What is the UN? (and Why You Should Care)
Article written by UNA Coventry volunteer Estelle Marufu, Sociology undergraduate at Coventry University.
If you’re anything like me, the United Nations (UN) might have first entered your consciousness passively, catching glimpses on the news as a child. It might have been a story about the UN’s presence in a war-torn country or a campaign to help children in need. For us millennials, the UN has been a name synonymous with diplomacy and peace.
But let’s be honest.
As we grew older, our information consumption changed. We are fed news relevant to our interests through countless algorithms ensuring we only receive stories we will engage with.With fewer of us tuning in to traditional news, institutions like the UN have arguably struggled to maintain relevance amongst the transitioning generations. Yet, amidst the climate crisis, ongoing conflicts, and inequality, the UN’s work today is more crucial than ever.
So, what is the UN?
A quick Google search will result in something like following. See for example, reference [1].
The one place on Earth where all the world’s nations can come together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity.
It was born in 1945, post World War II to avoid such a conflict arising again. Today, its goals are defined in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs [2]) which aim to reduce and eradicate global issues ranging from poverty, gender equality and climate action.
By this point, you might be wondering, ‘What does this have to do with me?’. But since you have made it this far, I trust you care enough so I will break it down for you.
The UN has influence everywhere we go. You might not have previously realised. The clean air you breathe, the rights you exercise, the multinational efforts to clamp climate change – these are directly connected to the UN’s implemented initiatives. For instance, the UN’s Paris Agreement legally bound countries to proactively tackle climate change [3].
The UN is consistently shaping a more equitable and sustainable world.
However, the UN cannot do it alone. It relies on governments, unity, organisations, and individuals like us.
As a generation that prides itself on being *woke* (young people’s lingo for socially conscious), we have the power to revive and rejuvenate the UN’s work.
The beauty of the UN’s mission is that it’s built on the fundamental belief that change is collective. Here are a few ways you can help:
- Educate Yourself: Have a look at the UN’s SDGs [2]. Pick one that you resonate with and learn how you can support it.
- Get Involved : Participate in activities that align with UN goals, like environmental cleanup groups or food banks in your community, or volunteer with a UNA branch near you [4].
- Use Your Voice: Advocate for global issues and share UN initiatives.
At its core, the UN is about connection. It’s about recognizing the challenges we face – whether in Coventry, Cape Town, or Cancún — and addressing them interconnectedly. Pollution in one part of the world impacts the air we all breathe.
To achieve a unified future, we all need to be part of the solution.
What kind of world do you want to leave for the next generation? And what steps can you take to make that a reality?
As a little girl, I recall watching the generation before mine championing peace and equity through the United Nations. Now, the stage is ours. It is our generation’s turn to carry that torch, to lead by example, and to ensure the UN’s mission remains alive.
Because at the end of the day, the UN isn’t just an institution. It’s a symbol of what’s possible when humanity comes together, communicates and works collectively.
References
[1] https://www.un.org/en/visit/about-us
[3] https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement
[4] https://una.org.uk/get-involved/una-groups/find-your-branch