Houston Area Chapter
The United Nations Association-Houston Chapter (UNA-HOU) is proud to be one of the oldest chapters in the nation. In 1955, Eleanor Roosevelt traveled to Houston to speak on behalf of the U.N. to the newly-formed chapter. She also presented the U.N. flag to the City of Houston.
UNA-HOU is the the local chapter of the national non-profit organization UNA-USA, is a membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and vital work of the United Nations among the American people.
Its educational and humanitarian campaigns, which include teaching students about international affairs through Model UN and Global Classrooms programs, addressing the UN Millennium Development Goals through the UNA International Film Festival (UNAFF Traveling Film Festival), engaging young professionals in humanitarian outreach projects (YPIC), offering cultural educational events to bridge diversity understanding, and providing information sessions on critical humanitarian issues and actions, allow people to make a global impact at the local level. In addition, its policy and advocacy programs stress the importance of nations working together and the need for United States leadership in the United Nations.
Mission Statement
Our Chapter’s mission is to educate people about the UN’s role in international affairs, how it impacts individuals and communities, and to strengthen US support for this institution whose purpose is to promote social justice the foundation for universal peace. UNA Houston achieves this through its various programs including Global Classrooms, UNA Film Festival (UNAFF TRAVELING FILM FESTIVAL), Know Your UN series, Cultural Dinners series, Young Professionals for International Cooperation (YPIC) programs, Advocacy Alerts and training, outreach lectures and programs.
Its distinguished Board of Directors and volunteers are dedicated to the work of the UN. Many of the members have served in some capacity with the U.S. government, international governments, the United Nations, the UN Foundation, and international businesses.
Upcoming Events
2nd Tuesday Series: Cultural Dinner..... Focus on Brazil– May 14
Join members and guests for a casual dinner and conversation discussing the Brazilian culture. Representatives from the Consulate of Brazil and the Houston-Brazilian community will participate and share their culture. Brazil is also the 2013 focus country for the Houston International Festival. Please check the UNA-Houston Calendar for updates on location and time.
UNA International Choir Spring Concert– May 11
Enjoy the annual spring concert by the UNAIC at St. Marks Methodist Church. UNA-Houston has the only international choir in the UNA-USA organization. Its members represent over 25 countries , and its repertoire is in various languages of the cultures of the music.See details on the UNAIC page.
UNA-USA National Conference, Washington, DC- June 2-4
Members of UNA -USA are invited to attend the UNA-USA National Conference to be held in Washington, DC, June 2-4. The conference will include UNA-Houston's Education Director Sara Timms presenting on Global Classrooms and UNA-Houston's President Hon. Teta Banks presenting on the topic Effective Advocacy Communications. There will be advocacy workshops, receptions at embassies and the U.S. Department of State, and a "Day on Capitol Hill" for meetings with congressional representatives to promote the UN mission and issues. Contact UNA-Houston at info@unahouston.org to confirm attendance and registration.
Recent Events
Global Classrooms 2013 - Students from across the Houston area participated in the Annual Global Classrooms Conference. Middle school and high students studied a year-long curriculum emphasizing international issues and the work of the United Nations. The culmination was the Model UN session where they debated, developed resolutions and solutions to global crises.(See more details on the Global Classrooms tab and the UNA-Houston newsletter.)
World Water Day 2013 - The UNA -Houston partnered with Houston Community College and sponsored a one-day forum in recognition of World Water Day and the UN International Year of Water Cooperation. UNA-Houston Board member and Advocacy Chair, Dr. Frank Elvin, presented a lecture on Global Climate Change. UNA-Houston President Teta Banks made a presentation on the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the initiatives of the UNA-Houston Water project in Zambia, directed by Board member Terry Stierman, Chair of the "Wines Around the World" Humanitarian Project of UNA-HOU.
2nd Tuesday Series:Know Your UN - The UN Security Council - The UNA-Houston continued its series under the direction of former UNA-HOU president and Legacy Member Dr. Anna Louise Bruner. The focus was the UN Security Council. The dinner/discussion was held at Shiva's Restaurant in Rice Village.
HAMUN38- The UNA-Houston sponsored the 38th session of the Model United Nations in Houston, the largest session in the southern United States. More than 1,000 students attended. UNA-Houston former president and Legacy Member Mrs. Delores Goble addressed the session and shared her personal history and recollections of the forming of the United Nations. Students held UN Committee discussions, developed resolutions, and addressed global crises amidst the session.
Other UNA-Houston Ongoing Programs
Nothing But Nets and UNA-Houston Partnership - The Houston Dynamo Soccer Team partnered with the UNA Houston and UN Foundation to advocate for the "NothingButNets" anti-malaria project. Donations from ticket sales went to support the purchase of bednets to save lives in malaria-stricken countries in Africa. Visit Houston Dynamo website.
UNA-Houston Honors Legacy Members at UN Day Gala 2012
The UNA Houston celebrated the chartering of the United Nations at the Federal Reserve Bank Conference Center. Honorees were Dr. Anna Louise Bruner (Lifetime Achievement Award) and the University of St. Thomas (Global Impact Award).Our keynote speaker was Patrick Madden, Executive Director of the United Nations Association of the United States of America.Special guests included Ambassador Cynthia Perry, U.S. Congressman Al Green, Councilman Jack Christie, and members of the Consular Corps. Students from the Global Classrooms Program as well as university Model UN programs participated in the celebration.
