by Tracy Gray, VP of Advocacy
The 2023 United for Impact, Leadership Summit, and Capitol Hill Lobby Day was an empowering and transformative experience for the UNA-Atlanta members. Representing the Atlanta Chapter in Washington, DC, June 4th through June 6th, we joined 250 UNA-USA volunteer members from across the nation; we joined forces to advocate for total funding of the United Nations, Peacekeeping, the UN Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG), and World Refugee Day. This significant event united us in our shared vision for a better world.
Joining 250 UNA-USA members from around the nation representing 200,000 members included attendees from UNA-ATL, Dr. Selen Beduk, President, UNA-ATL; Tracy Gray, VP of Advocacy; Ikoie Norman, VP of Fundraising; Emmanuel Adeyemi, Member, and Caleb Outlar, Student Member.
Joining 250 UNA-USA members from around the nation representing 200,000 members included attendees from UNA-ATL, Dr. Selen Beduk, President, UNA-ATL; Tracy Gray, VP of Advocacy; Ikoie Norman, VP of Fundraising; Emmanuel Adeyemi, Member, and Caleb Outlar, Student Member.
From Left to Right: Emmanuel Adeyemi (UNA-ATL), Rachel Pittman (Executive Director, UNA-USA), Dr. Selen Beduk (UNA-ATL), Tracy Gray (UNA-ATL)
During the Summit, our Atlanta delegation was privileged to engage in positive and constructive meetings with Legislative Appropriation Aids of esteemed representatives and senators. We met with the Appropriations staff of Rep. Rich McCormick (R), GA-06, Rep. Nikema Williams (D), GA-05, Rep. David Scott (D), GA-13, Sen. John Ossoff (D), GA, and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D), GA. Through these meetings, we passionately conveyed the importance of their senators and representatives supporting the United Nations and Peacekeeping initiatives, sharing compelling facts and success stories.
The overwhelming support from the American public inspired our advocacy efforts. According to recent surveys, 69% of voters believe the UN is still crucial today, and 74% agree that the U.S. should collaborate with allies and international organizations to achieve foreign policy goals. These statistics reinforce our conviction that our advocacy work is making a difference.
The overwhelming support from the American public inspired our advocacy efforts. According to recent surveys, 69% of voters believe the UN is still crucial today, and 74% agree that the U.S. should collaborate with allies and international organizations to achieve foreign policy goals. These statistics reinforce our conviction that our advocacy work is making a difference.
Meeting with Congressman Nikema Williams Representative.
From Left to Right: US Rep. Rich McCormick; Caleb Outlar, UNA-ATL Student Member; Emmanuel Adeyemi, UNA-ATL Member; Tracy Gray, UNA-ATL VP of Advocacy
We highlighted the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping missions, which have been proven to reduce violence and save civilian lives during civil wars. These missions are eight times more cost-effective than deploying U.S. troops and foster global burden-sharing, with contributions from over 120 countries. We reminded our representatives that the U.S. provides only 35 soldiers out of more than 73,000 personnel, emphasizing the need for increased support.
We shared success stories demonstrating the impact of UN initiatives. For instance, through the UN-led Black Sea Grain Initiative, over 30 million tons of grain and agricultural products have been delivered, benefiting countries from Kenya to Bangladesh. Additionally, global efforts, spearheaded by the U.S. and UN agencies, have produced over 1.85 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses in 146 countries. These achievements exemplify the tangible outcomes that can be realized through our collective action.
To encourage our UNA-ATL members to continue advocating and contacting their Congressional Representatives, I offer the following inspiring words that apply to our Atlanta Chapter Members United for Impact by the 2023 UNA-USA Leadership Summit:
We shared success stories demonstrating the impact of UN initiatives. For instance, through the UN-led Black Sea Grain Initiative, over 30 million tons of grain and agricultural products have been delivered, benefiting countries from Kenya to Bangladesh. Additionally, global efforts, spearheaded by the U.S. and UN agencies, have produced over 1.85 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses in 146 countries. These achievements exemplify the tangible outcomes that can be realized through our collective action.
To encourage our UNA-ATL members to continue advocating and contacting their Congressional Representatives, I offer the following inspiring words that apply to our Atlanta Chapter Members United for Impact by the 2023 UNA-USA Leadership Summit:
- "There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." — Beverly Sills
- "It's not about perfect. It's about effort." — Jillian Michaels
- "Believe you can, and you're halfway there." — Theodore Roosevelt
- "You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them." — Michael Jordan
- "Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." — John Wooden
Let these words remind us that our efforts are vital and impactful. Together, we can shape a future where peace, justice, and sustainable development prevail. As we continue our advocacy journey, let us draw inspiration from the Summit's success and the power we hold as advocates for positive change.
From Left to Right: Abby Finkenauer, United States Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues; Tracy Gray, UNA-ATL VP of Advocacy
From Left to Right: Christopher Lu, Ambassador to the United Nations; Tracy Gray, UNA-ATL VP of Advocacy
