News
The Latest from UNA-NCA
April 13, 2020
By Richard Seifman, Independent Health Policy Consultant and UNA-NCA Board MemberIt is unfortunate that your newspaper-in editorials and opinion pieces- has chosen this time of national crisis to point out what you perceive as political behavior by the global technical agency that struggles to deal with infectious diseases in an increasingly polarization world, with a Governing Board that brings their displeasure without bringing the resources to allow it to measure up to the challenge. Exhibit A: Forbes on April 8th points out that the Trump Administration’s most recent budget requested a reduction in the World Health Organization (WHO) U.S. assessed financial contributions from $122.6 million to an assessed contribution of $57.9 million. This is more than 50% and before significant recognition of the covid19 threat across the country.
April 7, 2020
By Shayna Vayser, UNA-NCA Advocacy AssociateOn April 7, UNA-NCA membership rallied for a World Health Advocacy Day of Digital Action. As our community has come to understand, the steady regression of US leadership in the United Nations has made it all the more difficult for member states to effectively collaborate in the global response to COVID-19.
March 31, 2020
Dear UNA-NCA Community,I hope this email finds you well and adjusting to this unprecedented time and new way of living. The past few weeks have certainly been very challenging for all and many have been struggling in our community, the country and the world. The messages shared on several platforms have been encouraging and brought a sense of global unity in the face of adversity.
March 19, 2020
Dear UNA-NCA leaders,I trust you are well and keeping safe. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique and unforeseen challenges for us leaders and the people and communities we serve. It is a scary time, both as we work to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, and as we work to navigate organizational questions about how we will proceed in the coming days, weeks, and months.
March 12, 2020
We have received a number of questions/concerns regarding the ongoing COVID-19 developments, and how it may affect our programming and operations this spring. We want you to know that we are closely monitoring any updates on the COVID-19 disease. We are coordinating with and following the guidance of our partners and event hosts, including the UN Foundation, U.S. Department of State, and Pan American Health Organization (the regional branch of the World Health Organization for the Americas.)
February 20, 2020
By Calypso Moschochoritis, UNA-NCA Program AssistantThe UNA-NCA Graduate Fellows Program has finally begun its 2020 session. The program focuses on current key global issues as they are faced by United Nations agencies. The mission of the program is to foster an understanding of UN issues, policies, and organizations and prepare the fellows for UN-related careers. The fellows meet once a week with experts in the UN, sustainability, conflict management, and more.
February 12, 2020
Earlier this week, the administration proposed a budget for 2021 that drastically slashes global accounts by upwards of 22%. UN-related accounts were even more heavily targeted: contributions to UN peacekeeping activities, for example, would be cut by 29% from FY’20; an account that finances U.S. dues payments for the UN Regular Budget and a plethora of UN specialized agencies would be slashed by more than 34%; and a key account that provides voluntary contributions to UNICEF, UNDP, OHCHR, and a number of other UN programs would be eliminated entirely. In addition, as the Wuhan Coronavirus continues its rapid spread across the globe, the Administration’s budget also slashes funding for Global Health Programs by 34% compared to what Congress provided last year.
February 11, 2020
On January 23, the African Affairs Committee held a health forum to discuss strategies for investing in global health preparedness in Africa.
February 10, 2020
A Conversation with U.N. Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo
By Kathie Bolognese, Sustainable Development CommitteeHow well is the global community committed to peace and security tackling today’s unprecedented challenges of conflict and violence? What global action can be taken to resolve the world’s most intractable conflicts in this era of rapid technological change and fraying traditional alliances?
To answer these questions, the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area and the Stimson Center, Alliance for Peacebuilding partnered together with the U.S. Institute of Peace on the morning of January 29,2020 to host a timely discussion on the future of the multilateral system. The program featured an in-depth conversation with keynote speaker U.N. Undersecretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, the highest-ranking American currently serving at the United Nations and the first woman to hold the position.
January 22, 2020
Global Classrooms DC has accomplished an enormous amount in the first half of the 2019-2020 school year. Our Fall 2019 Model UN Training Conference was a massive success, and we were able to hit capacity for the event a full month before registration closed – a first for the GCDC program. You can click here to learn more about our signature fall conference.
