Have you ever heard someone mention “the UN” and found yourself nodding along, even though you weren’t quite sure what it actually does? You’re not alone. As we move forward over the next few months, we’ll unpack the United Nations piece by piece, helping you understand how it works, why it matters, and how it connects to us as advocates for women and girls around the globe.

~~ What is the United Nations, really?

The UN was founded in 1945 after the devastation of World War II with a mission to maintain peace and security, promote human rights, advance sustainable development, and build cooperative relationships among nations. Today, 193 countries—nearly every nation on Earth—are members.

Headquartered in New York City, the UN serves as a neutral space where nations can come together to discuss global issues, from climate change to hunger to war and peace. While the UN doesn’t have the power to enforce laws like a national government, it wields tremendous influence through diplomacy, peacekeeping missions, global standards, and development programs.

The UN is truly an international organization with major offices around the world.

In Geneva, Switzerland, the UN focuses heavily on human rights, humanitarian affairs, and disarmament. Vienna, Austria is home to offices dedicated to international law, crime prevention, and space affairs. Nairobi, Kenya serves as the UN’s African headquarters, specializing in environmental and human settlements programs. Together, these locations reflect the UN’s global reach and its commitment to addressing worldwide challenges from every corner of the earth.

~~ Why does this matter to us as NFBPWC members?

At NFBPWC, we’re deeply committed to the advancement of women and the betterment of society. Many of the issues we care about—equal rights, access to healthcare and education, sustainable development, and ending violence against women— are at the heart of the United Nations’ mission.

While NFBPWC itself does not hold consultative status with the UN, we actively engage through BPW International, which does.

*See the graph for the three Consultative Status’

This connection opens the door for us to participate in key UN- related advocacy efforts—not just through the well-known Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), but also through other meaningful channels such as the Economic and Social

Council (ECOSOC), UNESCO, UN Women, and even regional bodies like the Organization of American States (OAS). These platforms provide opportunities to contribute to global conversations on gender equality, economic development, human rights, and more.

Understanding this broader ecosystem helps us better leverage our voice and expand our impact.

~~ 5 Key Terms

1. General Assembly – The main deliberative body of the UN, where all 193 member states have one vote. It addresses global issues and passes resolutions, though these are non-binding.
2. Security Council – The branch responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It has 15 members, including 5 permanent ones (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US) with veto power.
3. NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) – A nonprofit, citizen-based group that operates independently of government. NFBPWC participates in UN-related activities through BPW International’s NGO status.
4. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – A collection of 17 global goals adopted in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and promote prosperity for all by 2030.
5. ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) – One of the six main organs of the UN. It coordinates economic, social, and environmental work, including partnerships with NGOs like BPW International.

~~ Links to Learning More:

• UN at a Glance –https://www.un.org/en/about-us
• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Learn about the 17 goals shaping our global future:https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Honoring Service, Supporting Peace:

Military Appreciation Month & the United Nations

May is Military Appreciation Month, a time to honor the service and sacrifice of those who wear the uniform. It’s also a reminder of the values they defend—freedom, security, and peace.

There is a meaningful link between military service and the mission of the United Nations. Since 1948, UN peacekeepers, many of them military personnel, have worked to preserve peace, protect civilians, and help nations rebuild after conflict.

Military members are not only defenders of borders, but often guardians of peace and stability. That mission echoes the UN Charter, which calls on nations to resolve disputes through diplomacy, not war.

According to the UN Peacekeeping official website, as peacekeeping has evolved to encompass a broader humanitarian approach, women have become increasingly part of the peacekeeping mission adding may capabilities, including the ability to interact with women in societies where women are prohibited from speaking with men. Shown here, US Army medical personnel from Hawaii assisting with medical training.

As we honor those who serve, let us also commit ourselves to the cause of peace—in our communities, in our advocacy, and through our partnerships. Together, we can help shape a world where peace is not just a goal, but a reality.

To all who have served: we honor you, and we thank you.

To join the United Nations Special Committee: email unchair@nfbpwc.org,

or contact President Barbara Bozeman at president@nfbpwc.org

Committee on Migration (CoM) Report

IFBPW Member Submitting: Nermin Ahmad, UN Rep, Treasurer Committee on Migration, Convener Subcommittee on Xenophobia, Racism and Social Inclusion

Topic: April 10, 2025 11:00 – 12:00 Panel Discussion Providing Practical Resources for Migrants

Venue: Zoom

No Photos at request of CoM.

Nermin Ahmad, UN representative for the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, is Treasurer of the Committee on Migration (CoM) and Convenor for the Subcommittee on Xenophobia, Racism and Social Inclusion. On April 10, 2025, this Subcommittee hosted an event citing practical considerations for migrants and those working with migrants.

Event Purpose: Provide migrants with critical knowledge to better understand their legal rights, promote self-care strategies, and identify the types of resources available to them. By fostering collaboration among community advocates, legal experts, and law enforcement, this discussion intends to allow migrants and those working with them to be better informed, empowered, and supported.

We discussed legal steps, emotional well-being, and sources of help and advice. While much of the information was US-based, the principles behind each recommendation were universally applicable. Eva Richter, NFBPW member and co-founder of the Committee and I provided context, while our speakers shared their experiences, including requested insights on Eastern European and Russian migrants.

Our panel was structured to:

• Enhance Awareness of Legal Protections: Provide clear and practical information regarding migrant rights to ensure public safety and legal compliance. 
• Strengthen Community Relations: Outline best practices for interactions between law enforcement and migrant communities to build trust and cooperation.
• Address Trauma and Mental Health: Highlight the psychological impact of migration-related challenges and present strategies for resilience and well-being.
• Showcase Community Support Networks: Highlight faith-based initiatives, legal aid programs, and advocacy efforts that provide assistance to migrants.

Key points: Every person, at least in the US, has the right to keep quiet, to not be searched without a warrant or properly documented due cause, and to request legal and translation assistance.

Links For Use or Research When Working with Migrants or if you are concerned as a migrant:

https://www.acluwv.org/en/know-your-rights-immigrants-encountering-police-or-ice

https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/know-your-rights-with-ice/

SELECTED LINKS TO IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES

IN THE US American Immigration Lawyers’ Association (AILA) – Find a lawyer (by type, language, location):https://ailalawyer.com/AILA

Client Flyers –

Know Your Rights: If ICE Visits Your Home:https://www.aila.org/library/client-flyerknow-your-

rights

Know Your Rights: What to Do If You Are Detained at the Port of Entry:https://coloradoimmigrant.org/related/understand-

the-difference-between-judicial-warrants-and-ice-warrants/

https://www.aclu-de.org/en/know-your-

rights/interacting-ice-law-enforcement-service-providers

Parental designation form:https://www.nysnavigator.org/wp-

content/uploads/Designation-of-Person-in-Parental-Relatonship-12-Months-OCFS-4940-1-1-2.pdf

Search for Legal Help at a Detention Center:https://www.immi.org/en/Info/SearchDetentionCenter

Al Otro Lado / US Based Legal Representation (San Diego/LA): https://alotrolado.org/usbased-legal-representation

University of the Pacific Community Legal Services / Immigration(Stockton/Sacramento,  CA): https://www.pacific.edu/law/legal-clinics/community-legal-services

Immigration Law Help (by location):https://www.immigrationlawhelp.org/

We asked for resources specifically useful to Ukrainian Refugees, as noted below:

https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-solidarity-ukraine/eu

https://assistance-ukraine/information-people-fleeing-war-ukraine_uk

https://euneighbourseast.eu/uk/standwithukraine/refugees/

POLAND:

https://www.gov.pl/web/ua;https://pomagamukrainie.gov.pl/

LITHUANIA:  https://migracija.lrv.lt/lt/naudinga-informacija/ukraina-ukrayina-ukraina ukraine/

SLOVAKIA: https://www.minv.sk/?ukraine-information-assistance

https://smespolu.org/uk/

GERMANY: https://www.germany4ukraine.de/hilfeportal-ua

ITALY: https://www.interno.gov.it/sites/default/files/2022-03/benvenuto_ucr.pdf

ITALY:Practical guide for asylum seekers-https://www.interno.gov.it/sites/default/files/allegati/la_guida_in_inglese.pdf

FRANCE: https://parrainage.refugies.info/ukraine/index.html?ln=uk

Cityof                               Paris:https://cdn.paris.fr/paris/2022/03/30/d8fb91347b4fb3bc5b5d22e7bedb4b79.pdf

UNITED KINGDOM: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/move-to-the-uk-if-youre-from-ukraine.uk

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/support-for-family-members-of-british-nationals-in-ukraine           and-ukrainian-nationals-in-ukraine-and-the-uk.uk

Legal forms for free: https://lawhelpinteractive.org/

Migrants Under Threat: What Price Education?

By Eva Richter, NFBPWCNY

All over the world we are seeing the rise of authoritarian regimes that implement their goals by demonizing and criminalizing a vulnerable segment of the population, blaming them for all the ills of their own, narrowly-defined groups. Migrants and refugees have now become the favorite whipping posts as country after country, paying for the privilege, arranged to deport them to facilities in third countries, many of them with notorious anti-human rights agendas.

According to UNHRC, by the end of June 2024 “as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order”,

122.6 million people worldwide had been forcibly displaced. By 2050 44-113 million people are projected to migrate internally as the result of slow- onset climate impacts. As always, it is women and children who suffer most from the disruptions of family life, the threats against their safety and security, the fear of arrest with no appeal. In turmoil, education becomes a secondary concern, and a very high proportion of the displaced population, especially when they are in transit, are excluded from education and training. Children, especially girls, languish bored, scared and traumatized in inadequate camps with few resources, while their parents, if they have them, scrounge for subsistence.

Not every country guarantees the free access of all children to an education, and migrant children have been targeted and specifically excluded in countries like Australia, Hungary, Indonesia, Malaysia and Mexico. In countries like the US, where access to education is inclusive and mandated by law, schools have provided some safety from government attacks, but many migrants are afraid to send their children to school, fearing the lawless incursions of police and special law enforcement agencies into that space or on the unprotected public streets and sidewalks leading to and from the schools, where families gather to accompany the children.

On the first day of the 69th session of the CSW, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Women’s Conference in Beijing, the Commission on the Status of Women issued a Political Declaration addressing the 12 Areas of Critical Concern as detailed in the Beijing Platform for Action, including the area of education. Noting that commitments in implementation have been “slow and uneven” and recognizing that new challenges have occurred, they reaffirmed their commitment to “Promoting, protecting and fulfilling the right to education as a key driver of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and the achievement of sustainable development, by ensuring access to inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all women and girls [emphasis mine]”.

Education is a human right, legally guaranteed for all, without any discrimination. The statement that IFBPW contributed to the CSW meetings ringingly maintains that “True peace begins with the right to education from an early age and throughout life.” As an organization dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of women we must unite in our advocacy and work to implement the fundamental right and unfettered access to quality education and training for ALL women and girls, including migrants and refugees, regardless of their status. A vigorous insistence on the prime importance of education is essential to the development of a free, inclusive and harmonious society in which each individual is accorded the dignity and the means to grow, develop and contribute to worldwide progress and to the defeat of authoritarian regimes that threaten our fundamental human rights.