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.

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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

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

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 global offices are located in New York and Geneva. 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
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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.


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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

Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Sekeris of Greece
Event

UN Security Council Election Briefing: May 21, 2025
Press Release

WFUNA Launches New Model UN Conference in Singapore
Global Citizenship

WFUNA Hosts Youth and Advanced Training Programmes at the United Nations
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Bonnafont of France
Global Citizenship

WFUNA Forms New Partnerships for Training Programs at the UN
Global Citizenship

Howard University Partners with WFUNA
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Lassen of Denmark
Event

WIMUN Singapore : July 14 – 17, 2025
Global Citizenship

2024 Global Youth Impact Hackathon
Press Release

New Strategic Partnership for Training Programs
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Woodward of the UK
Press Release

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

Message from WFUNA Secretary-General on UN Day 2024
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Baeriswyl of Switzerland
Sustainable Development

Citypreneurs 2024 Gyeonggi Start-up Competition
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Zbogar of Slovenia
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Kanu of Sierra Leone
Global Citizenship

College Leaders at the United Nations: 2024 Summer
Global Citizenship

Training Programs at the UN Attract More Students than Ever Before
Global Citizenship

Global Citizenship International Exchange Program Launch
Event

Civil Society Dialogue Series: May 9, 2025
Global Citizenship

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

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Afonso of Mozambique
Peace and Security

UN Security Council 2024 Election Briefing
Sustainable Development

WFUNA and 14 UNAs Attend 2024 United Nations Civil Society Conference
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Vanessa Frazier of Malta
Global Citizenship

WFUNA Delivered 12 Youth and Advanced Training Programs at the UN
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana
Peace and Security

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

Global College Startup Impact Hackathon
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière of France
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Andrés Efren Montalvo Sosa of Ecuador
Global Citizenship

2023 Leadership Training Program in Partnership with AUAP
Press Release

43rd WFUNA Plenary Assembly Held in Georgia
Press Release

WFUNA Leadership Discusses Vision for the Future
Press Release

Message from WFUNA Secretary-General on UN Day 2023
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Norberto Moretti of Brazil
Sustainable Development

Under the Starry Sky: Sailing Towards Sustainable Change
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Ferit Hoxha of Albania
Global Citizenship

Youth Training Program at the UN: Summer 2023
Press Release

Historic resolution on Model UN adopted by the UN General Assembly
Sustainable Development

Under the Starry Sky Project Updates
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Dame Barbara Woodward
Human Rights Global Citizenship

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

Citypreneurs Ulsan 2023
Sustainable Development

Seventh Citypreneurs Held in Ulsan
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière of France
Peace and Security

UN Security Council 2023 Election Briefing Series
Peace and Security Press Release

WFUNA Partners with SpareBank to Launch Program to Advance the SDGs
Peace and Security

Under the Starry Sky Launch Workshop
Global Citizenship

Global Citizenship Lecture for CAMPUS Asia Program Participants
Peace and Security

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Hoxha of Albania
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Meeting of the President of the General Assembly with NGOs
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Annual Meeting of Director-General of the United Nations with NGOs
Uncategorized

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

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Costa Filho of Brazil
Peace and Security

WFUNA Peace Fellows Programme 2022 Summer
Sustainable Development

2022 Asia-Pacific Regional Policy Dialogue
Global Citizenship

College Leaders at the United Nations: Korea 2022 Summer

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Are you part of an organization, foundation or school that wants to help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals? We are always open to collaborating to help connect more people to the UN and empower global citizens.

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