By Tracy Gray, President of the United Nations Association, Atlanta Chapter
​
I’m deeply grateful for the warm reception at the Redan Community Resources and Yard Party. Speaking to such an engaged and passionate audience was energizing, and I’m proud of the meaningful dialogue we sparked around regenerative neighborhood farming. The success of the speech hinges on our shared understanding: that sustainable change begins at the community level, with informed choices and collective action. Highlighting the documentary Common Ground gave us all a vivid example of how healing the land also heals communities.

For home food gardeners and sustainability advocates, here are three top tips:

1. Start small but grow smart: Use compost, native plants, and crop rotation to enrich soil health.
2. Grow what you eat: Focus on high-yield, low-waste crops that fit your family’s diet.
3. Share and educate: Exchange seeds, knowledge, and harvests with neighbors. Local action amplifies global impact.

​By embracing these habits, we align ourselves with the UN Sustainable Development Goals—especially SDG #12 (Responsible Consumption) and SDG #15 (Life on Land). I encourage everyone to stay connected, keep learning, and continue cultivating both gardens and hope. Together, we’re planting the seeds of a more resilient, sustainable future.

Today, UNA-Atlanta joins the global community in observing the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

Observed under the theme "The Future of Peacekeeping," this year's International Day looks at the invaluable contributions military, police and civilian peacekeepers have made over the last nearly eight decades. Since 1948, more than two million men and women have served under the UN flag in over 70 peace operations. 

On today's observance, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underlined that now more than ever, the world needs the UN, and the UN needs UN peacekeeping. 

​As we honor their legacy, we call on all UNA-Atlanta members and supporters to advocate for continued U.S. funding and support for UN peacekeeping missions. These efforts are essential to global stability and to the protection of civilians in conflict zones around the world.

By Iesha Baldwin, Vice President of Membership

Happy Earth Day! In celebration of Earth Day 2025, the United Nations Association of Atlanta hosted a heartfelt screening of Wall-E, the beloved animated film by The Walt Disney Company, at the Joan P. Garner Library at Ponce De Leon. While it may be categorized as a family film, Wall-E speaks volumes to people of all ages. 

The film offers a gripping, emotional portrayal of a world ravaged by carelessness, overconsumption, and environmental neglect. Through the eyes of a lonely little robot left to clean up Earth’s waste, we’re reminded of just how much damage can be done when we prioritize convenience over care. But more importantly, Wall-E also presents a message of hope. It shows us that with heart, determination, and the help of technology, restoration is possible. Robotics and innovation, when guided by ethical intentions, can become tools for healing both our planet and our relationships with one another.

What truly touched me and made me shed a tear was the atmosphere in the room. The audience was a beautiful blend of cultures, backgrounds, and generations. From curious kindergarteners experiencing the film for the first time to elders who have witnessed firsthand the evolution of our environmental challenges, we sat side by side, laughing, gasping, and reflecting together. In that space, it was clear: this is what our world needs more of. 

We need more moments of shared learning, more intergenerational storytelling, and more opportunities to be in community --connected not only to each other but also to the Earth.

Events like this one serve as reminders that solving our global environmental and social problems requires collective action. No one is too young, too old, or too different to make a difference.

If Wall-E teaches us anything, it’s that it’s never too late to change course. And if today’s audience teaches us anything, it’s that the change we need begins with unity, compassion, and the courage to care.

If you're interested in learning more about how technology can create a better world, I invite you to tune in to the UNA AI & SDG Series. I'll be speaking on May 21st from 6:00 PM to 8:45 PM EST—sharing insights on how artificial intelligence and innovation can support the Sustainable Development Goals.

​RSVP here: UNA Youth Affinity Group AI for SDGs Series Conversation Circles

And if you're passionate about intergenerational communities and want to be part of the UNA-ATL intergenerational family, become a member and attend our events!

Join UNA-Atlanta for a free Earth Day screening of Common Ground — an award-winning documentary that explores the urgent climate crisis through the lens of regenerative agriculture and the farmers working to heal our soil, food system, and future.

This powerful film is a call to action and a celebration of solutions rooted in sustainability, justice, and community resilience.

April 22, 2025
12:00 - 3:00 PM

Manuel's Tavern
602 North Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

The 2025 US-UN Advocacy Summit: Stronger, Safer & More Prosperous Together is your opportunity to raise your voice and help shape the future of U.S. global engagement.
​
At a time when critical UN programs and agencies are facing severe funding cuts, this summit serves as a call to action for advocates who believe in a more just, peaceful, and interconnected world. Whether you're a seasoned UN supporter or just beginning your advocacy journey, this two-day gathering will empower you with the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to make a real impact. Apply TODAY; deadline is April 21st.

Join UNA-Atlanta for a special free Earth Day screening of Wall-E, a heartwarming (and eye-opening!) animated classic about protecting our planet. 

April 21, 2025
4:00 - 7:00 PM 

Joan P. Garner Library at Ponce De Leon
980 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

Bring the whole family for a fun and meaningful evening celebrating Earth Day!

Join UNA-USA for an exclusive briefing featuring Ryan Kehmna, Deputy Director of the Better World Campaign. This important session will explore the latest developments in USAID’s 90-day aid review and proposed budget recissions—what they mean, the legal challenges involved, and how they may reshape U.S. foreign assistance and global engagement moving forward.
​
Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and prepared to advocate for strong U.S. leadership in global development and humanitarian efforts.

Register today to secure your spot!

By Tracy Gray, President of the United Nations Association, Atlanta Chapter

As President of the United Nations Association of the United States of America – Atlanta Chapter, I had the honor of attending the 45th Anniversary commemoration of the Refugee Act at the Carter Center. This extraordinary event, hosted in partnership with the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies and the Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs, was a powerful testament to the enduring impact of the Act on immigrant and refugee communities in Georgia and beyond.

Mayor Andre Dickens set the tone with his resounding message that Atlanta is a beacon of hope, celebrating refugees and welcoming them into safe, healthy, and connected neighborhoods. His vision of a city fostering equality, empowering upward mobility, and ensuring full participation for all residents was inspiring and reaffirming.

Paedia Mixon, CEO of New American Pathways, eloquently highlighted the remarkable contributions of the 27-member Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies in Georgia. She underscored how cities like Atlanta and Clarkston have become hubs of belonging, where refugees establish businesses, cultural organizations, and artistic expressions, enriching the region's diversity and economic vitality.

Mixon passionately brought the message that, like many nonprofits across the country, the 27-member organizations of the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies are facing a devastating challenge: the abrupt pause on federal grants on January 28, 2025. These funds are critical for providing essential services, including emergency housing, food assistance, and the support that helps newly arrived refugees and immigrants achieve self-sufficiency.

The event was further elevated by the presence of Jason Carter, grandson of President Jimmy Carter, who shared deeply personal thoughts on his grandfather's views on helping refugees and the Bible's teachings on assisting a refugee on the road to Damascus, as well as America’s promise of the dream of reaching your full potential.

Carter’s words resonated profoundly as we heard refugees’ firsthand accounts of their journeys—stories from Ahmed Samin Ansari of Afghanistan, Tha Vin of Cambodia, and Aimee Zangandou of Rwanda, which were riveting, raw, and deeply moving. Each refugee’s account was a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice required to leave behind death in search of safety and opportunity.
 
The Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs, Welcoming Atlanta, and more than 27 refugee service organizations joined forces with local consulates to honor this milestone. Their collective efforts embody the promise of America—one that remains strong, inspiring, and heartfelt.

This celebration was more than just a reflection on history; it was a call to action. The Refugee Act continues to shape lives, and as we look to the future, our commitment to ensuring dignity, support, and opportunity for all who seek refuge in our city must remain steadfast.

The Administration in January issued an Executive Order pausing U.S. foreign development assistance to foreign countries, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and contractors. As questions continue to arise about the legality of the order and next steps, a multitude of programs and millions of people are caught in the crosshairs. Read more about the impact of foreign assistance developments HERE.