Get Involved with the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office

Commemorate our 50th Anniversary!

This year we are celebrating fifty years of Unitarian Universalist (UU) service at the United Nations (UN). We encourage congregations to have a multigenerational party to commemorate our global human rights work. We celebrated our 50th Anniversary by having a Fall Gala in New York City on November 3rd, 2012. Please check out our photos on Facebook.

• Learn more about our history at the United Nations
• Celebrate the groundbreaking work of the UU-UNO and its trailblazing leaders, donate to our 50th anniversary fund.
• Our commemorative video is available for viewing in the Multimedia box on this page, or contact the office if you would like your very own DVD!
• Contact: United Nations Office unitednations @ uua.org

Become an Envoy

Envoys represent the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) within their congregation. They work to give their congregation a voice at the United Nations and distribute important information on current UN and UU-UNO activities. They plan events in their congregation to promote our global justice programs. Envoys must be 14 or older and we encourage envoy teams. Envoys are extremely valuable to the UU-UNO because they are the link between the office and the global UU community. Make sure your congregation has an envoy—a connection to the United Nations.

• Website: UU-UNO Envoy Program
• Contact: Envoy Outreach Coordinator: unitednations @ uua.org

Come to our Intergenerational Spring Seminar

Every April, youth and adults from around North America gather in New York City for our exciting and educational Intergenerational Spring Seminar. All participants gain a deep understanding on a topic of global concern in a fun intergenerational environment. Past seminars have focused on poverty, HIV, human trafficking, peacekeeping, and climate change. This year’s topic is Empowerment of Women. During these four days, approximately seventy-five youth and youth advisors stay at one of our Manhattan-based UU congregations while learning, connecting with others, organizing and mobilizing. Not only do youth attend the conference, but many also take on important leadership roles in its planning and execution.  Our 2013 Spring Seminar will be April 4th-6th (with youth arriving on the 3rd) and our title is Sex, Love, and Violence: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in a Globalized World. Contact our office for more information on how to participate in the next spring seminar! 

• Website: Intergenerational Spring Seminar
• Contact: United Nations Office: unitednations @ uua.org

Intern at the UU-UNO

Our internship program provides young people an exciting opportunity to learn about the United Nations and to work in support of UN efforts to eradicate injustice, and promote human rights around the world. Interns working at the UU-UNO conduct research, participate in conferences and write for our various written and online publications distributed all over North America. The talent and cultural diversity of our interns are evident in their written articles, video documentaries and online posts. Their contributions are invaluable to our office.

• Website: UU-UNO Internships
• Contact: United Nations Office: unitednations @ uua.org

Have a UN Sunday

Every year, the UU-UNO invites congregations and individual UUs to deepen their understanding of the United Nations by devoting one service each October to reaffirm the connections between UU principles and the vital issues dealt with at the UN.

The theme for each year follows that of the Intergenerational Spring Seminar. The 2012 UN Sunday was Race and Immigration. Our 2013 Spring Seminar will focus on stopping violence and discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI). Congregations may choose to either use our prepared materials that can be tailored to their own needs or create their own. Often, a UU-UNO Envoy or special UN-related speaker presents the sermon. We encourage children and youth to participate in the service as well. Many congregations dedicate a Sunday offering to support their work at the UN through the UU-UNO.

• Website: UN Sunday
• Resource: UN Sunday Resource Packet
• Submit your UN Sunday sermon for a chance to win our Dana Greeley Award

UN Religious Education

The UU-UNO has a Religious Education packet titled: “UN Me.” Please share this information with your Religious Education committee and help our children expand their knowledge of international affairs!

• Website: UN Me Curriculum

Blue Ribbon Congregation

You have a great opportunity to strengthen support for the UU-UNO by helping your congregation achieve blue ribbon status. In order to do this, your congregation needs to meet 4 criteria and to maintain this status must be met annually. In return, your congregation will be recognized for its steadfast dedication to international human rights and be honored at a United Nations Office event at UUA General Assembly.

• Website: Become a Blue Ribbon Congregation
• Contact: Envoy Outreach Coordinator: kjacob @ uua.org

Learn more about UU-UNO Programs.

Share a flyer about our programs and ways to get involved with the UU-UNO Get Involved (PDF)