News

The Latest from UNA-NCA

February 24, 2022

Developing a UN Lens

By Mason Doyle, Program Assistant


On January 14, 2022, the Graduate Fellows Program (GFP) of the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) commenced its first session of the Spring 2022 program.

February 24, 2022

Closing Remarks by Paula Boland, UNA-NCA President and UNA-USA National Council Chair

Thank you Amb. Cousens for the kind introduction and for your effective leadership of the UN Foundation. It was great to see so many of our Youth Observers share their reflections and journeys, and to be reminded about the important role youth plays in shaping policies for a better and more sustainable future.

February 6, 2022

In Partnership with the Luminus Network for New Americans

By Mike Mitchell, Luminus CEO


The crisis we witnessed in Afghanistan last August is now upon us. Since then, countless people have wanted to help, but many months passed before Afghans reached the United States and many more before they started landing in our communities.

December 17, 2021

Equality in Human Rights

By Sasha Rose, Program Assistant


On the evening of December 8th, UNA-NCA held our annual Human Rights Award Ceremony. We were incredibly proud to honor four inspiring individuals and one organization, all committed to advancing and fighting for Human Rights.

December 6, 2021

Students at Fall 2021 Model UN Training Conference Address Lasting Effects of the Pandemic and Vaccine Access

By Sarah Basham, GCDC Development Assistant


On November 18th, Global Classrooms DC (GCDC), the flagship education program of the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA), held its annual Fall Model UN Training Conference in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). GCDC has been partnering with PAHO, the Latin American branch of the World Health Organization, for 18 years. Each fall, we host a training conference to introduce students in the DMV area to Model United Nations, where they adopt a nation and debate pressing global issues with other delegates.

December 3, 2021

Perdita Huston Human Rights Award Honoree

By Christian Gineste, UNA-NCA Human Rights Committee Co-Chair


Gayatri Patel is currently the Vice President of External Relations at the Women’s Refugee Commission. She has over two decades of experience in women’s rights and gender equality.

November 29, 2021

Louis B. Sohn Human Rights Award Honoree

By Anna Garbar, UNA-NCA Human Rights Committee Co-Chair


Professor Tandayi Achiume is a fierce advocate for Human Rights and has worked on many different projects over the years, addressing the unique challenges that different communities face. In our conversation we touched on the rights of migrants, incarcerated populations, racial discrimination and the role that institutions play in keeping the current, not so human rights focused, structures alive.

November 17, 2021

Event Coverage

By Sasha Rose, Program Assistant, UNA-NCA


On Wednesday, November 10th, The Human Rights Committee hosted a panel discussion on Combating Child Cobalt Mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sitting on the panel were three experts in the field, Cristina Duranti, Cristina Villegas, and Amayele Dia. Each of them shared their perspectives and stories of their work in combating this issue.

November 16, 2021

A Fireside Chat with Bushra Amiwla and Jordan Hibbs

By Brandi Murley, Program Officer, Young Professionals


On Tuesday, November 2nd, UNA-NCA’s Young Professionals (YP) Program hosted a virtual conversation, “Running for Local Office: A Fireside Chat with Bushra Amiwla and Jordan Hibbs.” This event welcomed current UNA-NCA members for an exclusive discussion on the importance of and practical advice on running for local office.

November 16, 2021

F. Allen "Tex" Harris Human Rights Diplomacy Award Honoree

By A. Edward Elmendorf, UNA-NCA Past President and Nakita Laiteng, UNA-NCA Human Rights Committee Member


Lynn Sicade, 2021 recipient of the UNA-NCA F. Allen "Tex" Harris Human Rights Diplomacy Award, sat with us for a virtual conversation about her experience and values. She explained that the inspiration for a career in human rights diplomacy came early in her experience as a Foreign Service Officer.

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