The Pasadena Chapter of the UNA-USA is the home to programs and annual events that bridge the gap between the global and local in San Gabriel Valley. From high school Model UN, to our Coffee Talks Series, to Human Rights Day and International Women’s Day celebrations, we strive to connect our community with educators, advocates, and nonprofit professionals on the issues most important to the UN’s work for peace, justice, equality, and sustainability. As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, our Pasadena Chapter supports local initiatives and organizations that support the SDGs and the mission of the United Nations.
UNA – USA
The United Nations Association of the USA serves to be local embodiments of the United Nations. All national associations work closely with the United Nations Foundation and its sister organization, the Better World Campaign, to strengthen the U.S.-UN relationship.
UNA-USA carries out its action agenda through a unique combination of public outreach, policy analysis, and international dialog.
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The American Association for the United Nations, the UNA’s predecessor, grew from the League of Nations in 1943. A group of prominent citizens, including the first Executive Director, Clark M. Eichelberger, activated the association to promote acceptance of the Dumbarton Oaks proposals during World War II. Among the association’s early actions was a national tour by several representatives to spread the word and gain support for American adherence to the Dumbarton proposals, which led to the creation of the UN.
When First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, a member of the association’s board of directors, completed her term as a US Representative to the UN General Assembly in 1951, she walked into the association’s offices and asked for something to do. Her offer was joyfully accepted, and in 1953 she established an office at the association’s headquarters. This was the quiet beginning of a major campaign in which Mrs. Roosevelt carried the message of the American Association for the United Nations across the country through personal appearances, recruitment speeches and fund-raising efforts that continued until her death in November 1962. She was elected chairwoman of the board in 1961.
In 1964, the association merged with the US Committee for the United Nations, a group of 138 national organizations supporting the work of the UN. Thus, the United Nations Association of the United States of America was born and has seen several distinguished Americans serve in positions of leadership at UN-USA. These include Arthur J. Goldberg, former Justice of the US Supreme Court and US permanent representative to the United Nations; James S. McDonnell, former chairman of the McDonnell-Douglas Corporation; Elliot L. Richardson, former US attorney general and US representative to the Law of the Sea Conference; William Scranton, former governor of Pennsylvania and US permanent representative to the United Nations; Cyrus Vance, former secretary of state; and John C. Whitehead, former deputy secretary of state.
In 2010, UNA-USA formed a strategic alliance with the UN Foundation. Under the new alliance UNA-USA continues as a robust membership program of the Foundation, (Photo above right). Together, UNA-USA and the UN Foundation are pooling their talents to increase public education and advocacy on the work of the UN.
Origin
In 1947, the Pasadena Chapter was formed and became one of the first UNA-USA chapters to be incorporated in 1972. We immediately began an extensive program to educate the general public about the United Nations.
With a membership that covers the San Gabriel Valley, Burbank, Glendale, and Northeast Los Angeles, our Chapter is one of the largest in the nation.
1990s
In 1998, we had a significant role in political endeavors when the formation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was established. Our Chapter was instrumental in organizing a Southern California working group on the Court. This group now has its own non-profit status and is promoting the ICC’s objectives successfully.
Early 2000s
Our Chapter sponsored a Night of a Thousand Dinners for many years, collecting funds to clear landmines. From 1999-2009, this UNA-USA campaign raised over $25 million, cleared over 1,000 minefields, and assisted thousands of survivors. While the 90’s saw 15,000 people dying from landmines each year, today that number has dropped to less than 4,000.
Continued Presence
Also in 2006, we began annually partnering with the Pasadena Mayor’s Office to celebrate Human Rights Day and have continued this tradition with Mayor Victor Gordo. In 2020 our chapter decided to focus on giving more agency leadership opportunities youth members and campus chapters and offered students the opportunity to participate in our board meetings, co-lead and present at our events.