Taking Action on the UN Financial Crisis
Campaigns, Events and Action Proposals
An urgent message from a coalition of organizations concerned with paying the US arrears to the UN. Includes a sample letter to be sent to a member of congress, and highlights of UN accomplishments.
Resolve the Crisis: Don't Shut Down the UN
This website outlines the fundamental importance of the UN in world politics. In light of the impending budget problems, the campaign urges readers to sign a petition to encourage world leaders to resolve the crisis. (Don't Shut Down the UN)
Worldwide Vigils for the UN on October 23.
Millennium Mobilization
On October 23, 1999, the eve of United Nations Day, citizens around the world took action to demand full funding for the UN. The campaign continues into 2000.
Third Worldwide
Vigil (1998)
Many organizations joined to organize a vigil on the eve of UN day to protest the UN's continuing financial crisis and affirm support for a more democratic world organization.
Second Worldwide
Vigil (1997)
Posts information about the second worldwide vigil, held in 45 cities.
First Worldwide
Vigil (1996)
Posts information about the first worldwide vigil, held in 32 cities.
United States
The Project on Peacekeeping at the United Nations
Citizens for Funding the United Nations (the $7.00 campaign)
A cooperative NGO effort started in early 1996 to pressure the US government to pay its UN dues. This initiative had grown to 22 cooperating organizations by mid-May.
A Call for Action on the UN Financial
Crisis
Text of an international statement issued January 16, 1996, with a list
of 200 signatories as well as an additional
list of hundreds more. Text in Italian. Text
in French.
The Whitehead Initiative ($4.40)
United Nations Association-USA Chairman John Whitehead sent a check to Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali in late October, 1995, symbolically paying his family's "share" of the US debt to the UN. When he made his letter public, many others followed his example.
Table Showing US Citizens' Personal Payments to the UN
Hundreds of U.S. citizens have sent checks to the UN, inspired by Whitehead and by CFUN. This page posts the data which shows a rapidly-growing campaign.
NGO Activities & Other Citizen Initiatives in the United States
Many US-based NGOs have taken action on the financial crisis. This page posts information about some of these many grassroots initiatives by citizen groups in the US.
UNA Conference featuring Vice-President Gore
UNA-USA held a major Conference on May 21, 1996, in New York City featuring a speech by the Vice-President.
Other Countries
Summary of Activities in Other CountriesThis posts activities on UN finance in countries outside the United States, plus international work of US-based NGOs.
Nordic UN Movement Statement
Text of a statement on the UN financial crisis issued in March 1996 by the Nordic UN Movements.
WFUNA Statement
Text of a statement on the UN financial crisis issued in March 1996 by the World Federation of United Nations Associations.
World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women Statement
Text of a statement on the UN financial crisis passed at the World Congress in Rio,
2 August 1996.
Proposals and Activities in favor of "Alternative" Funding for the UN
Global TaxesPosts information about global taxes and fees for funding the UN, including a bibliography and list of organizations.
Reports
GPF Backgrounder No. 1 (January 1996)
General introduction to the financial crisis and commentary on UN finances in 1995, when United States arrears grew rapidly, pushing the UN close to insolvency in the final months of the year. Features a graph on UN finance.
GPF Backgrounder No. 2 (February 1996)
An analysis of 'who owes what,' 'what are assessments and how are they collected' and other dimensions of the crisis. Features several specially-prepared tables on UN finances.
