These United Nations...
The United Nations Youth and Student Association (UNYSA) is the youth wing of the United Nations Association, we have branches at schools and universities all over the UK along with nearly 500 non-branch members. We have nearly 2000 members in the UK predominately aged 26 and under.
UNYSA is unique in its position as a critical friend to the United Nations and is a vital source for UN information for its youth and student members. Our unofficial slogan 'be sad, be angry, be passionate but don't be silent" really encapsulates the ideals of UNYSA to see young people stand up and be counted in support or educated criticism of international politics and relations as they operate through the UN.
Our branches are semi-autonomous and can operate activities such as talks and fundraising within our specific campaign areas or can join up with other local campaign groups to raise awareness on issues.
UNYSA is governed by a constitution which was passed by the UNA Board. This constitution governs all of our procedures. UNYSA is managed by the National Youth Assembly which is comprised of elected Representatives of branches and regions and individual members the Assembly decides upon the broader policy of UNYSA and guides the smaller governing body referred to as the Youth Council. Constitutionally a new Youth Council are elected every year at our Annual Conference whilst some roles are retained they are no longer voting members. This enables us to be progressive but also to build on past work. The Youth Council meets at least four times a year (but usually at least six) and keeps in touch between meetings by e-mail.
Any member of UNYSA can run for election onto the Youth Assembly or the Youth Council and voting is managed by regional representation and individual representation.
All of those people on the Assembly and the Youth Council of UNYSA are volunteers. UNYSA has one paid member of staff based at UNA head office in Whitehall who is currently only two days a week.
UNYSA was reinvigorated approximately 3 years ago at a time when membership to UNA and to many other charitable membership organisations was diminishing a constitution was drafted and things began to pick up pace, before long our Annual Conference was able to attract over 100 members and provide excellent speakers and resources. In the past year and a half our membership has almost doubled and we have expanded into school groups as well as university groups. Furthermore on the campaigning front we have had unprecedented success having worked with the FCO when it wanted to consult with young people UNYSA lobbied the FCO to send youth delegates to the United Nations as many nations around the world did. Very quickly this process went from an idea to a proposal to a full-blown joint project. The FCO agreed to send three UK youth delegates to the UN this year and UNYSA acted as a key partner during the advertisement, selection and consultation processes which ran this year. This has proven to be an excellent demonstration of the huge impact are small but dynamic youth organisation has had since its revitalisation only three years ago.
UNYSA through the commitment of its members is able to offer the following:
• Help with careers/internships.
• Speakers
• Events help and ideas.
• Resources on a huge range of issues.
• Competitions and fantastic opportunities with the UN and other international bodies.
• Opportunities to respond to UN issues through our University Branches and run exciting and individual projects.
• Dialogue with the United Nations.
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