We are excited to announce that this year's Volunteer Awards will be presented to:

 

 

 

Thank you for your interest in joining us.  Unfortunately, registration for this event is now closed.

Sustainable access to clean water is a major challenge for the Haitian population. According to USAID Haiti, only 58% of Haitians have access to an improved water source and only 28% of Haitians have access to improved sanitation. The 2010 cholera epidemic have caused nearly 10,000 deaths. In October 2016, following Hurricane Matthew, the number of suspected cholera cases rose to about 40,000. The lack of access to potable water and improved sanitation services have led to high levels of diarrhea and other infections among the population.

The panel discussion will focus on the response to the cholera epidemic and ongoing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects in Haiti. The panel will feature representatives from Non-Profit Organizations (NGOs) involved in clean water projects in Haiti. 

Speakers: 

Farah Faroul (Moderator), UNA-NCA Sustainable Development Committee
Dr. Maryse Pierre-Louis, Former Public Health Cluster Leader, Health Nutrition and Population Central Department, The World Bank Group
Charissa Zehr, Legislative Associate for International Affairs, Mennonite Central Committee U.S.
Skyler Badenoch, Chief Executive Officer, Hope for Haiti 
Jeffery Sejour, Treasurer, International Action

When: Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018 from 5:00 pm to 8:00pm 
Where: University of the District of Columbia Law School - Moot Court Room, 4340 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Cost: Members & Students: FREE | Non-Members: $10
*Students, please email unanca@unanca.org to redeem discount code 

• Heather Hill (moderator), Chair, UNA-NCA Human Rights Committee
• Rachel Moynihan, Advocacy & Communications Specialist,  UN Population Fund - DC Office (UNFPA)

• Elisabeth Olds, Expert Consultant, The DC Sexual Assault Victims Rights Act (SAVRAA)

• Rachel Friedman, Deputy Director, Men Can Stop Rape
• Lindsey Silverberg, Director of Advocacy & Case Management, Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC)

About the Program

Created to elevate youth voices in the global policy dialogue, the U.S. Youth Observer to the UN is a role appointed annually by the U.S. Department of State and UN Association of the USA. For a one-year term, an American between the ages of 18-25 is selected to engage young people in the U.S. in the work of the United Nations and international issues. 

As a correspondent between U.S. missions to the UN and American youth, the Youth Observer travels throughout the United States to discover the issues important to young Americans and participates at international organization meetings.

The most critical role of the Youth Observer is to engage young Americans in the work of the UN, empowering them to be active participants in dialogue on international issues and to have a global impact. The Youth Observer will travel to high schools and colleges across the nation to build a connection between the UN and young Americans. 

    

Are you the next Youth Observer?

Do you have what it takes to be the next U.S. Youth Observer to the UN? We are looking for a dynamic and internationally-engaged young American to fill the role for the 2018-2019 year. Qualified individuals are:

• Talented writers, capable of digesting lots of information and quickly turning around blog posts to inform other youth. 
• Team players, willing to work with multiple stakeholders to tell the story of the UN.
• Intellectually curious and able to have meaningful conversations with high-level individuals.
• Experienced public speakers who are enthusiastic about engaging with young Americans. 
• Digitally engaged and tech-savvy, with a knack for communicating online in creative and effective ways.
• Passionate and entrepreneurial about civic engagement, youth issues, and the United Nations.
• Interested in international affairs and passionate about solving today’s most pressing problems.

Eligibility Criteria:

Qualified candidates must be:

• U.S. citizens, ages 18-25
• Able to commit at least five to ten hours per week to the position, excluding travel, which will consume additional time. 
• Eager to collaborate with UNA-USA and Department of State staff, staying in close communication throughout the year.
• Available to travel nationally and internationally (travel and reasonable lodging costs associated with participation as U.S. Youth Observer will be provided). 
• Willing to participate in social media and in-person media events hosted by UNA-USA and the U.S. Department of State.
• Capable of quickly producing high-quality blog posts and other social media content based on her/ his experiences as the Youth Observer.
• Currently unaffiliated with the UN Foundation, UNA-USA, and Department of State as a staff member, intern, or consultant. 

Past Youth Observers

Follow the adventures of current and past Youth Observers here, and learn more about the day-to-day of the position. 

• Catch up with Brooke Loughrin, 2012-2013 Youth Observer, here. 
• See how Tiffany Taylor, 2013-2014 Youth Observer, learned to approach courage differently. 
• Find out what Jackson Dougan took away from his term as the 2014-2015 Youth Observer. 
• Donya Nasser's travels as Youth Observer took her around the world as the 4th Youth Observer. Read about her "Roman Tour for Gender Equality".
• Nicol Perez met with youth delegates from other countries to discuss youth unemployment and youth entrepreneurship at the ECOSOC Youth Forum. 
• Munira Khalif, the most recent Youth Observer, championed education for women and girls and met with female business owners in Hyderabad, India.

In 2000, Ms. Naraghi-Anderlini was among the civil society drafters of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. In 2011, Ms. Naraghi-Anderlini was the first Senior Expert on Gender and Inclusion on the UN's Mediation Standby Team. She provides guidance and training to senior personnel in UN agencies, governments and NGOs worldwide, and has worked in conflict affected countries globally, including leading assessments in Maoist cantonments in Nepal. 

When: 
Saturday, April 14, 2018
5:00 pm Networking Reception
7:00 pm Dinner 

Where: 
United Nations Foundation
1750 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20006 

Cost: 
$45 for members (*Students under the age of 25 are eligible for this price)
$55 for non-members 
$65 for non-members with UNA-NCA membership 

Keynote
Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, Co-founder and Executive Director of International Civil Society Action Network.

Dinners 
Professional speakers in each of these topics will offer career advice and guidance, and share personal stories of experience in their particular fields. Attendees are encouraged to ask specific or general questions about the field, and engage in conversation in a uniquely intimate and comfortable setting. 
To register, click on the dinner topic you are interested in.
Each dinner has its own length program please be advised that you are only allowed to register for one dinner. 

Register Here!

Can't join us in person?  Excited to announce we will be livestreaming tonight's event!  Click here to join us virtually!

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meets each year at the UN for two weeks in March. This year the theme is Achieving Gender equality and the Empowerment of Rural women and Girls. Government representatives meet to share their countries' progress towards gender equality, and thousands of NGO leaders from all over the world meet simultaneously to share programs, projects, and successes around the theme.

We invite you to attend a panel of CSW participants who will share their highlights from the wide range of sessions held over the two week period.

Lyric Thompson, Moderator

Helena Minchew, Program Officer, International Women's Health Coalition