International Justice and Action: UU Office at the United Nations

Resources for Further Engagement to Achieve Gender Equity in an Intersecting World

After attending the Intergenerational Spring Seminar April 11-13, 2019, the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office hopes that all participants will continue engagement with the office and with the issues discussed, such as creating inclusive communities and institutions, and advocating for policies that affirm gender equity on both global and local levels.

Our esteemed presenters, partners, and volunteers have provided the following information and resources for continued engagement (grouped roughly based on topic). We're happy to add more - send additional resources to unitednations@uua.org and we can update this list!

Keynote Speaker: Ericka Hart

Learn more about our keynote speaker, Ericka Hart, by checking out their website.

Creating Inclusive Communities

Gender Initiatives at the United Nations

Watch the UN Web TV video of the Theme Panel "Gender in an Intersecting World: Action at the United Nations"

Cities for CEDAW

As mentioned by Soon-Young Yoon in the UN Theme Panel, several cities around the United States have already adopted the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as a city ordinance. Rally your community to do the same with the Cities for CEDAW campaign.

Free and Equal Campaign

  • Free and Equal is the United Nations' campaign for equal rights and fair treatment for people around the world who are discriminated against based on their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. They have some good resources and media to share.

Disarmament and Demilitarization

During the Theme Panel, Ray Acheson talked about her work through Reaching Critical Will (a project of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom) to address the gendered aspects of the impact of weapons and of disarmament processes. Learn more about Reaching Critical Will and get involved!

  • The UU-UNO has a bi-weekly blog called "Disarming Our Planet" that features articles on a wide range of topics relating to peace, disarmament, demilitarization, and so much more. Subscribe here!

Domestic Violence & Socioeconomics

Professor Nicole Lesser who led the Friday afternoon workshop "Domestic Violence in Different Social Classes" has shared the slides from her presentation. There's a lot of information in there for any who are interested in looking further into this subject.

Gendered Language

  • This handout fromZsófia Sztranyiczki's workshop on Gendered Language gives an introduction to the ways in which language is created by and continues to create gendered culture, including tips on what to pay attention to and how to use gender-inclusive language.
  • The United Nations has recently released guidelines to help UN staff to communicate in a gender-inclusive way in the six official languages of the Organization. Created for UN staff, these guidelines for gender-inclusive language are useful for any institution or organization to adopt.

Creative Resistance

During the Love Resists workshop on Saturday morning, Marissa Gutiérrez Vicario​ and Meagan Henry, program leaders with the UU College of Social Justice, led creative activities and shared stories of resistance.

  • Resistance Stories (Google doc) including links within the stories to learn more about the organizations doing this work, including the Queer Detainee Empowerment Project (QDEP), Mariposas Sin Fronteras, Jennicet Gutierrez, LGBTQ Contingent During the Caravan, Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project (BLMP), and a story from the First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn.
  • Connect with ARTE Justice (Art and Resistance Through Education), led by Marissa Gutiérrez Vicario, which engages young people to amplify their voices and organize for human rights changes through visual arts.

UU College of Social Justice: Activate!

Calling all high-school-aged youth: Join the UU College of Social Justice from July 13th - 20th for Activate New Orleans: Racial Justice and Beloved Community! This one-week training for high school youth offers interactive social justice education and meaningful hands-on work with local organizations resisting white supremacy and building a thriving New Orleans. In a program grounded in UU values and practices, participants of all backgrounds are welcomed to engage issues of race and class against the unique backdrop of New Orleans history, culture, and activism.
Generous financial aid that can cover up to 75% of the program fee is available based on need until funds are spent. Learn more and register by May 31st.

Storytelling for Moral Leadership

The Storytelling for Moral Leadership workshop on Saturday morning was led by Daniel May and Lisbeth Meléndez Rivera, trainers from Auburn Seminary. Auburn offers many types of incredible workshops and trainings focused on building community, pursuing justice, and healing the world. Most of the trainings offered are full-day or half-day sessions to really go deep into the subject. You might consider inviting them to lead a training at your congregation!

  • Listen to the Fortification Podcast on Spiritual Sustenance for Movement Leadership (from the UUA's Side With Love campaign in partnership with Auburn Seminary)