The U/U Global Network is a collaborative effort of Unitarian, Unitarian Universalist, and Free Christian communities around the world who wish to build community. The term “U/U” as a shorthand to represent the diversity of traditions around the globe.

The U/U Global Network exists to strengthen the expression of our faith locally, by building fellowship globally. As a minority faith in the countries U/U communities are based, and committed to faith without doctrine or dogma, our strength depends on our continual discernment and adaptation to our contexts in order to stay attuned to what is wise, true and loving in our lives and in our communities. The U/U Global Network aims to create the conditions for the deepening of relationships and expansion of connections between U/U leaders so that this discernment and adaptation can be done in richer fellowship.

We are called to this work as we witness the rise of authoritarianism risking religious freedom, climate crisis demanding greater care and collaboration across borders, and the technology that enables our connection also driving us apart.

The vision for the U/U Global Network is set by its Leadership and Design Team (LDT)—a group of volunteer U/Us from around the world who agree to lead with creativity, humility, and curiosity. This team welcomes new members each year to bring fresh perspectives in setting the vision.

The LDT also sets the direction for the daily work of a small staff team. Most of the work is done on social media and other online tools to help facilitate community connections.

The U/U Global Network is held within the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Global Connections Office, as part of the UUA’s commitment to fostering collaboration and friendship. The UUA is the beneficiary of generous and reliable funding for Global Connections work; this provides the UUA with staff and financial resources to support the U/U Global Network beyond the volunteer leaders.

The UUA Global Connections Office holds administrative responsibility for the U/U Global Network such as managing contracts, subscriptions, and payments. It is also responsible to supervise the day-to-day needs of the U/U Global Network staff team, while following the direction of the LDT.

Background

The formation of the U/U Global Network is a direct result of the re-imagining process initiated by the International Council of Unitarians/Universalists & Free Christian Churches (ICUU) and the UU Partner Church Council (UUPCC), in collaboration with the UUA. The ICUU and UUPCC agreed that their organizations should dissolve so that a new vision for global U/U connection could take shape.