United Nations association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Formed in 1945 out of the League of Nations Union, to "help bring about a just, ordered and lasting peace, and better conditions of life for all mankind" ; office was in London; early leadership included Viscount Cecil, C.R. Attlee, Violet Bonham Carter, Winston Churchill, and Gilbert Murray; in 1946 the name of the organization was expanded to include "of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"; works to ensure that the United Nations is effective, efficient and creative in all the areas on which it focuses its attention.

From the description of United Nations Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland records, 1945- (Swarthmore College, Peace Collection). WorldCat record id: 156802552

The United Nations Association came into being in 1948 with the help of money from the League of Nations Union, which continued as a parallel organisation. After the demise of the League of Nations Union, the UNA took over many of its functions and staff. The UNA describes itself as a "critical fan club of the United Nations" and has always reflected the concerns of the United Nations. Initially, it focussed on the issues of world peace and the danger of war through hunger, and whilst these have remained central issues, the agenda has expanded to include human rights, third world development and the environment as issues of major importance. The range of activities that the UNA undertake has also changed. Initially, it concentrated mainly on lobbying government and meeting civil servants and ministers. However it gradually expanded into campaigning in its own right and educating the public about issues of concern.

Education has become an increasingly significant part of the work of the UNA. It strives to educate the public about the role and activities of the United Nations and how the UNA is involved in these. It also publishes leaflets on various key issues.

The UNA itself is divided into various branches, which are largely independent of the centre, with co-ordinating regional officers who are in touch with both the centre and the branches, committees relating to single issues such as human rights, and a general council which meets once a year to debate issues raised by the branches. Information from the central organisation is sent out to the branches via the Branch Letter and campaign packs are sent out for the annual nationwide UNA campaign. The UNA Trust is the funding arm of the UNA. This body gives grants to projects that conform to the ideals of the UNA and the UN. It is a registered charity. UNA Youth is an organisation that is part of the UNA but has its own constitution and its own structure, which mirrors that of UNA. The UNA is also a members of other organisations that conform to its ideals, such as the National Peace Council.

From the guide to the United Nations Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 1945-1997, (British Library of Political and Economic Science)