Who we are?

The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) is a global nonprofit organization representing and coordinating a membership of over 100 national United Nations Associations (UNAs) and their thousands of constituents.

About WFUNA

Guided by our vision of a United Nations that is a powerful force in meeting common global challenges and opportunities, WFUNA works to strengthen and improve the United Nations by engaging global citizens.

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Our Vision, Mission & Beliefs

Our Vision

A United Nations that is a powerful force in meeting common global challenges and opportunities.

Our Mission

We work to build a better world by strengthening and improving the United Nations through the engagement of people who share a global mindset and support international cooperation–global citizens.

What We Believe

We believe that peoples’ involvement in all levels of local, national and global decision-making is essential in order to achieve the goals of the United Nations.

What We Value

Impact

We value performance and results. We set and hold ourselves accountable to high standards.

Respect

We listen to and learn from our constituents, partners, funders, and one another. We value diverse perspectives and strive to incorporate them in our work.

Empowerment

We believe in the power of knowledge and its capacity to mobilize human beings to create a better world.

Collaboration

We work as a team within WFUNA and with our partners. We share ideas and try to align our efforts with those of others who are dedicated to the goals of the United Nations.

Innovation

We seek original approaches for achieving our goals, taking advantage of creative communication for our outreach.

Passion

We are committed to making a difference. We strive for what can be; we do not settle for what is.

Governance

WFUNA’s constitution was signed and entered into force in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on August 2, 1946 by 22 founding members, the United Nations Associations of the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America. This founding document outlines the organization’s governance structure.

Constitution and Bylaws

Leadership & Executive Committee

WFUNA’s leadership is composed of heads of UNAs that have been elected by the Plenary Assembly, held every three years. The roles include President, Vice-Presidents (6), Secretary-General, Treasurer and Executive Committee (18 members). The Executive Committee elects its own Chair and Vice Chairs (2). The Plenary Assembly may also confer the title of Honorary President upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee.

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Secretariat

WFUNA’s Secretariat is composed of three global offices located in New York, Geneva, and Seoul. WFUNA offers exceptional opportunities for talented individuals who share a commitment to advancing the cause of global cooperation through a strengthened United Nations system.

WFUNA’s Team

Recent Activities

“This is the time for the largest global network connecting people to the United Nations to fight for what we so profoundly believe in. This is the time for Civil Society champions to take action. ‘Since wars begin in the minds of [people], it is in the minds of [people] that the defences of peace must be constructed.’ This is a time to build those defences with our Federation and its Associations standing at the forefront of the endeavour.” — Aziel Goulandris, WFUNA’s Secretary-General, 43rd Plenary Assembly

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History

The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) was founded in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on 2 August 1946. Ever since, WFUNA has been the largest global organization with the primary mission of supporting the principles and purposes of the United Nations. WFUNA’s founders had extensive experience in international cooperation and were aware of the fundamental importance of public understanding of the role of the United Nations in shaping international relations. We’re celebrating more than 75 years of connecting people to the work of the United Nations.

Transparency & Accountability

We maintain a high level of accountability and transparency as set out in our Constitution & Bylaws as well as through the Guidelines for Financial Management Policy approved by the 196th WFUNA Executive Committee. Our finances and audits are prepared according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) ensuring we consistently meet best practice standards.

WFUNA News & Events

Global Citizenship

2024 Global Youth Impact Hackathon

Who we are?

About WFUNA

Want to join our network?

Our Vision, Mission & Beliefs

Our Vision

Our Mission

What We Believe

What We Value

Impact

Respect

Empowerment

Collaboration

Innovation

Passion

Governance

Leadership & Executive Committee

Secretariat

Recent Activities

History

Transparency & Accountability

WFUNA News & Events

2024 Global Youth Impact Hackathon

New Strategic Partnership for Training Programs

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Woodward of the UK

Global Model WHO Youth Delegates Urge Swift Action on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response

Message from WFUNA Secretary-General on UN Day 2024

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Baeriswyl of Switzerland

Citypreneurs 2024 Gyeonggi Start-up Competition

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Zbogar of Slovenia

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Kanu of Sierra Leone

College Leaders at the United Nations: 2024 Summer

Training Programs at the UN Attract More Students than Ever Before

Global Citizenship International Exchange Program Launch

WFUNA Participates in the 2024 Geneva Trialogue – Open Innovation for Education at ITU WSIS Forum

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Afonso of Mozambique

UN Security Council 2024 Election Briefing

WFUNA and 14 UNAs Attend 2024 United Nations Civil Society Conference

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Vanessa Frazier of Malta

WFUNA Delivered 12 Youth and Advanced Training Programs at the UN

WIMUN New York : February 3-6, 2025

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana

UN Security Council Exit Briefing Featured Albania’s 2022-2023 Term

Global College Startup Impact Hackathon

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière of France

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Andrés Efren Montalvo Sosa of Ecuador

2023 Leadership Training Program in Partnership with AUAP

43rd WFUNA Plenary Assembly Held in Georgia

WFUNA Leadership Discusses Vision for the Future

Message from WFUNA Secretary-General on UN Day 2023

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Norberto Moretti of Brazil

Under the Starry Sky: Sailing Towards Sustainable Change

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Ferit Hoxha of Albania

Youth Training Program at the UN: Summer 2023

Historic resolution on Model UN adopted by the UN General Assembly

Under the Starry Sky Project Updates

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Dame Barbara Woodward

UN SDGs, AI, and the Future of Legal Professions Event

Citypreneurs Ulsan 2023

Seventh Citypreneurs Held in Ulsan

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière of France

UN Security Council 2023 Election Briefing Series

WFUNA Partners with SpareBank to Launch Program to Advance the SDGs

Under the Starry Sky Launch Workshop

Global Citizenship Lecture for CAMPUS Asia Program Participants

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Hoxha of Albania

Meeting of the President of the General Assembly with NGOs

Annual Meeting of Director-General of the United Nations with NGOs

Exchange with Mr. Volker Türk, Under-Secretary-General for Policy

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Costa Filho of Brazil

WFUNA Peace Fellows Programme 2022 Summer

2022 Asia-Pacific Regional Policy Dialogue

College Leaders at the United Nations: Korea 2022 Summer

2022 UN Youth Environmental Conference (UNYEC)

UN Peace Talks 2022

WFUNA and WHO Announce Partnership

15th International Career Fair

WFUNA Donates Computers to Students in the Dominican Republic

College Leaders at the United Nations: Korea Summer 2023

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Pedro Comissario Afonso Of Mozamique

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Vanessa Frazier of Malta

WIMUN New York : February 3-6, 2025