Poll: Americans Want Strong U.S. Relationship with the United Nations
Many Americans seem to be understanding the message which Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University's Earth Institute delivered at this year's UNA-USA annual members meeting: "There isn't an alternative to the UN. Either this works, or the world fails."
New bipartisan polling data released today by the United Nations Foundation and the Better World Campaign, demonstrates that across party lines, the majority of American voters support a strong relationship between the United States and the United Nations. More than 8 in 10 American voters say it is important for the U.S. to maintain an active role in the UN, and 64 percent of those polled favor the U.S. paying its dues on time and in full, including majorities of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats.
"Our network of Chapters works every day to make sure that their friends, neighbors, and elected officials know the real story, that there is strong support for U.S. engagement at the United Nations," said Patrick Madden, Executive Director of UNA-USA. "Despite a wealth of misinformation about Americans' views on the UN, this polling shows that people in the United States care about the UN and its impact."
Key highlights of the research, conducted by noted bipartisan firms Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research Associates, include:
93% believe it is important for the U.S. to be a member of the World Health Organization
75% value U.S. funding to UN peacekeeping operations
89% believe the U.S. should be supportive of UN programs that improve the health care, education, livelihood, and rights for women and girl
81% think it is important for the U.S. to be involved in efforts to stop child marriage in poor, developing countries.
Read more here and see the full polling results.
All UNA-NYC members are encouraged to use these new poll numbers to tell your local media, community leaders and elected representatives that American voters care about — and support — U.S. engagement with the UN. Use these talking points to discuss the polling at your local events, and this template press release can be used to help your information outreach to your local media.
Thank you UNA-NYC members — for all that you do to support the UN and its work to make a better world!
Learn more about the polling results and watch a video about the results from UN Foundation Vice President of Public Policy, Peter Yeo.