The UNA-USA History Project is an independent initiative dedicated to preserving and publicizing the history on the United Nations Association of the USA, a civil society organization that has for more than 80 years promoted US engagement in international affairs, especially the creation and continuing support for the United Nations.
The Seton Hall University School of Diplomacy and International Relations is serving as the institutional home for the history. Former dean Andrea Bartoli also chaired an Advisory Committee consisting of Steven Dimoff, Bill Draper, Fred Eckhard, Toby Gati, Jeff Laurenti, William McDonough, Karen Mulhauser, Jim Olson, Tom Pickering, Jonathan Roberts, Steve Schlesinger, Gillian Sorensen, William vanden Heuvel, Christopher Whatley, and the late John C. Whitehead.
Former UNA-USA President and CEO Ed Elmendorf initiated the project and is directing it.
The project’s main initiative is the book, The UN Association–USA: A Little Known History of Advocacy and Action, published by Lynne Rienner Publishers.
The book spans 80 years, starting with the events leading to World War II and concluding in 2010, when UNA merged with the UN Foundation. The lead author is James Wurst, a UN-based journalist. The editor is Dulcie Leimbach, the founder and editor of PassBlue and former editor for The New York Times.
The book would not have been possible without the generous financial support from: Christopher Brody, William and Judith Cottle, Edison Dick, William Draper III, Ambassador James Leonard, William McDonough, Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering, Jonathan Roberts, Janet Ross, Gillian Sorensen, David Squire, Judith Thoyer, Katrina vanden Heuvel, Ambassador William vanden Heuvel, Josh Weston and the late John C. Whitehead. Financial assistance also came from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, and the Dick Family Foundation.
This website is the latest initiative of the Project. We anticipate the site will continue to grow as archival material is added and the oral history is enriched with more interviews.