNA-USA Washington office works in close partnership with the Association’s different constituencies—such as chapters and divisions, the National Council, and the Council of Organizations—in implementing the 2008 Advocacy Agenda. In this regard, UNA-USA constituencies are strongly encouraged to direct their advocacy efforts in accordance with the priority issues listed on the Agenda, to the greatest extent practicable.