Make a difference.
Being The Change We Want To See In The World
Our Committees
Colorado’s United Nations Association in Boulder has five committees that are dedicated to contributing to and improving social causes across the state. The purpose of these committees is to identify social issues and gaps in services that require our attention. The members of these committees strive to study these causes and look for ways to improve outcomes and support the community in the best possible way. To learn more about our current committees, please click on each one.
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The Advocacy Committee mobilizes our community to advocate for strong U.S. engagement with the United Nations and UN-aligned human rights priorities. We focus on nonpartisan civic action through education and coordinated advocacy. Our work includes coordinating federal in-district meetings with Colorado’s congressional offices, supporting state and local civic engagement on issues connected to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and developing accessible action opportunities like letters to the editor, calls to officials, and public comment preparation. We also offer advocacy trainings, manage a story bank for testimony, and plan our signature International Human Rights Award annual event.
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The Communications & Digital Committee serves as UNA-BC’s communication engine, managing the systems and content that inform, engage, and mobilize our community. We ensure a consistent brand and voice across all platforms by overseeing the website, social media channels, and email newsletters. A key function is maintaining our editorial calendar in coordination with all other committees to promote events, advocacy actions, and programs effectively. We also develop messaging standards, manage digital assets like graphics templates, and share public-facing stories that highlight our chapter’s impact.
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The Education & Learning Committee designs accessible learning experiences that help community members understand the UN, SDGs, and human rights in practical and action-oriented ways. We build UNA-BC's capacity to educate by developing training modules and curricula, coordinating the Bill Kellogg Speaker Series, and creating educational resources like primers and explainers. We also support intergenerational learning by coordinating our engagement with the International Model UN (IMUN) program and creating clear pathways for students.
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The Membership & Community Engagement Committee builds and sustains welcoming pathways for people to move from initial interest into meaningful participation. We act as the organization’s “front door,” managing a clear intake and triage process for all inquiries. Our focus is on creating a warm and informative onboarding experience, connecting new members with clear next steps based on their interests. We also manage volunteer and intern pathways, scoping projects and supporting placements across all committees, and track engagement data to help the chapter learn and improve.
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The UN & Global Affairs Committee advances our mission by curating high-quality programming and dialogue on UN issues and global affairs. We help make UNA-BC a trusted local hub for global awareness by developing public programs, speaker events, and blogs on topics connected to UN priorities and the SDGs. We also provide crucial support for our signature UN Day celebration. The committee focuses on translating complex global issues into locally relevant and accessible content for community audiences.
A snapshot of our recent initiatives
This is just some of what we do; there’s always more in the works!
Monthly Bill Kellogg Speaker Series: Each month, professionals, academics, students, community members… you name it, gather at the Boulder Public Library to share perspectives, dive into research, and explore issues at the heart of the UN’s values and goals. It’s a space for thoughtful discussion, connection, and big ideas. See our blog recap of these discussions here.
UN Day Annual Events: Each year, we explore a different topic through community education. In 2024, we partnered with the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking for a powerful panel and keynote discussion raising awareness about trafficking right here in Colorado. In 2025, we celebrated the 80th anniversary of the United Nations (UN80) with an intimate and impactful event: connecting high-level global commitments to the critical “boots on the ground” work happening in our own communities.
Documentary Screenings: We bring global stories to local audiences through film. In 2024, we screened “Shadow Games” at the SIE Film Center in Denver - a powerful documentary showing the “dark side” of Europe through the eyes and journeys of young boys seeking refuge. In 2025, we partnered with the CU Armenian Student Association to screen Director Sareen Hairabedian’s “My Sweet Land,” a poignant film that follows 11-year-old Vrej, who dreams of a peaceful life in his Artsakh village until war forces his family to flee and ultimately return to a devastated homeland where children are being shaped for future battles; a testament to resilience across generations in a place the world has left unrecognized.
International Human Rights Award: Each year, we honor Colorado individuals or organizations who bring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to life through our annual Human Rights Award Celebration.
Boulder Peace Faire: We’re proud supporters and regular attendees of this beloved community event each year.
Intergenerational Model UN: Starting in 2024, our newest annual initiative brings together local retirement community residents and students to collaborate and compete in Model UN - promoting connection, learning, and fun across generations.
CSW Panel Discussion: We recently hosted a UN Commission on the Status of Women panel featuring incredible speakers who shared insights on accelerating gender equality and empowering women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions with a gender lens.
Global Impact Close to Home: Through our initiatives, we also raise funds for the Kellermann Foundation’s Community Rural Health Project in Uganda, making a tangible financial impact where it’s needed most.
We’re always exploring new ways to educate, connect, and take action. If you have an idea or want to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.