Come celebrate the season of giving with us! On Tuesday, December 1st, UNA-NCA and its Young Professionals Board of Directors are hosting a Happy Hour in honor of Giving Tuesday. Whether you're a UNA-NCA member or want to learn more about the organization, come join other young professionals to celebrate and recognize the importance of global engagement and giving back to causes you care about. While you're there, make sure to learn about upcoming events and leadership opportunities.

When: Tuesday, December 1, 2015; 5:30 - 7:00pm
Where: Irish Whiskey Public House; 1207 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Cost to Register: Free

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Ten years ago, Fashion Fights Poverty was the theme for a gala in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations. Since then, Fashion Fights Poverty has become transformed into an education and advocacy organization promoting eco-sustainable and ethical fashion through programs, workshops, and activities. This year, Fashion Fights Poverty, in partnership with UNA-NCA, will present a celebratory fashion show that will include:

• • Cocktail (open bar and Hors d'oeuvres) reception in an amazing setting
  • Unique and innovative runway presentation
  • Fashion Fights Poverty's celebration of 10 Years of Eco-Ethical Design and Social Awareness
  • Participation from Fashion Fights Poverty's Youth Programs
  • A celebration in partnership with the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) for the 70th anniversary of the United Nations
  • Complementary Valet Parking included

On November 11, UNA-NCA will join Fashion Fights Poverty for the annual Dress Responsibly Eco Ethical Fashion Forum. The program, in place since 2006, addresses and initiates discussion amongst leaders, policy makers, consumers, and fashion designers. The event will cover eco and ethical topics faced by the fashion industry at all levels (consumer, worker, manufacturing, etc.). Topics will include sustainability, social responsibility, micro-finance, worker's issues, and the international commercial fashion industry.

When: November 11, 2015; 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Where: Thomas Moser Furniture of Georgetown; 1028 33rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

Speakers: 

• • • Moderator: Susan McPherson, Founder and CEO, McPherson Strategies
    • Melanie Kapinos, Manager of Volunteer Programs, Ten Thousand Villages Alexandria
    • Heidi Rauch, Designer, Belabumbum

Additional panelists to be announced upon confirmation.

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On November 4, the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Alliance for Peacebuilding and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area will host Ambassador Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Kristalina Georgieva, European Commission Vice President for Budget and Human Resources,for a discussion on how to turn commitments of peace into action in today's global development assistance systems.

Recurring humanitarian crises, overstretched development programs, and tenuous peace processes - all occurring in fragile states - call for a united effort to nurture states and societies to address the issues that plague their countries. The inclusion of Global Goal 16 - to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies - in the new United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is an important achievement. The challenge now becomes translating that commitment into reality in systems and strategies for global development assistance.

This program will provide a forum for the Washington community to celebrate the achievements of the United Nations over 70 years, with a discussion on how the goals of the future will impact efforts toward sustainable peace.

Speakers:

• • • Ambassador Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
    • Kristalina Georgieva, Vice President for Budget and Human Resources, European Commission
    • Nancy Linborg, President, U.S. Institute of Peace

When: November 4, 2015, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Where: U.S. Institute of Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20037
Important information for guests attending events at USIP

Cost: Free!

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In honor of World Food Day, UDC’s Green Living Expo, and United Nations Day, Oxfam America Action Corps in Washington, DC hosted a film screening and panel discussion to discuss hunger, the human impact of climate change, and efforts to build resilience. Held on the 70^th Anniversary of the UN, the program celebrated the international organization’s landmark year and its recently adopted Global Goals for Sustainable Development. The program related to several of the Global Goals, including goal #2 (Zero Hunger), goal #13 (Climate Action), and goal #15 (Life on Land.)

Ms. Jodi-Kaye Wade from Oxfam America Action Corps in Washington, DC, presented opening remarks and discussed the importance of maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment. Following the introduction, an audience of over 100 people settled in to watch Dirt. The movie highlighted the importance of rich soil and how our current agricultural trends are destroying arable land and diminishing rainforests. Soil is one of the most important resources on Earth. Whether used for agriculture, planting trees and plants or simply housing organisms, soil is the root of the world’s ecological structure. However, without a drastic change in our approach to crop growth and soil treatment, future generations won’t have arable land to live off of. The film looked at what we can do to live cleaner and more sustainable lives.

The film was followed by a panel presentation by five experts from various fields, ranging from agriculture to climate change to environmental sustainability.

Speakers:

Ms. Jodi-Kaye Wade, Oxfam America Action Corps in Washington, DC (Welcome/Closing Remarks)

Dr. Jessica Fanzo, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies-International Development (Moderator)

Mr. David Hong, Global Senior Policy Analyst, One Acre Fund

Mr. Yao M. Afantchao, Ethnic Crop Development Specialist, University of the District of Columbia, College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Services

Dr. Jessica Felix-Romero, Director of Marketing and Outreach, Farmworker Justice

Ms. Margarita Diubanova, Strategy and Science Advisor, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Dr. Jessica Fanzo moderated the discussion, before each panelist spoke briefly on their field. At the end of the discussion, the panelists answered questions from the audience. David Hong spoke about One Acre Fund, a program that assists smallholder farmers by financing farm inputs, distributing seeds and fertilizer, and training agricultural techniques. Yao Afantchao spoke on the importance of food diversification. With his experience in ethnic foods and food production, his insight on diversifying crops brought a new perspective to agricultural trends. Jessica Felix-Romero talked about the current agriculture trends and its negative impact on farmers. She highlighted several suggestions for agricultural improvements for small business farmers here in the US. Margarita Diubanova shared her extensive knowledge on keeping rich soil and the importance of growing plants at vegetables locally. Jodi-Kaye Wade gave closing remarks and thanked the speakers, attendees and staff for putting on a great event.

UNA-NCA is thankful to Oxfam America Action Corps in Washington, DC for the opportunity to partner on this program and to celebrate the UN’s 70^th Anniversary and recently adopted Global Goals for Sustainable Development on UN Day.

View photos from the event on Oxfam’s Facebook page.

On September 25, 2015, the Global Goals for Sustainable Development were unanimously adopted by the United Nations at the 70th session of the General Assembly. Officially succeeding the 2000-2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the post-2015 agenda has committed to 17 sustainable development goals to fight against poverty, inequality, and climate change.

The October 27 program hosted by UNA-NCA will focus on the linkages and cross-overs between our local community needs in the US and international needs to address poverty in countries around the world.  A panel of outstanding experts on policy and program implementation with experience in US communities and global settings will be looking how the Global Goals for Sustainable Development address issues of poverty, human rights, violence, and climate needs, among other key issues, at the local and global level.

This program is organized by the UNA-NCA Sustainable Development Goals Task Force co-chaired by Stephen Moseley and A. Edward Elmendorf. Come and learn more about the 2030 Global Goals and discuss how the international community, and each of our local communities, can succeed in implementing this ambitious agenda, and how you can engage in this endeavor.

When: October 27, 2015, 3:00pm - 5:30pm

Where: The George Washington University’s Marvin Center, Room 307, 800 21st Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20052

Keynote remarks will be made by Tony Pipa, Special Coordinator for the Post-2015 Development Agenda, US Department of State.

Speakers will include:

• • Ambassador Elizabeth Cousens (Ret.)  (moderator) - Deputy Chief Executive Officer, UN Foundation
  • Dr. Karen Byrnes - Manager, Global Giving Accounts and Business Development, TOMS
  • Dr. Mary Futrell - Dean Emeritus and Professor, Graduate School of Education and Human Development, GWU, and former President of the National Education Association
  • Ms. Asma Lateef - Director, Bread for the World Institute
  • Mr. Bruce McNamer - President and Chief Executive Officer, Community Foundation for the National Capital Region
  • Dr. Patricia T. Morris - President, Women Thrive Worldwide
  • Ms. Jenny Russell - Director of Global Development Policy and Advocacy, Save the Children

Cost: Members - Free; Nonmembers – $10
Students aged 25 and under are eligible for free membership!
 

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