Program Committees
African Affairs Committee
Lydia Daniels, Tanishia BaileyThrough a series of lectures, meetings, and recreational activities, the African Affairs Committee supports the principles of the UN and promotes interaction among those interested in African affairs. More importantly, we strive to educate and empower the members of the association as well as the general community about issues pertinent to the African continent by addressing the educational, cultural, political, and social issues affecting Africa.
Our main goal is to bring together professionals in the DC area who are interested in the prosperity and development of Sub-Saharan Africa. The Committee is also a great opportunity for networking for professionals with ties to Sub-Saharan Africa.
DC for CEDAW
Karen MulhauserThe UNA-NCA Board voted on February 10th, 2015 to form an ad hoc committee for the purpose of supporting citywide legislation, which embraces the principles of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women. (CEDAW). On March 3rd 2015, Councilmember David Grosso introduced the legislation. Unfortunately, there was not a hearing and a vote before the 2015/2016 legislative session ended. We are working to have it introduced again and will continue educating and advocating for a hearing before the DC Council Judiciary Committee and a vote this session.
Several organizations have joined UNA-NCA as Supporting Organizations and UNA-NCA is continuing to recruit additional partners to encourage the DC Council to support the legislation and help bring gender equality to the Nation’s Capital. If you are a member of an organization that would like to support this effort, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Human Rights Committee
Leila Hanafi, Kate LovasThe Human Rights Committee organizes events to promote the work of the UN and advocate for strong human rights protections, specifically those outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Volunteers on the committee strive to educate, engage, and lead the community in creating meaningful conversations about these issues and to inspire action.
Each December, the committee hosts an annual Awards reception to commemorate Human Rights Day. This celebration of human rights champions recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations to the human rights field.
Some other ways committee members advocate for these issues is by lobbying members of congress, writing blogs, conducting research and signing-on to coalition letters. Through these tactics, the Human Rights Committee is able to shine a spotlight on challenging topics that can’t be ignored.
The Human Rights Committee is committed to diversity in opinions, age, gender, professional background, cultural background and more. All UNA-NCA Members who are committed to the promotion of human rights are welcome
International Law Committee
Renee Dopplick, Leila HanafiThe International Law Committee focuses on trends and recent developments in public and private international law, compliance with international treaties and obligations, and the promotion of the rule of law. Our committee provides expertise to support UNA-NCA activities and policy recommendations related to international law, human rights, humanitarian affairs, and U.S. policies at the United Nations. Our activities include educational programs, publications, special projects, networking, and outreach.
Peace and Security Committee
David M. Luna, Abbey OgunwaleThe Peace and Security Committee is dedicated to promoting the core principles of the UN: conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding efforts. Through a series of innovative programs and events the committee’s membership is aimed at elevating the awareness of past, present, and future initiatives, while working to develop relevant policy recommendations to further strengthen the United States’ key role in supporting UN collective security efforts, including multidimensional peace operations at the country-level.
Sustainable Development Committee
Luciana VosniakThe Sustainable Development Committee (SDC) is focused on educating and promoting awareness of issues covering economic, environmental, and social justice sustainability and the role of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The events that the committee organizes cover different issues from all corners of the globe ranging from regions such as the Central American Northern Triangle to South Sudan. Our committee members have an opportunity to engage in the event planning process as well as being able to publish work with UNA-NCA.
Young Professionals
Lanice Williams, Nadjad Nikabou SalifouThe Young Professionals (YP) Program offers opportunities to interact with like-minded individuals and gives young professionals a unique forum in which to learn more about current international issues, the UN, and the work of UNA-NCA. The YP program fosters organic mentoring and professional development opportunities for all members of UNA-NCA through programming and collaboration with UNA-NCA committees.
Standing Committees
We also have opportunities for volunteers to serve on one of our standing committees.Advocacy Committee
Gayatri PatelUNA-NCA’s advocacy efforts are focused around a core program of visits by our members to Senate and Congressional offices on Capitol Hill. These efforts are coupled with sustained follow-up to increase the chances of effectiveness in order to “educate, mobilize and inspire Americans to support the principles and vital work of the United Nations, to strengthen the United Nations system, and to press for constructive United States leadership in that system.” Our advocacy efforts focus on Congressional funding for UN peacekeeping, UN dues, and US foreign assistance related to the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. We also advocate on other UN-related issues depending on the interest and participation of our members, and we work with other UNA-NCA committees and task forces to increase the effectiveness of their advocacy.
Communications
Adam WolfUNA-NCA’s communications committee is supported by ad-hoc volunteers with communications experience as well as various committee representatives who share and support the communications needs to further chapter programmatic work. From contributing and curating content on the chapter’s website and blog to designed strategic communications plans to advance the chapter’s efforts and initiatives, communications is at the center of connecting the community with our work.
Finance
Brian HeilmanSound and steady financial planning is key to any nonprofit, and our finance committee is a critical component of ensuring a sustainable future for the organization. This includes regular bookkeeping, annual auditing, and quarterly and annual reporting.
Governance
Sultana AliGovernance is key to maintaining strong leadership support and effective board governance, and this committee supports that work through effective means. That includes annual evaluations, board governance documentation, strategic planning, and much more.
Investment
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Safeguarding our financial investments is important to stewardship of the chapter’s future. Our thoughtful team of volunteers maintains a robust portfolio of investment, providing strategic guidance and making thoughtful recommendations to leverage the valued contributions of our donors and sponsors.
Membership
Kristen Cordell, Destiny ClementsUNA-NCA’s Membership Committee offers individuals who are already members of UNA-NCA, the opportunity to increase awareness of and membership to our organization! Committee members serve as official representatives of UNA-NCA, connecting individuals to UNA-NCA’s mission at every point of the membership experience. From promoting UNA-NCA to new audiences, to welcoming new members over a cup of coffee, to sharing upcoming events and opportunities with existing members, committee members serve as a resource for knowledge about the organization, membership benefits, and ways to get involved. Aside from membership in UNA-NCA, no special background or expertise is required -- only the willingness to engage, connect with people, and advocate on behalf of UNA-NCA to prospective, new, and longtime members alike!
