On October 24, 1945, the United Nations was created. Every year for the month of October, UNA-USA and its 200+ chapters around the country activate in their communities by hosting events centered around a certain global issue. Our theme for the 2024 UN Day, is UN for US. The play on words is the emphasize how the United States needs the United Nations. This year, more than ever, we must support, advocate and protect the mission of the United Nations.
United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) encourage all members to freely engage in personal campaign activity, such as by engaging in political speech or providing assistance to campaigns. It is important that your personal volunteer political activities are not attributed to or sponsored by the UNA-USA national office or a UNA chapter.
As a non-partisan organization, UNA-USA remains neutral and does not endorse or support any political party or candidate. Our dedication to supporting the mission and values of the United Nations is unwavering, and we strive to uphold these principles in all our activities.
Possible UN Day Programs
Determine whether you will host an in-person, virtual or hybrid program. That will help to narrow down the locations, platforms and support needed. If your event would like to host a speaker, we can help. Please fill out the form below. We will contact you once we have a speaker to connect you with. We will not be considering any applications submitted after October 1st.
This UN Day will be particularly special since it is an election year for America and there is an increased rhetoric around defunding or eliminating the UN all together. In light of this, we want to ensure each chapter is taking all necessary safety precautions during UN Day programs. Your safety is our first priority. Please consider the following while planning for UN Day:
Items to Consider for Any Event
- If you are hosting a program that is open to the public, be prepared for protests.
- If you feel it is necessary and your funds allow for it, hire security for the event.
- Be prepared with local law enforcement phone numbers in case you need to call them quickly.
- Be aware of and announce all possible security exits.
- Consider having registration and admission management (and using a trusted event platform site to run both).
- Extend an invitation to Members of Congress (and invite them to speak).
- Extend an invitation to your Mayor (and invite them to speak).
- Ensure your UNA-USA Regional Representatives are aware of your events (and invite them when possible).
- Invite a UNA-USA Global Goals Ambassador to speak virtually or record a customized message.
- Outreach to your region’s Diplomat-in-Residence (a network of State Dept. staff across the country).
Submit your chapter's UN Day event to be posted on the UNA-USA events calendar.
Honor a Person/Present an Award
A great way to honor and thank people for making a difference in your community is to honor them at your chapter’s UN Day event. We suggest that you choose someone — a member, community leader, or volunteer — who is making an impact on a global goal at the local level.
Tips for honoring the awardee at your event:
- If you expect your awardee to give remarks, let them know in advance, and let them know how long they are expected to speak
- If you plan to introduce your awardee, make sure you have their most recent bio and an accurate description of their work
- When introducing the individual, explain how their contributions to your community connect to the UN’s mission and the SDGs
- Customize the certificate template (using Canva) to present to the awardee by mail or by email (Download the certificate template here)
Host a Parade of Flags
Use our "How to host a parade of flags" guide!
Host a Fundraiser
Use our "How to fundraise on a $0 budget" guide which includes the following:
- Choosing what to fundraise for
- When to start planning
- Free spaces to gather
- How to promote
- Fundraising ideas
Awareness Building Activities
- Host a book discussion: connect your community to the UN through reading. Select a fiction, nonfiction or children’s book centered around a UN agency or campaign and hold a discussion.
- Host a coffee chat or potluck: invite your friends, colleagues and neighbors to your home to discuss a UN agency. (Example: UNHCR to discuss the global refugee crisis and have everyone bring a dish from a country where refugees are fleeing).
- Host a SDG Community Needs Assessment. Please see SDG Community Assessment here.
- Request a Mayoral Proclamation. Here is a Guide on how to do this.
- During UNA's +1 Campaign leading up to UN Day (September 24-October 24), encourage each of your chapter members to share with a friend or family member why the UN matters to them. Then have that friend or family member become a UNA-USA member!
Advocacy Actions
Make sure your Members of Congress hear from you! By signing a petition or making a phone call with UNA-USA, your message is automatically directed to both of your Senators and your Representative. Congressional staff members count how many messages or calls their office receives on each issue and develop a response accordingly. Don’t let your lawmakers say, 'I never heard from my constituents about UN funding or humanitarian aid.' Take action now!
Media Resources
For pre-made ready to go graphics please download below!
Check out the editable Canva graphics for easy personalization. If you don't already have a Canva account, it is free to make an account.
For your event, check out the editable slide show template.
Feel free to use the short video attached for your UN Day event. The video briefly discusses why the UN is for US!
- Make sure to tag UNA-USA and use #USAforUN so our team can amplify!
- Tag Instagram: @una.usa
- Tag Twitter: @unausa
Suggested Social Media Messages
Sample Language for Instagram/Facebook Social Media Post:
1. 🌐🎉 UN Day 2024 is on October 24! This annual day commemorates the founding of the United Nations on October 24, 1945. This year, UNA-USA highlights the theme "UN for US" Now more than ever, let's support and advocate for the UN's crucial mission. Join us in celebrating, honoring, and advocating for the UN! #UNDay2024 #USAforUN
2. 📅🌍 October 24 marks UN Day 2024! Since 1945, this day honors the creation of the United Nations. UNA-USA's theme this year is "UN for US" It's a reminder of how vital it is to support and champion the UN's mission. Celebrate, honor, and advocate with us! #UNDay2024 #USAforUN
3. 🕊️✨ UN Day 2024 is on October 24! This special day commemorates the UN's founding on October 24, 1945. UNA-USA's theme, "UN for US" underscores the importance of supporting and advocating for the UN. Join us in celebrating, honoring, and advocating for this vital global organization! #UNDay2024 #USAforUN
Sample Language for X Social Media Post
1. Every year, October 24 commemorates the founding of the United Nations. This year, UNA-USA highlights the theme "UN for US" Now more than ever, let's support and advocate for the UN's crucial mission. #UNDay2024 #USAforUN
2. Since 1945, October 24, honors the creation of the United Nations. UNA-USA's UN Day theme this year is "UN for US"; a reminder of how vital it is to support & champion the UN's mission. Celebrate, honor, and advocate with us! #UNDay2024 #USAforUN
3. October 24, 2024 is UN Day! This special day commemorates the UN's founding on October 24, 1945. UNA-USA's theme, "UN for US" underscores the importance of supporting & advocating for the UN. Celebrate, honor & advocate for the UN with US! #USAforUN
Sample Language for LinkedIn:
1. Mark your calendars for October 24, 2024! This significant day commemorates the founding of the United Nations on October 24, 1945, a milestone that has profoundly shaped our world. Each year, we come together to honor this pivotal organization and its mission to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.
This year, The United Nations Association of the United States of America proudly highlights the theme "UN for US." This theme resonates deeply as it emphasizes the essential role of the UN in our daily lives, in our communities, and across the globe. It underscores the idea that the United Nations is not just an international entity but a vital institution that impacts us all.
In today's rapidly changing world, the UN's mission is more crucial than ever. From addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development to ensuring human rights and providing humanitarian aid, the UN's work is indispensable. The challenges we face are global, and so must be our solutions.
Join us in championing the cause and showing the world that we stand united for a better future. Together, we can support the United Nations in its quest to create a more just, peaceful, and equitable world.
#UNDay2024 #USAforUN #UNForUS #GlobalGoals #UnitedNations #SustainableDevelopment
2. October 24, 2024 marks the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations on October 24, 1945. Each year, we recognize this influential organization and its mission to uphold international peace and security, foster friendly relations among nations, encourage global cooperation, and coordinate efforts worldwide.
This year, the United Nations Association of the United States of America is proud to highlight the theme "UN for US," emphasizing the UN's vital role in our everyday lives and communities. The UN's work is crucial, addressing climate change, promoting sustainable development, protecting human rights, and providing humanitarian aid.
Join us in celebrating, honoring, and advocating for the UN's essential mission. Your support can make a real impact. Whether by participating in local events, engaging in discussions, or spreading the word, every action helps.
#UNDay2024 #USAforUN #UNForUS #GlobalGoals #UnitedNations #SustainableDevelopment