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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
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Local High Schoolers Meet Chinese Students at Muscatine Model UN Conference
See below
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The UN and the Iran War
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate end of hostilities. A group of independent human rights experts has denounced the violence against Iran and Lebanon.
A deeply divided UN Security Council has condemned Iran for attacking its neighbors, but has not formally condemned the U.S. and/or Israel.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, is aiding 3 million displaced persons in Iran and has ongoing programs in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Jordan.
Iowa UNA Executive Director Debra DeLaet's analysis of the U.S./Israel attacks on Iran as a violation of international law is available HERE
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Night of 1000 Dinners Affirms We Can All Help Advance Affordable Housing
JCUNA welcomed 200 guests to Night of 1000 Dinners 2026, held on March 6 at Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church. The event, an annual observance of International Women's Day, honors groups advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, both in our community and around the world.
The 2026 theme was Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities. Proceeds will benefit the Housing Fellowship, the Immigrant and Welcome Network of Johnson County, Shelter House and UN Habitat, each recognized for advancing safe, sustainable, and affordable housing. Proceeds also support JCUNA’s educational work.
Prior to the event, the County Board of Supervisors and the city councils of Iowa City and North Liberty proclaimed March 8 as International Women's Day.
As the guests arrived, they had the opportunity to bid on 30 donated items in a silent auction called “Gifts of the Nations,” featuring works of art from UN member countries.
Guests enjoyed an international buffet catered by Expert Touch Service and served by volunteers from the City High Model UN Club (see photos below).
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The program, coordinated by immediate past president Barbara Eckstein and recorded by City Channel 4, focused on affordable housing. Chapter president Jerry Anthony described the dimensions of the global housing crisis:
"About 40% of the global population (about 2.8 billion people) lives in poor quality housing. We in Johnson County also have significant housing problems. Johnson County has the HIGHEST proportion of households that spend over 30% of their gross income on housing among ALL 99 counties in Iowa."
Representatives of the honored groups described how they provide affordable housing in our community. Each one was introduced by a JCUNA board member speaking in her native language -- Arabic, Kikuyu and Spanish – with the English translation projected on a large screen.
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Mazahir Salih, Executive Director of the Immigrant and Welcome Network of Johnson County, pictured here with board member Sara Haroun, thanked the community for supporting this three-year-old organization as it provides transitional housing and opportunities for new international arrivals.
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Shelter House’s Development Director, Christine Hayes, with board member Wangui Gathua, described the current threats to the organization’s permanent supportive housing program which Shelter House provides in addition to temporary housing.
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Tashundra Marshall, the Housing Fellowship’s Chief Operating Officer, with board member Claudia Suazo Ruiz, read a letter from an appreciative client.
She emphasized, “We can all be change agents."
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Jarrett James Lash, visiting Iowa in his capacity as U.S. Youth Observer to the UN, is also a town planner in Pennsylvania. He reminded the audience that our voices matter as local governments consider housing issues.
While in Iowa City, Lash met UI and City High students and was interviewed by KICI radio. Hear the interview HERE.
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Board member Stefanie Munsterman declared,
“I believe in the multilateral mission of the United Nations. I believe in the values of the United Nations. And I know this: both the United States and the world are stronger when we lead through partnership, not isolation. So, I’m asking you right now to take out your phones and contact your members of Congress.”
Readers: you, too, can scan the QR code in the photo with your phone.
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The Banat Mendy Club performed traditional Sudanese dances.
Board members Jerry Anthony, Farnaz Fatahi, Bijou Maliabo and Sanaa Sebaaly introduced segments of the program in, respectively, Hindi, Farsi, French and Arabic. The program concluded with a membership appeal by JCUNA intern Lulu Rongerude.
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Top left, City High Model UN volunteers with their advisor (and JCUNA board member), Jenna Eastman; volunteer Martha Willard said, “I really appreciated being able to volunteer at Night of 1000 Dinners. It gave me not only a fun opportunity to help and serve with my friends, but also to see the community I am interested in being a part of someday."
Also pictured, clockwise from top right, board member Donna Hirst with the Gifts of the Nations; Iowa City Mayor Pro Tem Megan Alter greeting the guests; and the dining room as guests arrived.
In addition to those listed above, we thank the following: Neema Ash, Mercedes Bern-Klug, Stefanie Bowers, Amy Brewster, Dan Gall, Meredith Gall, Britta Loftus, Jim Olson, Sarah Terlouw and the staff of Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church. Many thanks to our generous sponsors and in-kind donors listed at the bottom of this newsletter and all who supported the event.
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Iowa City High Students Attend International Model UN Conference in Muscatine
Six Iowa City High students attended the Future Leaders Summit in Muscatine, Iowa, February 24th to February 26th. The summit, sponsored by the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, brought together more than 100 students from Iowa and 75 students from China.
The City High students represented Bangladesh in the Commission on the Status of Women, the Economic and Social Council, and the Human Rights Council. One student participated in the Crisis Committee, seeking a diplomatic solution to the 1979-80 Iran Hostage Crisis. Brooke Cosner, a senior, received the Sustainability Award for her work on the Commission on the Status of Women. This award recognizes a delegate who shows exceptional dedication to the principles of sustainability in addressing global challenges. Students left this summit with a deeper understanding of global issues.
Pictured: Carolina David-Chang, Brooke Cosner, Alia Sabha, Henry Smith and Beckett Tobin.
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NIGHT OF 1000 DINNERS SPONSORS and IN-KIND DONORS
Sustainability Leaders ($1,000 +)
Donna Hirst
Iowa City Office of Human Rights
Sueppel’s Building and Remodeling
Sustainability Champions ($500 - $999)
Barbara Eckstein
Jim Olson
Jana and Jerry Schnoor
Jane Shuttleworth
Agudas Achim Congregation
UI Non-Profit Leadership and Philanthropy Program
Sustainability Advocates ($250 - $499)
Alice and Kendall Atkinson
Mercedes Bern-Klug
Meredith and Dan Gall
Katy and Peter Hansen
Britta and Chris Loftus
Maureen McCue
Adamantine Spine Moving
CBI Bank and Trust
City of North Liberty
Coralville Public Library
Full Circle Faith Community
Hills Bank
James Investment Group
MCIC Design/Build
MidwestOne Bank
Refugee and Immigrant Association
Sanctuary Community Church
Trinity Episcopal Church, Daughters of the King
UI International Programs
Unitarian Universalist Society
Veridian Credit Uniion
Sustainability Supporters ($100 - $249)
Richard Braverman
Amy Brewster
Margaret Kiekhaefer
Caryl Lyons
Sanaa Sebaaly
Liz and Alan Swanson
Jim Throgmorton
Bob and Carole Winkleblack
100 Grannies for a Livable World
Alpha Kappa Alpha, Tau Psi Omega Chapter
CARTHA
Congregational Church United Church of Christ
Iowa City Foreign Relations Council
Iowa City Friends Meeting
Kiwanis Club, Coralville
UI Center for Human Rights
Veterans for Peace, Chapter 161
In-Kind Donors
City Channel 4 (recording)
Every Bloomin' Thing (table flowers)
Goodfellow Printing (printed program)
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Johnson County Chapter
United Nations Association- USA
308 E. Burlington St, 245, Iowa City, IA 52240
johnsoncountyuna.org
unajohnsoncounty@gmail.com
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