BECAUSE we believe in the ideal of one world, in which nations coexist with mutual respect, in which nations protect the rights of their citizens, and in which people of different nations work together to solve the problems of all humankind; and

BECAUSE we affirm the democratic process not only within our congregations but also in society at large; and

WHEREAS the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has resolved repeatedly in recent years to support and strengthen the United Nations (UN);

WHEREAS UN agencies are involved in work such as health, environment, and economic development which is vital to the survival of humankind, and the UN has initiated and supported international agreements to promote peace and protect human rights;

WHEREAS the United States (US) government has not only failed to ratify some of these agreements but also failed to pay dues and assessments to the UN;

WHEREAS the UN has in place a program of volunteer specialists in technical fields which is of benefit to both those who serve and those who are served, and which might be enlarged into or supplemented by a "Peace Corps" type of organization; and

WHEREAS many citizens are poorly informed about the important work in which the UN is engaged;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UUA calls upon its member congregations, affiliated organizations, and individual Unitarian Universalists to induce their governments in the US and Canada to ratify, if not already done, each of the UN instruments for protection of human rights cited below insofar as the instrument does not conflict with the policies of the UUA on reproductive rights;*

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UUA urges the US to strengthen the International Court of Justice and the rule of international law by rescinding the Connally Amendment and submitting to the Court's jurisdiction on a continuing basis;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UUA urges the US government to make prompt and full payment of all monies owed by it to the UN and its agencies, and particularly to rejoin United Nations Educational Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and to resume full-share payment to the UN Population Fund;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UUA calls on its congregations and individual Unitarian Universalist to explore the possibility of supplementing the UN Volunteers program by a broad-scale "Peace Corps" type of organization which might include provision by sponsoring governments of post-service benefits such as college tuition, comparable to those earned by equivalent terms of military services;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UUA calls upon its member societies and individual Unitarian Universalists to advocate better education about the UN (its purpose, history, and programs) in their local schools and communities; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the UUA calls on individual Unitarian Universalists to become supporters of and educators for UN and calls on all member societies to support the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) by appointing a UU-UNO envoy, by observing UN Sundays, and by contributing financial support to the UU-UNO.

* Explanatory Note: As of June 1990 the following have been ratified by Canada but not by the US:

1. The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
2. The International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights;
3. The International Covenant on Economics, Social, and Cultural Rights;
4. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and
5. The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

   The following have not been ratified by either Canada or the US:

6. The Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity; and
7. The Convention on the Rights of the Child.