About Us

Stevenson Family Role in McLean County UNA-USA

Local Chapter Past Activities

Interviews

United Nations Association-USA History

In 1943 Eleanor Roosevelt began the American Association for the United Nations (AAUN) to help educate Americans about the United Nations and the global issues that the organization deals with. In 1964, the AAUN merged with the U.S. Committee for the United Nations, comprised of 138 national organizations supporting the work of the world body, thereby creating the United Nations Associations of today. For the first years of its existence and even for a brief time following its beginning, not much effort had been expended on the AAUN itself; it was just one of many grassroots organizations. After the unification of these groups the UNA became a more effective organization actively involved in combating ignorance and apathy on international affairs at home and abroad.

US Ambassador Adlai Stevenson before the United States Permanent Mission to the United Nations, October 1961. (Photo courtesy of the United Nations Department of Public Information).