We are the Johnson County affiliate of the United Nations Association - USA, a national, non-partisan, non-governmental movement advocating for the life-changing and life-saving work of the United Nations.

Board of Directors: Jerry Anthony, President; Britta Loftus, Vice President; Amy Brewster, Secretary; Meredith Gall, Treasurer; Mercedes Bern-Klug, Stefanie Bowers, Jenna Eastman, Barbara Eckstein,

Farnaz Fatahi, John W. Fuller, Wangui Gathua, Sara Haroun, Donna Hirst, Bijou Maliabo, Lucie Mordecai,

Jean Paul Mugemuzi, Stefanie Munsterman, Blake Rupe, Sanaa Sebaaly, Claudia Suazo, and Sarah Terlouw

E-Newsletter Co-Editors, Jenna Eastman and Jim Olson

If your membership has expired -- or is about to -- you have received a renewal reminder from UNA-USA. The easiest way to renew is ONLINE. Please CLICK here. Many thanks!

Celebrate the 4th with JCUNA and Friends

Walk -- or ride -- with us in the Coralville Fourthfest Parade, Saturday, July 4 at 10:00 am.

JCUNA will march with the People's Coalition for Environmental, Economic and Social Responsibility, along with several sister organizations, including Veterans For Peace and Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility.

We will march under the banner "We Hold These Truths to be Self-Evident..." as well as our JCUNA banner and signs affirming human rights.

The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution foreshadow values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations: respect for political and civil rights and the right of peoples to determine their own future.

We are Unit #54. Our staging area is on 22nd Avenue in Coralville, just north of Second Street ("the Strip") near the LIFEchurch. Please arrive by 9:45 am. Look for the Unit 54 sign.

Wear your JCUNA tee shirt or borrow a UNHCR vest, modeled here by board member Mercedes Bern-Klug. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and rain gear.

Coming in August...

Celebrating International Youth Day/Remembering Immigrant Children in Detention

On International Youth Day, Wednesday, August 12, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. JCUNA is partnering with the Iowa City Public Library to celebrate the children in our midst and to remember children in detention in the U.S. In addition to crafts and snacks for children in attendance, we will be displaying paper dolls with quotations from children in detention and inviting grown-ups and older children to make their own.

Help from JCUNA members and friends is requested. If you can bring snacks, or appropriate games -- especially international games--for children to play AND if you can be present to help us monitor games, please contact Barbara Eckstein at eckstein-barbara5228@gmail.com.

World Refugee Day Proclaimed in Iowa City and Johnson County

Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague and the Johnson County Board of Supervisors both proclaimed June 20 as World Refugee Day during public meetings in June. Above, Mayor Teague with Bijou Maliabo, Neema Maliabo, Jerry Anthony, Britta Loftus and Barbara Eckstein.

Iowa UNA Office Moves to Des Moines

After nearly 50 years at Old Brick in Iowa City, the Iowa UNA (IUNA) has moved its headquarters to Drake University in Des Moines. JCUNAers Jerry Anthony, Barbara Eckstein, Caryl Lyons, Bijou Maliabo, and Jim Olson helped with the move.

IUNA's new address is 1620 Pleasant Street, Suite 242, Des Moines, IA 50314.

Meet Faith Akovi Cooper, New UNA-USA Executive Director

UNA-USA has named Faith Akovi Cooper, formerly a senior staff member at the International Rescue Committee, to be the Association's new Executive Director.

Ms. Cooper was born in Liberia and came to the United States as a refugee.

Click HERE to view her introductory video.

Celebrate America’s Birthday and Gift a JCUNA Membership Today!

In honor of the U.S.’s 250th birthday, please consider donating a JCUNA membership to a friend, colleague, or loved one this July.

With your membership, we are able to support local charities and non-profit organizations that embody these goals, host UN-focused events, and educate our community about global issues. Information on how to join JCUNA and sign up a friend is linked HERE.

Johnson County Chapter

United Nations Association- USA

308 E. Burlington St, 245, Iowa City, IA 52240

johnsoncountyuna.org

unajohnsoncounty@gmail.com