By Tracy Gray, President

Thank you all for joining us at the celebration of the United Nations International Volunteer Day, held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the Sara J Gonzalez Memorial Park, at the 6th Annual Winter Resource Fair!
Created, hosted, and inspired by Mayor Andre Dickens and the Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs-Welcoming Atlanta, the event was an incredible success.

With more than 275 families in attendance, this year’s celebration became one of the most meaningful and impactful community events to date. Because of the inspiration, leadership, and support of Atlanta, GA, Mayor Andre Dickens, the joy was unmistakable—families connecting, children laughing, and volunteers working in harmony to uplift our neighbors in the true spirit of the United Nations’ International Volunteer Day.

The United Nations Association of the United States of America, Atlanta Chapter (UNA-ATL) was honored to join the event as a community partner, standing alongside the Atlanta Mayor’s Office and more than 38 dedicated partner organizations, including 14 tabling partners. As President of UNA-ATL, I was proud to join the Mayor’s Office at this event because we believe deeply in the power of community-centered collaborations that advance dignity, opportunity, and well-being for all Atlantans. The Winter Resource Fair is a shining example of how local action can drive global progress.

This year’s Fair strongly reflected several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a shared blueprint for peace, prosperity, and a sustainable future. Specifically, the event embodied:
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• SDG 1: No Poverty – by providing 2,700 pounds of groceries and essential resources to families.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being – through free health screenings and wellness support.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – by strengthening inclusive, resilient community networks.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – through trusted community engagement and safe access to vital services.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – demonstrated by the remarkable collaboration of partners, volunteers, and city leadership.

The SDGs serve as a global roadmap for building stronger, healthier, and more equitable communities—values that align seamlessly with the City of Atlanta's growth, vibrancy, and diverse needs. UNA-ATL is committed to ensuring that our city’s progress reflects global best practices, local compassion, and shared responsibility.

We are also grateful for the incredible volunteer spirit that powered the day. From setting up tents to organizing toys, assisting families, unloading food deliveries, and keeping the event running smoothly, your dedication made possible the distribution of 800 toys, the engagement of 35 volunteers, the joy of 318 soccer balls kicked, and even a festive hour of mariachi music to close out the celebration.

Congratulations to the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs-Welcoming Atlanta, Executive Director, Paulina Guzman, Community Navigator Coordinator, Pilar Baca, and the entire team at the Mayor’s office for hosting an outstanding and deeply impactful event.
 
Your leadership continues to strengthen Atlanta’s commitment to inclusivity, service, and community resilience. UNA-ATL is proud to stand with you on this shared mission and looks forward to continuing our partnership in the months ahead.

Today, we invite you to stand with the UNA–Atlanta community in advancing the work of the United Nations right here at home. Your Giving Tuesday gift directly supports our mission to educate, inspire, and mobilize Atlantans around global issues—from human rights and climate action to public health and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Every contribution, no matter the size, strengthens our advocacy, our programming, and our ability to build a more informed and engaged global community.
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Join us in making a meaningful impact.

Give today and help amplify Atlanta’s voice for a better world.

On this Veterans Day, UNA-Atlanta proudly honors you—the courageous men and women who have served our country with dedication and integrity in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Your commitment to peace, service, and the protection of human dignity mirrors the values we uphold through our work supporting the United Nations and its mission. We are grateful for your service, inspired by your example, and dedicated to ensuring your voices and contributions are recognized and celebrated—today and every day.

We also recognize the Atlanta community’s efforts to support and uplift veterans, from local ceremonies to initiatives that honor your contributions. These gatherings reflect the deep gratitude of our city and give public recognition to your service.

Thank you for your dedication and for reminding us that peace is something we must work to preserve every day. 
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Take a moment today to celebrate your legacy and know that your service enriches both our city and our nation.

There’s still time to register for the 2025 UNA-USA Leadership Summit! The Leadership Summit is UNA-USA's annual flagship event that brings together student and community leaders from across the country for three days of networking, learning, and action.

This year’s theme, “Meeting the Moment – Our Moment,” challenges members to embrace leadership and drive community impact amid global challenges. The Summit features keynote speakers, breakout sessions, service project presentations, and the annual UNA-USA Awards celebration.

Unlike the Advocacy Summit held each June in Washington, D.C., the Leadership Summit travels to a new city each year—and in 2025, we’re headed to St. Louis, Missouri!

​Don’t miss your chance to connect, collaborate, and be inspired alongside fellow changemakers from across the nation.

Registration is open until November 13.

By the UNA-Atlanta Communications Team

As communicators, we recognize how artificial intelligence is transforming the way information is created, shared and consumed. From shaping what appears in our news feeds to generating the content we encounter every day, AI continues to influence how people understand the world around them.

This year’s Global Media and Information Literacy Week calls on us to put “Minds Over AI” — ensuring that human ethics, judgment and critical thinking remain at the heart of our digital spaces. Media and information literacy equips individuals to question sources, recognize algorithmic bias and engage responsibly with AI-generated information.

UNA-Atlanta joins the global conversation on strengthening digital literacy and empowering communities to think critically and ethically in an age shaped by automation.

About Global Media and Information Literacy Week
​Each year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) leads Global Media and Information Literacy Week to spotlight the importance of informed, ethical communication in our interconnected world. The observance brings together educators, journalists, policymakers and community leaders to strengthen media and information literacy across societies.
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At its core, the week promotes access to reliable information, encourages critical thinking and empowers people everywhere to engage responsibly in digital spaces. It serves as a reminder that media and information literacy are essential to building more inclusive, peaceful and resilient communities.

Learn more about Global Media and Information Literacy Week.

Learn more about United Nations international days and weeks at United Nations Observances.

By the UNA-Atlanta Communications Team

On Oct. 24, the United Nations Association of Atlanta partnered with the Atlanta Global Studies Center (AGSC) to host a memorable United Nations Day celebration at Georgia State University’s Office of International Initiatives, marking the UN’s 80th anniversary and reaffirming Atlanta’s commitment to global cooperation, peace and sustainability.

Guests were welcomed with a slice of the UN80 cake, beautifully designed in the UN’s signature blue and white, followed by music, networking and photo opportunities with event signage—a joyful prelude to a meaningful afternoon of reflection and dialogue.

Iesha Baldwin, UNA-Atlanta vice president of membership, opened the program and introduced Tracy Gray, president of UNA-Atlanta, who offered welcome remarks and introduced Dr. Ethan Trinh, associate director of the Atlanta Global Studies Center at Georgia State University.

Trinh spoke about how the Atlanta Global Studies Center’s mission aligns with the United Nations’ work in fostering intercultural understanding, global education and research partnerships that connect Atlanta to the world. Trinh's remarks emphasized the importance of education and collaboration in achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. AGSC looks for partnerships and collaboration in and beyond Atlanta to make lasting impacts for and with all. 

Following Trinh’s address, Gray delivered the keynote message, “Celebrating 80 Years Forward,” reflecting on the UN’s enduring vision of peace, equality and shared prosperity. He encouraged attendees to carry the mission of the UN forward by advocating locally for global change.

The program culminated with a Partners in Peace discussion, moderated by Gray and featuring Georgia State University – Perimeter College professors Dr. Deborah Manson, professor of English, and Dr. Joseph Bagley, associate professor of history. Manson and Bagley brought both depth and energy to the celebration, sharing their knowledge of Atlanta’s historic role in international engagement, civil rights and community empowerment. They highlighted the innovative work of the Partners in Peace initiative, an international collaboration coordinated through the Nobel Peace Center that connects academic institutions dedicated to fostering dialogue, understanding and peace worldwide. Their insights sparked engaging dialogue with attendees, emphasizing the ways local initiatives can connect to global goals and demonstrating why Atlanta continues to serve as a model for civic leadership and global collaboration.

To learn more about Georgia State University’s participation in Partners in Peace, see the story from Georgia State News.

As the celebration concluded, attendees were invited to deepen their engagement by joining the United Nations Association of Atlanta, contributing to a growing network of global citizens working to advance peace, human rights and sustainable development.

Together, UNA-Atlanta and its partners celebrated not only 80 years of the United Nations but also Atlanta’s leadership in fostering dialogue, understanding and action for a better world.

To learn more about the Atlanta Global Studies Center, contact Dr. Trinh ([email protected]) or visit the Atlanta Global Studies Center online.

By Tracy Gray, President

The United Nations Association of the USA, Atlanta Chapter, proudly hosted its UN80 Birthday Celebration at Georgia State University's Office of International Initiatives, commemorating 80 years of the United Nations’ enduring mission for peace, development, and human rights.

In my keynote remarks, I reflected on the UN’s remarkable legacy and its urgent mandate to evolve for the 21st century. “The need is great, and the goal is clear,” I emphasized, calling for a stronger, more agile, and accountable UN that delivers for people worldwide.

I highlighted Secretary-General António Guterres’s UN80 Reform Initiative, launched in March 2025, which seeks to strengthen the UN system across three major areas:

1. Efficiency and modernization of management and operations,
2. Mandate implementation to reduce duplication and increase impact, and
3. Structural and program realignments for greater coherence and responsiveness.

These reforms aim to create a UN that is more efficient, responsive to crises, and effective in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—while ensuring accountability and support for UN staff worldwide.

​I also reaffirmed the Atlanta Chapter’s mission to advocate for full U.S. support of UN peacekeeping and funding, noting that “internationalism, empathy, and solidarity are needed now more than ever.”

​The inspiring program set the tone for a year of reflection, recommitment, and collective action—honoring 80 years of global cooperation and envisioning the next 80.

By Iesha Baldwin, Vice President of Membership

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of co-hosting a virtual United Nations Careers Workshop alongside my colleagues and friends at the UN. The event was designed to demystify UN career pathways and inspire more students, especially from Spelman College and other HBCUs, to see themselves as future leaders within the global system.

We welcomed over 300 participants from Atlanta, New York, Washington, D.C., Cape Town, Nairobi, London, Seoul, and beyond. Together, we explored how the UN's Young Professionals Programme (YPP) serves as a pathway to a UN career—connecting the UN's mission to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasizing why diverse voices are essential to building a more sustainable and equitable future.

As the Sustainability Coordinator at Spelman College and a board member of the United Nations Association of Atlanta, this work is deeply personal. I believe that young Black women must not only learn about sustainability but also lead in defining what it means for our communities, our built environment, and the world we experience every day.

When Spelman students engage in conversations like these, they're not just exploring career options—they're envisioning a new world where their leadership transforms systems and enhances the quality of life for people around the globe.

To continue exploring pathways to global impact, I invite you to become a member of UNA-Atlanta. 

To learn more about opportunities to build a career with the United Nations, visit United Nations Careers.

As we prepare to celebrate United Nations Day (October 24th is UN Day), this powerful video reminds us of the enduring relevance of the UN Charter and its vital role in promoting peace, human rights, and global cooperation. We invite you to watch the video and register to join us for UNA-Atlanta's 2025 UN Day celebration.