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 International Youth Day/

Remember Immigrant Children in Detention

August 12

Celebrate children close at hand and those far away on August 12, International Youth Day, 10am-noon, at the Iowa City Public Library. JCUNA and the library will provide international games, snacks, and crafts for children of all ages. Children of all ages and adults will have an opportunity to browse a collection of library books about children in migration.

We will also be remembering children in detention in the United States especially those immigrant children held at the Dilley facility in Texas, often held much longer than the 20 days specified by the Flores Settlement Agreement of 1997 and without the food, health care, and education required. Numbers are hard to come by, but ICE reported that, in December of 2025 and January of 2026, 595 immigrant children were held in custody longer than the 20 days required by the Flores Agreement. 55 of those children were held over 100 days. Court-appointed witnesses at Dilley consistently report that, whether 85 or 485 children are in the privately run facility at any one time, they are held without enough food, medical care, or mental health services and for periods of time in excess of court-mandated limits.

An installation of paperdolls containing quotations from children in detention will be on display for adults and older children. Materials will be available for guests to make their own paperdoll for them to put on display in a prominent place or send to a Member of Congress.

Come in your JCUNA t-shirt or wearing your JCUNA pin. Stand up for the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child and for the children it was written to protect.

Volunteer to bring snacks! Always the way to a kid’s heart! Email Barbara at Eckstein.barbara5228@gmail.com.

JCUNA Celebrates America's 250th!

JCUNA members marched in the Coralville July 4th parade as part of the Peoples Coalition for Social, Environmental and Political Responsibility. With our friends from Peace Iowa, Veterans For Peace, the 100 Grannies, and Iowa PSR, we reminded the thousands of spectators about the principles upon which this country was founded. Special thanks to organizers Maureen McCue (pictured above right) and John Rochow (far left, above) of Iowa PSR and JCUNA!

UNA-USA General Membership Meeting, August 12, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Whether you are a new member or a long-time JCUNAer, this is your opportunity to learn more about our national organization's vision for the future and upcoming events, and to meet UNA-USA leaders.

To register: CLICK HERE

UNA-USA Leadership Summit

November 13-15. Houston, Texas

UNA chapter leaders and UN advocates from across the country will strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and the UN. 3 tracks: chapter leaders, citizen diplomats, and understanding the UN.

Full information: HERE