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.
​
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.

By Iesha Baldwin, Vice President of Membership
​
​Last month in New York City, I had the privilege of attending the Unstoppable Africa event convened by the African Union and the UN Global Compact as part of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Representing Spelman College as Sustainability Lead and serving on the Board of the United Nations Association of Atlanta, I was inspired by the scale, ambition, and collaboration happening to advance sustainable development across the African continent and within the diaspora.

The event brought together leaders, innovators, and changemakers from every sector, including government, business, civil society, and academia, to discuss strategies for sustainable economic growth, climate action, and social development. What struck me most was the power of collective action and how partnerships rooted in shared purpose can accelerate impact and create opportunities for communities across Africa and beyond.

​For those of us in the African diaspora, events like these are a reminder of our critical role in shaping sustainable futures. From education and workforce development to climate action and entrepreneurship, there are countless ways we can contribute, whether by mentoring, investing, volunteering, or advocating for policies that support equitable growth.

At Spelman College, we are already seeing the impact of this work through initiatives that connect students to green infrastructure careers, sustainability projects, and international partnerships. My experience in New York City reinforced that our local efforts are part of a global movement, and that the African diaspora has a unique voice and responsibility in advancing these goals.

I encourage anyone passionate about sustainability to get involved, whether through professional networks, local projects, or global initiatives. Together, we can ensure that sustainable development is not just a goal but a shared reality for communities across the African diaspora and the world.

If you are passionate about sustainable development, consider becoming a member of the United Nations Association of Atlanta. We host events that align with UN principles, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing meaningful ways to get involved, connect with like-minded changemakers, and take action for a more sustainable world. 

By Tracy Gray, President

Delivering the welcome address to over 1,000 high school students at the 26th Annual Georgia Tech Model United Nations (GTMUN) Conference was both inspiring and deeply affirming. Standing before so many bright, curious young minds—each eager to engage in diplomacy and global problem-solving—reminded me of why programs like GTMUN are so essential.

In my remarks, I encouraged students to see their GTMUN experience not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of a lifelong pathway of global citizenship. I shared how the United Nations Association (UNA-USA), through chapters like ours in Atlanta and across the nation, offers the next step for those who wish to stay connected to the ideals of the United Nations after high school. UNA chapters welcome students, professionals, and community members to continue learning, advocating, and leading for peace, human rights, and sustainable development.

What moved me most was the energy in the room, the sense that this generation is ready to take up the challenge. As I told them, the UN’s future depends on their creativity and courage. Today, I left Georgia Tech confident that our global future is in capable and compassionate hands.