UN & Global Affairs Committee

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Our Mission:

To advance UNA Boulder County’s mission by curating and convening high-quality programming, dialogue, and analysis on UN issues, global affairs, and international human rights topics: helping our community stay informed, engaged, and connected to the world.

Group of eight people standing in front of a purple backdrop with logos, some wearing black T-shirts with yellow text, at an event or film center.
A panel discussion at the Shadow Game post-screening event, hosted by Amy Bryant, with five people seated on stage in front of an audience.
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Connection to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)!

Our work directly advances:

SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being): Raising funds for the Kellermann Foundation to expand medical services in Uganda, improving health outcomes in underserved communities.

SDG 4 (Quality Education): Making complex global topics accessible to all through programming, briefs, and public dialogue.

SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Supporting refugee families, advocating for marginalized communities, and promoting equitable access to resources and advocacy.

SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Promoting informed dialogue on global governance, human rights, and advocacy for equity.

SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Building connections between local audiences and international issues, including refugee support and cross-community collaboration.

Green background with white text that says '3 GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING' and a white heartbeat line with a heart symbol.
Red background with white icon of an open book and a pencil. The text reads '4 Quality Education'.
A graphical representation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, which promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions. The image features a white dove holding an olive branch, set against a blue background with the text '16 PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS'.
Pink background with white text and symbols that read "10 Reduced Inequalities" and an arrow pointing upward with four lines in the middle.
Graphic with the number 17 and the text 'Partnerships for the Goals' on a dark blue background, featuring an abstract interconnected circular pattern.

How We Bring This to Life:

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We help UNA-BC remain a trusted local hub for global awareness by identifying gaps in services within our community and abroad where we can promote awareness, equity, and human rights advocacy. That means:

UN Day: Our signature annual event celebrating the UN’s founding, featuring community education, keynote speakers, and connections between global issues and local action.

Topic Research & Briefs: We identify timely, credible UN and SDG-connected topics and frame them for local relevance; turning complex global issues into accessible community conversations.

Speaker & Panel Events: We curate and convene experts, academics, and practitioners to share perspectives on UN priorities, human rights, and emerging global challenges.

Refugee Sponsorship & Direct Support: We’ve sponsored a refugee family from Afghanistan, connecting them to food, clothing, legal navigation support, and ongoing resources; helping ease the stress of a new culture, language barriers, and an unfamiliar system.

Global Health Fundraising: We raise funds for the Kellermann Foundation to expand medical services in Uganda, making a tangible financial impact where it’s making a difference.

Issue Framing: We produce topic briefs and discussion guides that help community members understand why global issues matter, right here in Colorado.

Cross-Committee Collaboration: We work closely with Education & Learning on program design and with Communications on promotion to ensure our events reach and resonate with the community.

Events

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Past Events & Initiatives:

  • UN Day 2024: Featured a community education panel and keynote speakers from the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking, raising awareness about trafficking in Colorado.

  • UN Day 2025 (UN80): Celebrated the 80th anniversary of the United Nations with an intimate event connecting high-level global commitments to local “boots on the ground” work

  • UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Panel: Hosted a virtual panel discussion featuring speakers accelerating gender equality and empowering women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions with a gender lens.

  • Documentary Screenings: Presented “Shadow Games"“(2024) at the SIE Film Center in Denver, a documentary showing the “dark side” of Europe through the eyes of young boys seeking refuge; and “My Sweet Land” (2024) in partnership with the CU Armenian Association.

  • Afghan Refugee Family Sponsorship: Successfully sponsored a refugee family from Afghanistan, connecting them to food, clothing, legal navigation support, and ongoing community resources: helping them feel relief from the stress of navigating a new culture, societal norms, and language barriers.

  • Bill Kellogg Speaker Series (collaboration): Supported monthly public programming at the Boulder Public Library featuring experts on UN-aligned topics.

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Upcoming Events & Initiatives:

  • UN Day 2026: Planning the next annual celebration: theme and details coming soon!

  • Kellermann Foundation Fundraiser: An fundraising event to increase the availability of medical services in Uganda, supporting global health and community well-being.

  • Emerging Issues Programming: Developing programs on timely global topics, from climate and security to human rights and multilateral reform.

  • Discussion Series Expansion: Growing our roster of expert speakers and panelists from Colorado and beyond.

  • Topic Brief Library: Building a collection of accessible, one-page briefs on key UN and global affairs issues for community education.

  • CSW 2026: Planning continued engagement with the Commission on the Status of Women, including panels and community discussions.

Curious about the world? Passionate about the UN?

If you’re a global affairs buff, a thoughtful listener, or someone who just wants to understand how the world works, we’d love to have you on the UN & Global Affairs team. Help us bring the world to Colorado: one conversation at a time. Click “Join Now” below to connect!

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Our Commitees

Advocacy | Communications & Digital | Education & Learning | Membership & Community Engagement | UN & Global Affairs