United Nations Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Records

The United Nations Association was formed in 1945 out of the League of Nations Union, to "help bring about a just, ordered and lasting peace, and better conditions of life for all mankind." Its office was in London. Early leaders included Viscount Cecil, C.R. Attlee, Lady Violet Bonham Carter, Winston Churchill, and Dr. Gilbert Murray. In 1946 the name of the organization was expanded to include "of Great Britain and Northern Ireland." The UNA describes itself as a "critical fan club of the United Nations," working to ensure that the United Nations is effective, efficient and creative in all the areas on which it focuses its attention. Today the UNA is a voluntary, membership-based non-governmental organization; there are over 180 local UNA branches in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The UNA is linked at the international level with over 80 UNAs through the World Federation of United Nations Associations.