The United Nations Association of Australia is the official non-profit, non-government, membership-based, organisation in Australia working on behalf of the United Nations core body to promote its overall aims and ideals, and equally seeking to build support for the UN's programs, activities, and agencies. The UNAA official mission is "to inform, inspire and engage all Australians regarding the work, goals and values of the UN to create a safer, fairer and more sustainable world". It has division offices in every State and Territory of Australia, with the national office run out of Canberra. The UNAA works closely with United Nationsspecialised agencies and departments such as the UNDPI, UNIC, and UNHCR, and has consultative status with ECOSOC as a member of the World Federation of United Nations Associations. The organisation also works closely with the Australian Government, especially the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Australian Parliamentarians. The UNAA is governed by a National Board which meets quarterly. The National Board elects a representative Executive Team, including National Executive Director, currently Lachlan Hunter, to take responsibility for the ongoing work nationally. Its National President is Mario D'Elia, who succeeded Major General Michael G. Smith
History
The UNAA was established in 1946 and in the following decades, the Association and its state divisions grew and expanded their programs. In 1979 the Victorian division established the annual Media Peace Awards, followed by the establishment of the World Environment Day Awards. During the International Year of the Tree, the UNAA and the Nursery Industry Association of Australia founded an environmental organisation; Greening Australia, to protect, restore, and conserve Australia's native vegetation.
Media Peace Awards
The UNAA Media Peace Awards, established in 1979, were awarded on UN Day, to recognise Australian journalists and media organisations "who had excelled in their promotion of human rights and issues". These Awards are no longer being presented, with the last awards being given in 2018. A 2015 finalist was an IQ2 debate at The Ethics Centre, for "its role in stimulating public awareness and understanding". The debate achieved prominence in the media owing to an address by journalistStan Grant on "racism and the Australian Dream".
The UNAA’s Victorian division hosts student Model United Nations Conferences in high schools and universities around the state. These day-long conferences aim to increase student awareness of the United Nations, its processes, values, and the complex issues brought before the UN and the international community, while developing a sense of civic responsibility as future global citizens.
UNAA Young Professionals Network
The UNAA Young Professionals network involves and inspires young professionals throughout Australia in international affairs and the work of the United Nations around the world, through fundraising, awareness-raising, and advocacy campaigns. The UNAA YP network brings together a diverse mix of working young professionals from business, law, government, the arts, and philanthropy that are mainly aged 25 to 35. The UNAA YP network provides an exciting opportunity to interact with like-minded people and gives young professionals from all walks of life a unique forum in which to learn more about current international issues, the United Nations, and the work of the UN Association in Australia. Young people have access to exclusive events featuring high-level speakers from the United Nations, expert practitioners from the government sector, academics, and influential members of the business community. The UNAA YP also presents an opportunity to take on leadership positions to make a positive impact on a global scale as well as offers valuable networking opportunities amongst like-minded peers and influential individuals across the business and professional world in Australia. Equivalent UNA Young Professionals programs can be found in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, United States, and other countries. Currently in Australia, the UNAA Young Professionals network has official groups located in all Australian capital cities.
is a youth led organisation, born out of the organisation in the 1970s. Its members are aged below 25 years. UN Youth Australia is not a division of, or run by, the UNAA.
