Take action for the SDGs for a chance to win tickets to the Global Citizen Festival in Hamburg, Germany on July 6th!

Take action for the SDGs for a chance to win tickets to the Global Citizen Festival in Hamburg, Germany on July 6th!

Tell the SDG Action Campaign how you or someone you know are taking action to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in your community, region or city for a chance to be recognized for those efforts and win 2 tickets to the Global Citizen Festival Hamburg. On 6th July you will be invited to see Herbert Grönemeyer, Coldplay, The Chainsmokers, Ellie Golding and many more live on stage.

Participate on this Facebook post:

1) Share a photo or video as a comment & tell the SDG Action Campaign how you or someone you know is taking action on the Sustainable Development Goals in the below comments section of this Facebook post.

2) The Facebook community will choose their favorite best 17 stories of SDG Action by liking their favorite posts. Tell all your friends to like your entry!

3) On Friday, May 26th, the 17 entries with the most ‘likes’ will win a pair of tickets for the Global Citizen Festival in Hamburg, Germany on 6 July 2017.

4) Winners are responsible for any and all expenses, including, but not limited to: travel, accommodation, insurance, visa. All participants must abide by the full terms & conditions listed at http://bit.ly/2pSeJ63

Spread the word! and let all your friends participate for a chance to spread their word on what they are doing, inspire others to follow their example and to win the tickets.

WAGGGS Stay Connected Competition -- $3000 grant!

The Global Goals are 17 goals that world leaders signed onto at the United Nations to collaboratively work towards real issues like ending hunger, poverty, gender inequality, and environmental degradation. These goals are important for both developed and developing countries to make real changes in their countries, but they need the help of young people to make sure that people know about these goals and to get started on rolling them out! You can be a part of this important process.

Technology and innovation are key drivers that can help to make large and sustainable impact that last. Which is why Verizon has teamed up with WAGGGS to create this grant for Girl Scouts/Guides to come up with creative solutions to bringing the Global Goals to your community! Winners will receive a $3000 grant to execute the project.

Judging criteria:

• Relevance: How is this relevant to the Global Goals and girls' lives in your community? 
• Innovation: Is your idea a new one? 
• Effectiveness: How effective would your idea be in creating change?
• Impact: What is the impact your project could have on your community?
• Sustainability: How will your project be able to continue to have an impact once it's set up?

More info & apply: https://www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/stay-connected/

Last Minute Opportunity to be in a Music Video

Pop artist Tennille Amor is making a collaborative music video for her song "I Am A Girl!" The video will be featured at the UN Interagency Youth Forum. Tennille is looking for girls and women from around the world to record themselves dancing and singing her song.

If you are interested in participating, please email Tori (vlarson31@gmail.com) ASAP and she will send you the details, including recording specifications, a release form, and of course the song!

Please note the deadline is MONDAY, February 22, 2016!

Nominate an Advocate for the UNA-USA Leo Nevas Human Rights Youth Award

Are you a college student and passionate about the UN and human rights? Apply today for the 2015 Leo Nevas Human Rights Youth Advocate Award. If selected for the honor, you will be recognized for your commitment at the UN Foundation/UNA-USA Global Leadership Dinner in New York on November 3. The Global Leadership Dinner is a high-level annual event which has been attended that the UN Secretary General, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, and countless other high-level diplomats and philanthropists. Now’s your time to shine!

Applications will close on September 14, 2015 at 11:59PM EST.

Every year, the UNA-USA Leo Nevas Human Rights Task Force gives a Leo Nevas Human Rights Youth Advocate Award, recognizing the work of a young person who has earned distinction for raising awareness of the UN and human rights mechanisms. The Youth Advocate Award winner is invited to join UNA-USA for the annual Global Leadership Dinner in New York and be recognized for their efforts among high-level human rights advocates, leading, and policymakers. Previously, the UN Secretary General, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, and diplomats from around the world have attended this electrifying event.

The UNA-USA Leo Nevas Human Rights Task Force is an advisory group of distinguished citizens knowledgeable and vitally concerned about international human rights and the role of the UN and the U.S. in protecting those rights. Since its establishment in 2007, the Task Force has been active in urging the U.S. to seek membership on the UN Human Rights Council and, as a member, to appoint a knowledgeable ambassador to the Council so as to maximize U.S. engagement and leadership.

The Task Force works to promote robust and effective U.S. participation at the Human Rights Council, and to improve the effectiveness of the Council. The Task Force also encourages constructive U.S. engagement through other UN human rights bodies to promote the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, American values and human rights interests, as well as progress toward a more just and peaceful world.

Past Youth Advocate Recipients: Past award recipients include Rana Abdelhamid (2014), Elizabeth Alarcon (2013), Marlow Svatek (2012), Karen Woodin-Rodriguez (2011), Ryan Kaminski (2010), and Ibrahim Diallo (2008). 

Apply here: http://genun.unausa.org/leo_nevas_youth_application

ABOUT UNA-USA

United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a membership organization dedicated to inform, inspire, and mobilize the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. For 70 years UNA-USA has worked to accomplish its mission through its national network of Chapters, youth engagement, advocacy efforts, education programs, and public events. UNA-USA is a program of the United Nations Foundation. UNA-USA and its sister organization the Better World Campaign represent the single largest network of advocates and supporters of the United Nations in the world. Learn more about UNA-USA’s programs and initiatives at www.unausa.org. - See more at: http://unausa.org/about-us#sthash.6WLPNERi.dpuf

World Humanitarian Summit Data Visualization Competition

Join the #VisualizeChange challenge

In the lead-up to the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit convened by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, we have consulted thousands of people worldwide and collected their ideas and recommendations to reduce human loss and suffering from crisis.

Together with Unite Ideas we are inviting you to join our #VisualizeChange challenge to build an info-graphic or dynamic visualization featuring the World Humanitarian Summit consultation data collections.

The winner will be invited and sponsored to travel to present their work at the Global Consultation in Geneva, Switzerland on 14-16 October 2015 and the best visualizations will be showcased on the World Humanitarian Summit website, the Unite Ideas website and at related events worldwide. Please share this invitation with colleagues and friends and don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or ideas related to the challenge: visualizechange@whsummit.org

Find out about criteria and how to participate here: bit.ly/VisualizeChange

The deadline for submissions is 30 August 2015.

What is the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS)?

An initiative of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, managed by UN OCHA, the first World Humanitarian Summit will be held in Istanbul on 23 and 24 May 2016 and will bring together governments, humanitarian organizations, people affected by humanitarian crises and new partners including the private sector to propose solutions to our most pressing challenges and set an agenda to keep humanitarian action fit for the future.

UN Climate Action Video Contest Deadline: August 17

The UN Envoy on Youth is giving away the opportunity to attend the upcoming climate conference COP 21, which will be held in Paris, France this December! Attending COP is an amazing opportunity to demonstrate the impact you and other youth have had on influencing climate change policies and actions. For more information about COP, please check out this website: http://www.cop21paris.org/

Below is from a press release from the UN Envoy on Youth, available here: http://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2015/06/lights-camera-paris-win-way-cop21/ 

If you are between the ages of 18 and 30, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) wants to hear about your inspiring actions for Climate Change.

Think about a project or campaign you are involved in to combat climate change, an action which convinced your parents, school or college to take climate action, a lobbying of your elected members of parliament or your city leaders.

Whatever is making a difference, turn it into a snappy concise 3 minute video and join the competition.

Some key questions to answer are:
• Why did you choose to engage in this climate action?
• What were some of the key things that took place?
• What were some of the successes?
• Where did these successes occur (locally, nationally or internationally)?
• How can youth from similar countries replicate the activities that have been implemented?

The Prizes Each winner will receive:
• Round trip to COP21/CMP11 in Paris, France from 30 November to 11 December 2015 (inclusive of accommodation and other expenses); and
 • Position as a youth reporter for COP21/CMP11, responsible for assisting UNFCCC Newsroom team with videos, articles and social media posts. 

Deadline to submit your video: August 17, 2015

 Guidelines
 - You convinced your school, employer or local/national government to take climate action;
- You created formal/non-formal mechanisms/spaces that enable dialogue between young people and company or government representatives on climate action;
- You contributed to government approved documents or regulations that address climate change;
- You have shaped a government’s position at an intergovernmental meeting on climate change;
- You have prevented new fossil fuel infrastructure;
- You have engaged the media on climate change;
- You have organized a successful divestment campaign.

 To submit your video, and learn more about the Rules and Regulations click here.

 The Global Youth Video Competition is collaboration between the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UNDP GEF-Small Grants Programme, the United Nations Joint Framework Initiative on Children, Youth, and Climate Change and Television for the Environment.

UNHATE News Contest: Submissions Due May 31

The United Nations Department of Public Information, in cooperation with the UNHATEFoundation, launched the UNHATE NEWS initiative as part of its efforts to create a world without hate and where human rights are recognized. They previously hosted a contest collecting good news that youth hope to hear one day in the future, and now their current contest is trying to turn this imagined news into reality!

Their current contest is calling for young people (students and young university faculty) ages 18-30 to envision local projects that are in line with the goals of UNHATE in their community. Each finalist will be awarded 20,000euros (approximately $22,000) to implement their project idea!

According to a recent press release, "We now invite university/college students and members of faculty, between the ages of eighteen and thirty, around the world, to develop, prepare, and present a specific initiative at the local or community level that clearly promotes the ideal of tolerance, respect for diversity and harmony within and between peoples as part of the UNHATE Foundation's/UNAI International Diversity Contest... Entries may be submitted by individuals or by groups of individuals who have collaborated in defining the project."

The project should be related to one of the following themes:

• women’s rights 
• maternal health 
• violence against women 
• women and unemployment 
• women’s empowerment 
• women’s health 
• sustainable development and human rights, in particular: 
• religious tolerance 
• the right to water 
• LGBTI rights 
• the right to housing 
• the right to education

A 1000 word proposal, as well as a few other documents, will need to be emailed by May 31. Full details about about what to submit and how to apply are available here: http://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2015/04/compete-unhate-unai-international-diversity-contest-create-world-without-hate-human-rights-recognized/

Here is a video related to the original campaign around the news we want to hear and violence against women:

Peace First Prize is Taking Nominations!

Do you know a US resident between ages 8-22 who had done some amazing peace making in their community? The Peace First Prize is looking for applicants for their $25,000 fellowship award to provide young peacemakers the opportunity to pursue their peace project and further their education for two years.

According to the website, "The Peace First Fellowship contributes to the movement Peace First is building through direct programming that builds a collection of youth peacemakers.  The Peace First Fellowship invests in empowering youth who are already catalysts for change, helping to put their work in context and provide the relationships, skills, and knowledge they need to take their peacemaking work to the next level.  The Peace First Fellowship has a unique focus on relationships: among Fellows, between Fellows and Peace First staff, and within the larger Peace First network."

Last year's winners ranged from ages 13-23 and worked on projects related to race, education, LGBT issues, bullying, and disabilities. Students often experienced first-hand different struggles and sought to make change so that other people in similar situations don't have to feel the same way they did. Check out the amazing five winners from 2014 here!

Do you know a girl in your community who has made amazing strides in peacemaking? Nominate her now for the Peace First Prize! Even if she doesn't make it as a finalist there are some great benefits to being an applicant:

• An invitation to join the Community of Peacemakers, a growing, online network of young people around the country who are creating positive social change. 
• A chance for their story to be featured on the Peace First Prize website and/or social media. 
• Entry into a raffle for a chance to donate $100 to the peacemaking organization of their choice (must apply by early application deadline, February 6, 2014).

Nominations are pretty quick (your nominee will be sent an application form after you nominate them), so fill one out now here: http://www.peacefirst.org/prize/index.php/nominate

Or, work with the girl on her application, which is available here: http://www.peacefirst.org/prize/index.php/apply

Note for girls applying: Be sure to look at the whole website as well as all of the social media pages and think about what kind of trends you see in what the prize is looking for. Applications are an art in themselves and unfortunately are the gatekeepers to great prizes and awards like these. If you don't get picked, don't be discouraged-- practicing filling out applications is good to do, and a great way to reflect on the great work you're doing in your community and the vision you have for yourself in the future! I suggest teaming up with an adult, such as your troop leader or parent, and having them help you to think about what makes you the best candidate and how to craft your personal story. This is your moment to shine-- don't be intimidated to speak highly and positively about yourself!

Resources for parents, teachers, and troop leaders: The website has some great resources for getting children started on the path to being great peacemakers in their community! Access them here: http://www.peacefirst.org/prize/peacemaking-resources

GenUN Contest: Thank a Peacekeeper & Win a Trip to NYC!

What is GenUN?

GenUN is a national initiative of UNA-USA to engage and energize young supporters around UN issues. As an action-oriented platform, GenUN provides a vehicle for young people to get involved in global issues. GenUN also empowers a new generation of young Americans to be leaders in helping the UN build a better world for all.

About the Contest

Every day, UN peacekeepers assist in implementing peace agreements, stabilizing conflict zones after a ceasefire, disarming and demobilizing ex-combatants, facilitating humanitarian assistance, and building effective governments. Over 100,000 of these committed citizens are working around the clock to deliver peace some of the world’s most difficult conflicts.

Learn more about the details of UN Peacekeeping, sign a Thank a Peacekeeper card, find shareable infographics, and more here.

September 21st is International Day of Peace, and we’re challenging campus chapters nationwide to show us the best way to thank a UN peacekeeper.

Find a creative way to show your support in the form of an event, video, art project, blue jeans for blue helmets day, essay, giant blue balloon display, or something else- the sky is the limit! 

Three winners will be invited to New York City (travel expenses paid by UNA-USA) to participate in the Better World Campaign’s 2014 Thank a Peacekeeper event. Submissions should be entered here by midnight EST on September 30 and follow the guidelines below. The winners will be notified by October 6. Your creative way to show your support for UN peacekeepers should:

1. Involve the membership of your UNA-USA campus chapter; 
2. Engage other students on your college campus on the issue of UN Peacekeeping; 
3. Be shareable online, either through pictures or another form of media.

More details about the contest are available here!

Find your local GenUN chapter here. 

UN International Day of Happiness with Pharrell this Thursday

For the "International Day of Happiness" on Thursday, March 20, the UN Foundation has teamed up with Pharrell, whose song "Happy" has recently become a sensation. Here's the official music video in case you didn't see it, which is actually an abridged version of a 24 hour video they did (which you can check out in full length here: http://24hoursofhappy.com/):

So, what can you do? Share your YouTube video or Instagram photo of you being happy (be sure to use the tag #happyday) and then upload it here: http://24hoursofhappiness.com/ Check back in on March 20 at noon and you may just find your video or photo featured on the website!

Confused why there is an International Day of Happiness? Here is a great article from Huffington Post, "Why in the world do we need an International Day of Happiness?": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/valerie-alexander/why-in-the-world-do-we-ne_b_4938095.html

Who is this guy Pharrell anyway? Great article on who he is and why he's so darn happy from Radio.com: http://news.radio.com/2014/03/07/pharrell-williams-and-united-nations-foundation-team-up-for-international-day-of-happiness-2014/

Equator Prize in Sustainable Development: Nominations Due March 22

Do you know someone involved in sustainable development and climate change? The Equator Prize is looking for candidates for it's 2014 contest. Please check out their website for more info! Here are details from the webpage:

The Equator Prize 2014 will recognize twenty-five local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. Profiles of past Equator Prize winners can be found here.    

Equator Prize 2014 winners will each receive $5,000 (USD), with several selected for ‘special recognition’ and an additional $15,000 (USD). 

Representatives of winning communities will be supported to participate in a series of events held in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly, scheduled for September 2014 in New York.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the Equator Prize 2014, nominees must:

✔  Have been in operation for at least 3 years
✔  Be a community-based or local group, operating in a rural area
✔  Be located within a country receiving support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), excluding countries with a high level of development

Please review our eligibility requirements, selection criteria and FAQs for more information.

More details from and email we received:

The Equator Prize 2014 will honor twenty-five (25) local initiatives working to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems. 

This cycle of the award has the theme local climate action and special recognition will be awarded in:

o   Smallholder agriculture and food security

o   Forest management (including REDD+)

o   Sustainable land management

o   Ecosystem restoration

o   Sustainable energy

o   Water security

o   Disaster risk reduction

 

Nomination forms are available in 16 different languages here.  Nominations can be completed online here.

                                                                                                                                                                     

The deadline for nominations is March 22^nd, 2014.

International Schools Essay Competition on "Sustainable Living"

2014 International Schools Essay Competition & Debate

What does 'sustainable living' mean to you?

FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT

There are just two weeks left to register for the 2014 International Schools Essay Competition.
Enter now for your chance to win a fantastic trip to the UK for three people to attend the International Schools Debates (7-10 July).
Teachers/Parents/Legal Guardians of children around the world (aged 7-17), please register here (until 10th February). Each Teacher Champion can submit up to 30 essays online until the 10th February deadline.

Opportunity: Movies 4 Development, UNICEF

For students:  Movies 4 Development (M4D)–submissions due March 7, 2014

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF High School Club program announces Movies 4 Development (M4D), an interactive way for high school students to express their ideas about children’s issues. Members work in teams of three to produce a 60-second video on Child Protection. Visit unicefusa.org/m4d for resources, contest rules and regulations and more. (NOTE: You must first register on the UNICEF Action Center.) You do not need to be a member of a UNICEF high school club to enter.

Children's Opportunity: International Children's Painting Competition "Wasting Our Food is Wasting Our Planet"

The United Nations Environment Programme is once again hosting International Children's Painting Competition. According to UNEP:

The International Children’s Painting Competition (ICPC) on the Environment is organized every year by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Japan-based Foundation for Global Peace and Environment (FGPE), Bayer and Nikon Corporation. Some 3 million entries from children in more than 150 countries have been received since the competition’s inception in 1991.

UNEP’s Regional for Office of North America in partnership with Bayer Corporation has launched the 23^rd annual International Children's Painting Competition (ICPC) for the 2013-2014 school year. We are calling for entries to all six to 14- year-olds in the United States and Canada to express their creativity and environmental awareness by participating in this year’s competition. 

The theme is “Wasting Our Food is Wasting Our Planet.” The Students are expected to focus on the responsibility we all have in reducing the enormous amount of food that is lost or wasted each year worldwide. Please look at the attached brochure for the entry requirements and the press release for more information. 

All entries must be submitted by March 15, 2013.  Click here for more details!