News
The Latest from UNA-NCA
The 2023 Graduate Fellows Program
By Olivia Hille, Graduate Fellows Program Coordinator
Our 2023 Graduate Fellows Program is kicking off with a number of exciting announcements, including a few special guests, special sessions, and a diverse mentor cohort that consists of both DC and international professionals.
Statement from The United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) on the Murder of Tyre Nichols
Within our community, we have felt sickened by the tragic murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee. While we support the swift action by city officials in the death of Nichols and subsequent civil rights investigation opened by the U.S. Department of Justice, the continued killings and police brutality in our nation demand accountability.
2022 Human Rights Awards Coverage
By Kaiila McEntee, Program Assistant
On the evening of December 9th, UNA-NCA held our annual Human Rights Awards Ceremony. We were incredibly proud to honor four inspiring individuals, all committed to advancing and fighting for Human Rights.
Apply Today!
Title: Advocacy & Digital Outreach Coordinator
Department: Advocacy
Part time position: 20-25 hours per week
Position Overview:
The Advocacy & Digital Outreach (ADO) Coordinator leads the development, execution, and evaluation of UNA-NCA’s advocacy work, and partners closely with member agencies and in numerous strategic collaborations to influence legislative and budget outcomes that strengthen the US relationship with the United Nations. This position serves as a liaison and overseer of the work of partners, including UNA-USA and the Better World Campaign of the UN Foundation, among others to ensure that priority positions and targeted local, state, and national advocacy outcomes are effectively achieved. The ADO Coordinator collaborates and coordinates across UNA-NCA departments to ensure advocacy priorities align with UNA-NCA’s strategic vision and the needs of its membership.
The role works closely with the UNA-NCA President, the Vice Chair of Advocacy, the Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs, and the communications team to ensure the strategic focus of UNA-NCA continues to address the needs and priorities of the National Capital Area.
UNA-NCA to Grant F. Allen “Tex” Harris Human Rights Diplomacy Award to Counselor for Economic Affairs, Embassy of the United States of America,
Rome, Italy
By A. Edward Elmendorf, Past President, UNA-NCA
By Jason Mack, Counselor for Economic Affairs, Embassy of the United States of America, Rome, Italy
UNA-NCA to Grant Perdita Huston Human Rights Award to Human Rights Activist and Founder of Kakenya's Dream
By Catey Vera, UNA-NCA Human Rights Committee ChairI had the honor of sitting down last month to speak to human rights champion Dr. Kakenya Ntaiya, founder and president of “Kakenya’s Dream,” a non-profit dedicated to educating girls in Kenya and ending harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation. We discussed her incredible story, her journey to human rights advocacy, and her hopes for the future.
UNA-NCA to Grant Emerging Human Rights Leader Award to Zimbabwean Scholar and Human Rights Activist
By A. Edward Elmendorf, Past President, UNA-NCAAt its annual celebration of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 9, UNA-NCA will honor Dr. Kelebogile Zvobgo as an Emerging Human Rights Leader. Her distinguished record of scholarship, media appearances, and advocacy make clear that Dr. Zvobgo is more than an emerging human rights leader: She is one already! Her name tells us a lot in the languages of Southern Africa: Kelebogile means “I am grateful'' in the Setswana language, and Zvobgo means “That which has always been” in the Shona language.
Louis B. Sohn Human Rights Award Honoree
By Catey Vera, UNA-NCA Human Rights Committee Co-Chair
I had the honor of sitting down last month with Yale Law’s Sterling Professor of International Law, Professor Harold Hongju Koh, to discuss his family, his journey to human rights advocacy, and his advice for the next generation of activists.
