Who We Are
With the United Nations Headquarters an iconic part of our skyline, the United Nations Association of New York (UNA-NYC) is uniquely placed to advance the movement of Americans dedicated to supporting the UN.
We connect New Yorkers with the UN, raising public awareness of its work and the critical issues it confronts. Our fellowship and professional development programs empower students and young professionals who wish to support the UN in their careers. Through these activities and through strategic partnerships with other organizations, we work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the UN’s own backyard, here in New York City.
UNA-NYC is one of the largest and most active chapters of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA). Founded in 1943 and championed by Eleanor Roosevelt, UNA-USA has since 2010 been a program of the UN Foundation and is a member of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA). While UNA-NYC is a chapter of UNA-USA, we operate as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and secure our own funding through individual giving, sponsorships, and events.
Bringing the UN to you
Through our numerous public events, including lectures, panel discussions, and film screenings, UNA-NYC gives New Yorkers and people around the world the opportunity to engage with the United Nations and the critical global issues it works to solve. We give you the opportunity to:
Meet ambassadors, Special Rapporteurs, and other United Nations officials and hear about their work at the UN and its agencies
Hear international experts discuss and debate issues of global importance, from climate change to the Covid-19 pandemic
Watch hard-hitting films about pressing global issues and hear from their creators
Hear from award-winning authors from around the world as they discuss their works
Partnerships for the SDGs
The United Nations Association of New York partners with various other civil society groups, along with businesses, to help move New York and the world toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We collaborate in a variety of ways including:
Joint events, programs, and public engagement efforts, including
Connecting civil society organizations that work towards the SDGs with the UN
Fundraising for local organizations working towards the SDGs in New York City
Empowering Youth
The United Nations Association of New York offers young people numerous opportunities to get involved with the United Nations, including:
The Worldview Institute, UNA-NYC’s flagship professional development program
The Summer Scholars Fellowship, a fully funded summer internship program with UN agencies and NGOs
Yearly career events to help youth gain a professional foothold in the United Nations system and the broader field of international development