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About the Friends of the U.N.

Founded in 1985, Friends of the United Nations is an independent, non-partisan organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the United Nations' activities. We work with educational institutions, corporations, the media, the international governments and other organizations to inform and educate people about the U.N.'s efforts on behalf of peace, human rights, the environment, children and responsible economic development.

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Friends of the United Nations acts as a consultant to the United Nations Department of Public Information. Through our expansive network of resources, we help the U.N. distribute its messages, by:

Holding briefings about U.N. activities for opinion-makers helping U.N. agencies develop outreach programs.
Informing and educating the general public about U.N. programs and initiatives.
Connecting individuals, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) on U.N. issues.

Our mission is to encourage individuals to learn about the U.N.'s efforts and be inspired to help the U.N.'s goals.

The United Nations (U.N.) is a vitally important organization in today's global society. It can only achieve its objectives if citizens worldwide are aware of and support its activities.

How Friends of the U.N. helps: Friends of the U.N. assists the U.N.'s public information office in a variety of ways. In the last few years, we:

Developed educational outreach programs for high schools and universities.
Distributed U.N. publications and videos to educational institutions, legislators, the media, key opinion makers and NGOs.
Sponsored briefings in New York, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles for opinion- leaders, including editorial boards of news organizations, political leaders, and trade union officials.
Helped establish a relationship between the U.N. and the media and entertainment
industries to get the U.N.'s message out to a wider audience.
Initiated awareness programs celebrating the 40th, 45th and 50th anniversaries of the U.N.
Helped other NGOs, including U.N.A.-U.S.A. (United Nations Association of the United States); the YWCA; SGI (Soka Gakkai, a lay Buddhist organization); and the League of Women Voters, develop U.N. support programs.

Officers and Board of Directors
President: Dr. Noel J. Brown
Executive Vice President: Irv Sarnoff
Nickolai Parker
Sherrill Kazan
Audrey Kittagava
Shamina De Gonzaga

Chapters
FOUN - Japan, Director - Mrs. Hitomi Tokuda
FOUN – Georgia, Director – Ms. Rusudan Grigolia
FOUN - Barbados/Eastern Caribbean - Director, Mr. Ken Jordan
FOUN - Asia Pacific - Mr. Tendo Oto - Executive Director
Dr. Noel Brown: Board of Directors
Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury: Board of Directors
Mr. Shizuo Nakamura : (CPA, Japan) Board of Directors
Mr. Takahiro Kanamori: Board of Directors
Mr. Shinichiro Kadota: Liaison Officer.

Special Representatives
International Affairs: Alicia Quaini
Programs & Operations: Young Leaders Initiative - Deborah Moldow – Coordinator

Here's what people say about Friends of the U. N.

"It is only with the support of an informed world public that the U.N. can achieve international peace and security, social and economic justice and international cooperation. Your organization has contributed to these ends and gives important assistance to us in these endeavours."
--Therese P. Sevigny, former Under-Secretary-General for Public Information.

My first encounter with Friends of the U.N. dates back to the mid-80s, when the United Nations' standing with the U.S. government and the public at large was at an historic low.. Friends of the U.N.'s dynamic initiatives aimed at renewing American commitment to the world organization could not have been more timely or more helpful."
--Michael Stopford, former Director, U.N. Information Center

"U.N.E.S.C.O. greatly appreciates the contribution of Friends of the U.N. in support of our Tolerance programs. Friends of the U.N. not only supports our work, but has been instrumental in raising considerable funds to promote Tolerance projects worldwide."
--Dr. Thomas R. Forstenzer, Executive Officer, U.N.E.S.C.O.

Friends of the U.N. needs your support. For more information on our organization, or to make a contribution, please write to us:

Friends of the United Nations
1507 Stanford #5
Santa Monica, CA 90404

or contact us at: (310) 453-8489.

Friends of the U.N. is a non-governmental organization associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information. It is a nonprofit, tax-exempt (501 C-3) organization. Contributions are taxdeductible.

Friends of the U.N. is an affiliate of the UNA-USA Council of Organizations.