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The United Nations Association of China (UNA-China) is a non-government organization for the promotion of the cause of peace and development of the United Nations, with its membership open to the general public, particularly to social groups that are interested in UN affairs. UNA-China is one of the founding members of the World Federation of the United Nations Associations (WFUNA) and a member of the Conference of the Non-governmental Organizations (CONGO) in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. It enjoys General Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is associated with the Department of Public Information of the UN (DPI).
The purposes of UNA-China are to disseminate information about the UN, to promote comprehension, research and popularization of UN endeavors and activities, to help realize the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and to enhance mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation among peoples of all nations.
UNA-China, with its headquarters in Beijing, is headed by a president and two vice-presidents. The secretariat tends to the day-to-day work under the guidance of the Director-General and his/her deputy. The current President of UNA-China is Amb. Jin Yongjian, former UN Under Secretary-General.
WHAT WE DO
The activities of UNA-China mainly fall into the following five areas:
Disseminating information about UN and supporting UN endeavors by giving lectures, publishing books, holding model UN conferences, conducting UN knowledge competitions, running seminars, organizing commemorative functions, initiating poverty alleviation programs and etc.
Attending major UN summit conferences and parallel NGO forums, as well as meetings held by ECOSOC and DPI of the UN to get itself acquainted with the important and relevant UN issues and to present its own views on them.
Taking active part in WFUNA activities and programs, such as attending WFUNA conferences and training courses, hosting regional meetings, initiating ideas for WFUNA reinvigoration, joining the MDG survey process and so on.
Carrying out bilateral exchanges with other UNAs to share experiences in fundraising, program management and capacity building, establish programs of cooperation and enhance mutual understanding and friendship.
Networking with domestic and international NGOs by participating in their activities related to UN objectives.
MAJOR CURRENT PROJECTS
l In collaboration with WFUNA, UNA-China is to hold the first Asia/Pacific Regional Model UN Conference in Beijing on August 19-21, 2004. The theme is: Issues and prospects in achieving the Millennium Development Goals in the Asia Pacific Region. About 200 university students from the ESCAP member states will participate in the event.
l UNA-China has established long-term cooperative ties with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) of Australia. At the request of UNA-China, HREOC has agreed to sponsor a series of projects. The first one is to hold model UN conferences on human rights in China in 2004 and 2005. The second one is to conduct a human rights knowledge competition in China in 2005. The purpose is to raise the public awareness of human rights in China.
UNA-China has entered into serious discussions with the Swedish United Nations Association for bilateral cooperation. The two sides are making joint efforts to seek assistance from Swedish government and EU to facilitate projects like training courses on NGO capacity building in China, small poverty alleviation schemes in the western part of China, international seminars on UN reform, human rights and peace and security.
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