Programs and Projects
UNA-Houston addresses our mission through Education, Information, Inspiration & Advocacy.
Education
Model United Nations and Global Classrooms – For 35 years, the Houston Area Model United Nations and, more recently, the Global Classrooms program engage area middle and high school students in the exploration of current world issues through interactive simulations and curricular materials. These team-based programs cultivate literacy, cross-cultural competencies and leadership skills.
UN High School Essay Contest – For over 25 years, Houston students have been entering and winning local and national recognition in this annual contest focusing on emerging issues in the global community.
Educational Tours – UNA-Houston occasionally sponsors educational tours to foreign countries and the UN in New York. Where possible, visits are made to UN agencies and organizations such as UNICEF and the UN Development Program (UNDP). Tours are also offered to Houston-area consulates.
Schools & Community Outreach – UNA-Houston is regularly invited to speak on world affairs and UN operations with a host of schools and civic organizations. Information and training programs are offered on the various organizations within the UN structure as well as the many international issues and their effects on the local and global communities.
Information
Know Your UN Series – Regular monthly gatherings on 2nd Tuesdays are held at various restaurants where guest speakers and panelists discuss emerging global issues and what Houstonians can do to address them overseas as well as locally. This year the focus will be on the progress status of the UN Millennium Development Goals and what Houstonians can do to assist in their attainment.
Young Professionals - World Cafe Series – Regular monthly gatherings on 3rd Thursdays are held for young professionals (ages 21-40) to meet and discuss international issues, events, and advocacy programs in which they can participate to help make a difference in world affairs. Young Professionals utilize their career training to address perspectives by which they can assist in global change.
Cultural Dinner Series – Regular monthly gatherings on 2nd Tuesdays are held for UNA-Houston members and friends to meet and explore cultures and cuisines in Houston's many ethnic restaurants for informal networking and to hear from guest speakers from the themed nation.
Inspiration
UNA International Choir (UNAIC) – This acclaimed 100-plus voice choir celebrates diversity and cooperation through music and song as it entertains audiences with a wide repertoire of global choral music. Additionally, a smaller Chamber Choir is often invited to perform before civic or corporate functions focusing on global or multicultural themes.
UNA Film Festival (UNAFF) – The UNA Film Festival is an international event that includes documentaries, shorts fils, and feature films produced from across the globe. Each year, over 300 films are reviewed for selection in the program. Each film illustrates a facet of global concern as well as offers hope and inspiration for action. UNA Houston is one of five US cities and eight international cities to sponsor the UNAFF. The three-day event in Houston offers a selection of over 12 films from as many countries, and offers panel discussions by experts in the specified areas on some of the key issues addressed in the films and their relation to the UN Millennium Development Goals.
Advocacy
Advocacy Action Alerts – Periodic alert notices are sent to UNA members to apprise them of immediate issues regarding the UN and international issues. UNA members engage in information dissemination, discussion, and communications with the public media, governmental officials, and organizations to promote the mission and goals of the UN in fostering peace, equality, and justice.
UN Millennium Development Goals – In the year 2000, the UN established the Millennium Development Goals to be attained by the year 2015. UNA members are active in promoting actions to achieve the UN MDGs. These include ending hunger and poverty, ensuring universal education, gender equality, increasing child health and reducing child mortality, increasing maternal health, combatting HIV/AIDS, increasing environmental sustainability, and developing global partnerships.
US Leadership at the UN – As a founding nation of the UN, the US has a major leadership role to uphold in promoting democracy, human rights, and international security. UNA-Houston works with other UNA-USA chapters across the nation to encourage continued US leadership within the United Nations system.
