Council of Organizations
75 Years of Bringing the UN to the People and the People to the UN!
The COO meets needs in such areas as education, social justice, labor, sustainable development, energy & climate, human rights, health and gender equality.
Commemorating the 75th Anniversary
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Council of Organizations of the United Nations Association (COO) joins the United Nations in celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the world's first pledge to protect human rights through its direct consultative status in 1945 in drawing up the global body - The United Nations. The COO members and its partners have not wavered in our commitment to the United Nations organization.
Prior to 1948, there had been no universal definition of human rights on the international level. The 18-member Human Rights Commission, chaired by former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was adopted on December 10, 1948, a milestone in protecting men and women. We express gratitude for the brilliant team that framed the debate and culminated revolutionary changes in international politics and the UN's greatest achievement was the emergence from colonialism - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights often featured in declarations of independence as new nations were created in Asia and Africa. The 1968 World Conference on Human Rights approved 20 resolutions to mark the 20th anniversary of the Universal Declaration.
Today, we are devoted to protecting the brotherhood of humanity and guarding human rights. That is ambitious and crucial today. With the UN demonstrating an ever-increasing interest in working with civil society and NGOs, the Council of Organizations plays a critical role in offering opportunities for leaders from the NGO community to develop partnerships with the UN and each other. The 17 UN Sustainable Goals address human rights issues directly and focus on Equality, Freedom and Justice for All. The genuinely supportive and collaborative environment in which we work to bring about change and Human Rights For All engages our members in action to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and combat human trafficking in our community, in every city and state and beyond. We pledge our partners to step up efforts to end human trafficking.
COO IN THE FIELD
Providing Humanitarian Relief in UN Refugee Camps.
Bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies and developing a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts.
Mobilizing and coordinating effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies.
Advocating for the rights of people in need; promoting preparedness and prevention and facilitating sustainable solutions.
Eleanor Roosevelt, Founder
established in 1947.
Who We Are
About Us
The Council of Organizations was created to advise the United States Delegation To The United Nations Conference On International Organization (UNCIO) in 1945, San Francisco. The conference consisted of delegates from 50 allied nations. Its purpose was to create and adopt a charter for a new organization, the United Nations Organization.
The COO sponsors, co-sponsors and participates in programs including featured speakers, panels, exhibitions and briefings by UN officials & diplomats, academics, government officials, NGO leaders and other experts & advocates committed to keep the NGO community and public informed.
The COO offers forums to share current information and developments regarding subjects on the UN and international agendas.
It also supports the United Nations and the work of its members, fellow UNA-USA constituents and other organizations by updating them about activities of the UN system and joining in community service nationwide and worldwide.
The COO is closely affiliated with the United Nations Association of the United States of America, the United Nations Foundation, and the UNA-USA National Council.
The Federation
Members
Academia Mexicana de Derecho Internacional
American Association of University Women
Baha’i of the US
Child Foundation
Global Associates for Health Development, Inc.
Global Foundation For Democracy and Development
Institute for Life Sciences Collaboration
International Assembly of Human Rights
International Council of Jewish Women
International Human Rights Commission (IHRC)
League of Women Voters of the United States
Lions Club International
National Council of Churches US
National Judicial Conduct & Disability Law Project (NJCDLP)
Red Pencil Humanitarian Mission / Red Pencil Europe (RPE) / Foundation of Public Utility
The Caribbean American Heritage Foundation of Texas
The NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY
UNA Southern Illinois
UNA USA Southern NY State Division
UNA-NCA
UNA-OSU / Collegiate Council on World Affairs
UNA-USA
Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office
United Association of Calligraphy
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
US Servas
VP or Advocacy, NAACP
World Council of Peoples for the UN