© 2025 United Nations Association - Minnesota Chapter
United Nations Association of the USA
Minnesota Chapter
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Dedicated to educating, inspiring and mobilizing Minnesotans to support the principles and vital work of the United Nations and its Agencies.
SPECIAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY EVENT
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Human Rights Day and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Human Rights Day is observed annually around the world on 10 December. It commemorates the anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
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The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 and sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
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As a “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations”, the UDHR is a global blueprint for international, national, and local laws and policies and a bedrock of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
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It is available in 577 languages, from Abkhaz to Zulu, making the UDHR the most translated document in the world.
UNA-MN’s advocacy work for many years has focused on reaching out to the Congressional delegation from Minnesota as well as other leaders and the general public in order to strengthen legislation and positions supporting the mission and agenda of the United Nations.
The underlying assumption for our advocacy efforts is that pro-UN policies and practices by the US government will promote and enhance the economic, diplomatic, and security interests of the United States.
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UNA-MN aligns with the national advocacy agenda as outlined by UNA-USA, and on occasion adds issues we feel strongly about. The UNA-USA office also supplies us with data, information, and web-based solutions to support our efforts.
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Areas of focus for our advocacy efforts include:
1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
2. How is the UN Funded? What you need to know.
3. Increased peace-keeping and peace-building.
4. Nuclear arms control and disarmament.
6. UN Reform.
Whether it’s standing up for human rights, eliminating extreme poverty, putting an end to human trafficking, combating climate change, or protecting refugees, the UN is working to build a brighter future by confronting the planet’s most complex challenges – but it can’t do it alone. While the UN is standing up for the world, we’re standing up for the UN.
Important Article:
The UN is our Best Defense Against a Third World War. Read here.
National Advocacy News
From June 23–24, 2025, 154 UNA-USA advocates from 34 states and Washington, D.C. took to Capitol Hill with one clear mission: to make the case for a strong U.S.–UN partnership. Through 158 Congressional meetings, members of Congress heard directly from their constituents—everyday Americans—about how the United Nations makes the U.S. safer, stronger, and more prosperous. The bipartisan reach of these conversations was broad: 96 Democratic offices, 62 Republican offices, and 1 Independent. This people-powered diplomacy proves that when Americans speak up for global cooperation, their voices are heard.
Advocacy makes a real difference