Connecting Globally, Locally

Established in 1953, UNA-NCA is one of the oldest and largest chapters of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) and a member of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA). In 2010, the UN Foundation and UNA-USA announced that they formed a strategic alliance to strengthen the U.S.-UN relationship.

With the support of more than 2,000 members, volunteers, and supporters in the greater Washington area, UNA-NCA works to build public knowledge, strengthen U.S.-UN relations, and aid the UN in achieving its goals.

Advocacy

Our members seek to inform elected officials, particularly Congress and legislative staff, about global issues, and support ratification of essential treaties and resolutions that advance the goals of the UN charter.

Education

UNA-NCA is committed to furthering awareness of the UN in the Washington, DC area. The Global Classrooms program is a curriculum resource with supported conferences and trainings that allow students to step into the shoes of world decision-makers. This commitment extends to our Graduate Fellows Program, which helps exceptional graduate students develop an understanding of UN issues, policies, and organizations while assisting them in preparing for global careers and view the world through a UN lense.

Outreach

With a diverse membership with deep and wide-ranging experience and backgrounds, UNA-NCA hosts virtual coffee chats, workshops, and conferences, as well as member-driven programs on the United Nations and related foreign policy issues. The chapter partners with local organizations and stakeholders in the community to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Networking

UNA-NCA brings together residents in DC, Maryland, and Virginia with a united vision of bettering our world. Regardless of age, there are opportunities to share, learn, and connect. Our Young Professionals (UNA-NCA YP) program is a premiere opportunity to gain career experience and connect with others.

Driven by a grassroots approach, a passion to make a difference, and a deep and unique history shaped by diverse perspectives, UNA-NCA provides unique value to the Washington, DC area, supporting global engagement.

Creating Global Citizens

Mission

Serving the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, UNA-NCA strives to:

• Increase public understanding and support of the United Nations.
• Encourage constructive US leadership in strengthening the United Nations.
• Prepare present and future leaders to work for a better world, both globally and locally.

Vision

As a steward of our local community, our nation, and our interconnected world, we need to think globally and act locally.

• A public fully aware of the benefits of global cooperation through the UN in partnership with civil society and the private sector.
• Tomorrow's leaders well prepared to work through the UN for a better world.
• Opinion-makers and policy-makers fully informed and committed to US leadership to improve the effectiveness of the United Nations.

Strategic Plan

Independently incorporated in 1953, the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) is the largest and most active of 120 chapters of UNA-USA, a program of the UN Foundation.

The successes of UNA-NCA are attributable to the dedication of a small staff and an enthusiastic and hardworking cadre of volunteers and supporters.

UNA-NCA's 2014-2016 Strategic Plan (.pdf) provides a roadmap that will enable UNA-NCA to prioritize the activities that advance our core mission, to increase our financial and staffing capacity to respond to unmet demand for the UN-related programs we uniquely provide, to promote synergies among the students, young professionals, and experienced leaders who constitute our membership, to achieve greater efficiencies and coordination among the many program activities we offer, and to expand our reach through partnerships with other internationally-focused organizations in the national capital area that share common objectives.

From the President and Board Chair

Dear Members and Supporters, In a year marked by immense domestic and global challenges, we remain inspired by your incredible work bridging global engagement with community involvement here in the National Capital Area.

The United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) community uniquely brings together people from different backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives who are united in building a better world. The world is rapidly changing, and our institutions struggle to keep pace. But if the past year has taught us anything, it’s that this community is resilient. From seeing the work of the human rights champions to opening a new world of global engagement for local students, you all have played a role in strengthening our mission and building the next generation of leaders.

UNA-NCA is uniquely positioned in the Nation’s Capital as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization open to all who care about our nation’s role in the United Nations. Our membership includes professionals and leaders working to strengthen the multilateral system. We are proud to have an intergenerational membership and bring the best of our foreign affairs community to engage and mentor younger generations. Through our programming, like Global Classrooms Model UN, the Young Professionals Program, and the Graduate Fellows Program, we support high school students, university students, and early-career professionals with the tools to become engaged global citizens.

Together, we connect the global with the local. Our members, across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, have come to count on UNA-NCA to deliver services that educate, encourage, and advocate for a strong United Nations.

Sincerely,

Paula Boland 
President

Anne-Simmons-Benton
Chair, Board of Directors

Meet Our Volunteer Leaders

African Affairs Committee

Tanishia Bailey, Lydia Daniels

DC for CEDAW

Karen Mulhauser

Human Rights Committee

Alex Remmel, Luciana Vosniak

International Law Committee

Renee Dopplick

Peace and Security Committee

Ryan Brenner, Abbey Ogunwale

Sustainable Development Committee

Keegan Mobley, Caroline Sorge

Young Professionals
Nadjad Nikabou Salifou, Lanice Williams