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Written piece by Sia Nowrojee, Associate Vice President, Girls & Women Strategy, UN Foundation
I turned 18 at the NGO Forum of the Third World Conference on Women in Nairobi in 1985. It was a spectacular coming of age.The Conference brought the global women’s movement to Africa, and African girls and women into the movement. I was part of a secondary school delegation of Kenyan girls who wanted more for ourselves and our sisters and somewhere to demand that. The NGO Forum of the Conference, hosted at the University of Nairobi, provided that space.
Written piece by Oscar Lopez III
My year as the UNA-USA Youth Observer to the United Nations has been one shaped by the young people I met who refuse to accept the world as it is and insist on building the world as it should be.Serving in this role deepened a belief I’ve carried since childhood: meaningful change is born in community. It grows in the classrooms where students turn frustration into organizing, in the city halls where young leaders push for justice, and in the quiet conversations that remind us we’re not alone in our hopes for something better. Throughout the year, from San Diego to Boston to UCLA and beyond, I witnessed a generation that understands both the urgency of the moment and the power of collective action.
Book Talk With Sunitha Krishnan
On November 10 at UNA-NCA headquarters, Sunitha Krishnan, a former UNA-NCA Perdita Huston Human Rights Award Honoree, shared her journey and insights from her book I Am What I Am. Her powerful memoir of her fight against sex trafficking in India deeply moved attendees. Her story reflects the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of one individual to spark change against overwhelming odds.2025 United Nations 80th Anniversary Gala
On Saturday, October 25th the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) celebrated eight remarkable decades of global cooperation, hope, and determination. An unforgettable evening at the Embassy of France in the United States brought together thought leaders and change makers from different sectors under the theme “United for a Better Future.” It was an evening centered on reflection, a shared commitment to progress, and a sincere appreciation for the work that lies ahead.
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On September 17, UNA-NCA hosted a thought-provoking book discussion on the evolving role and future of U.S. NGOs, featuring Sam Worthington, author of "Prisoners of Hope: Global Action and the Evolving Roles of U.S. NGOs". Worthington was interviewed by UNA-NCA Advisory Council Co-Chair Gayatri Patel.UNA-NCA Annual Membership Meeting 2025
By Allison Webber, UNA-NCA Program Assistant
The 2025 UNA-NCA Annual Membership Meeting was a vibrant and deeply engaging gathering that united a diverse community of members, partners, youth leaders, diplomats, educators, and advocates. It served as both a celebration of past achievements and a strategic space to reflect on the role of multilateralism in a world marked by uncertainty and transformation. Hosted by the United Nations Foundation and UNA-USA, the meeting took place in Washington, D.C. and was underscored by gratitude for the enduring commitment of the community to the United Nations and the critical need to sustain its partnership with the United States.
Summary of Women in Peacebuilding Panel Discussion
By Mary Capone, UNA-NCA Program Assistant
On May 22, 2025, the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area hosted a compelling webinar to discuss the current state of international peacebuilding and the integral role of women in peace negotiations. The panel discussion was moderated by Kim Weichel, former UNA-NCA Advisory Council Chair and CEO of Weichel & Associates. She was joined by three distinguished panelists: Liz Hume, Executive Director at Alliance for Peacebuilding; Mariam Jalabi, Co-Founder of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement; and Katherine Marshall, Senior Fellow at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, and Professor of the Practice of Development, Religion, and Conflict in the School of Foreign Service. The panelists convened to discuss a pressing matter in the international community: the integration of local women into peacebuilding.
Highlights from the 2025 Global Classrooms DC Spring Conference
By Himaja Balusa, Global Education Manager
On Tuesday, April 29th the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area’s (UNA-NCA) flagship global education program, Global Classrooms DC, hosted its 21st annual Spring Model UN Conference in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Organization Affairs. Over 400 students, educators, and guests convened for a day of debate and diplomacy.
Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations
By Nadjad Nikabou-Salifou, Co-Chair of the Young Professionals' CommitteeOn March 27, 2025, the UNA-NCA Young Professionals (YP) Program hosted speakers from diverse backgrounds — spanning various career levels and industries — with the aim of uplifting and inspiring future generations. This in-person event focused on both the achievements and unexpected career changes, emphasizing perseverance and fostering resiliency. Through lessons learned and challenges they’ve overcome, the speakers of this event highlighted the power of mentorship, education, and leadership in driving progress. The event primarily consisted of a moderated fireside chat, followed by audience members’ questions directed towards panelists, and concluded with a networking reception.
UNA-NCA’s Sustainable Development Committee Hosts Panel on Local Action and the UN Global Goals
By Mary Capone, Program Assistant
On April 2, 2025 the UNA-NCA Sustainable Development Committee hosted a Climate Justice Symposium featuring three guest speakers: Erin Garnaas-Holmes, a climate program analyst for the DC Department of Energy and Environment; John Paul “JP” Moscarella, Founder of Resilient Earth Capital and Founder and Managing Director at CoolPact Capital Advisor; and Christopher E. Williams, President and CEO at Anacostia Watershed Society. Caroline Sorge, Co-Chair of the Sustainable Development Committee, moderated the event to explore the current state of climate justice and how local, state, and federal actions can advance equitable sustainability through participation in the UN Global Goals at Home program. The objective of the event was to increase public understanding and active advocacy for UN priorities, including sustainable development, climate adaptation and resilience, and contextualization of progress towards achieving the SDGs across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
