COP21: How you can influence global leaders

UNA-USA is hosting a nationwide conference call next Tuesday to talk with young people about how they can influence global leaders at the upcoming Climate Conference in Paris. Join the call and learn about how GenUN/UNA-USA is engaging youth around COP21:

December 1, 5 p.m. ET

#EarthtoParis:

Briefing on the Historic Climate Convening

and Tips for Effective Advocacy

featuring

Ryan Hobert

Senior Director, Energy and Climate, United Nations Foundation

Click here to RSVP.

About Earth to Paris:

This December, world leaders are gathering in Paris for a landmark convening to complete a new global climate agreement – an extraordinary opportunity for the international community to rise to meet the threat of climate change. UN Foundation has launched #EarthtoParis to drive awareness and host events that highlight the connection between people and planet and the need for strong action on climate; to showcase climate solutions and innovations; to bring together communities to promote collaboration; and to engage people around the world in the dialogue taking place in Paris. Whether you’re in Paris, France or Paris, Texas, you can help to drive the conversation and advocate for strong climate action in December.

Join us for a conversation with Ryan Hobert, Senior Director, Energy and Climate, at the UN Foundation for an in-depth look at these once-in-a-generation climate negotiations and how to best advocate to tackle climate change.

Hashtags: #EarthtoParis #COP21

Check out the Earth to Paris website here: http://www.earthtoparis.org/

Quick info on Earth to Paris: http://www.earthtoparis.org/resources/EarthToParis-One-Pager.pdf

How is WAGGGS engaging COP21?

WAGGGS has several exciting steps you can take to get involved! Taking this conference call will get you thinking about how you can engage your leaders. Here are some concrete steps you can take to address climate change with world leaders through WAGGGS (whether you take the call or not!): https://www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/speak-out/cop21-united-nations-conference-climate-change/get-involved/

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

#Action2015 & the WAGGGS Take Action Backpack

If you are active on social media, particularly Twitter, you may have noticed the #Action2015 hashtag. Action/2015is a new global campaign to call to action, a movement to demand change and to work to ensure world leaders adopt truly ambitious goals and agreements on addressing climate change, poverty, inequality and injustice. This year is a pivotal year: the 2015 Millennium Development Goals are coming to an end and a new set of goals will be determined for the years to come! These new goals are important: they determine what key development issues get international support and funding, whether it's gender equality, infrastructure, government anti-corruption measures, and more.

January 15 was a big day to call our leaders to action, but you can still get involved-- leaders will be meeting throughout the year to decide these future goals, and every action you take in your local community and share with our global community makes a difference.

What Can I Do to Get Involved?

1. Check out the NEW WAGGGS Take Action Backpack, an interactive online "backpack" that will help you on your journey to understanding and taking action on child and maternal health. Why did WAGGGS pick these to focus on? Because Millennium Development goal 4 is on child health and Millennium Development goal 5 is on maternal health, and countries still have a way to go in ensuring that children and mothers have save and healthy lives! Check out the backpack here (be sure to click the play buttonn above the backpack to get started!): http://www.wagggs.org/en/take_action/mytakeactionbackback
2. Fill out the My World 2015 Survey and see what other people are saying. The My World 2015 Survey gives everyone around the globe the chance to have their voices heard in what they think are important goals as we look to the future! Fill out the survey here: http://vote.myworld2015.org/?partner=WAGGGS
3. GenUN also has a list of actions you can take to make 2015 a year of action. And remember, it is never too late to take any action and get your leaders' support! Check it out here: http://genun.unausa.org/action_2015_global_digital_rally
4. Check out the Action/2015 website for more information on what this big push for action in 2015 is all about: http://www.action2015.org/

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.