Maharashtra United Nations Association (MUNA) was established in 1964 at Mumbai to promote the objectives of the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies. It is a Non-governmental, Voluntary, Nonprofit Organization working for International Peace and Understanding. The founding officer bearers were Late Mr. M.S. Kannamwar (the then Chief Minister), Late Mr. H.H. Ismail (the then Consul General of Dominican Republic) and Late Mr. Mr. S.B. Saxena was the first Secretary General of MUNA.
The first women president of United Nations General Assembly and the then Governor of Maharashtra H.E. Mrs. Vijaya Laxmi Pandit was the first Patron of MUNA, H.E. Mrs. Pandit not only accepted to be the Patron ship of MUNA but also donated an Ivory Trophy which was presented to her by the people of Mumbai when she was the President of United Nations General Assembly. It was later named after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to be used for the cause of children who were dear to him.
Noted Politician Late Mr. Homi Taleyarkhan former Cabinet Minister and Ambassador of India to Italy, Libya and to Food and Agricultural Organisation of United Nations was the Vice President of MUNA for long time. Mr. S.D. Pandey, the then Honorary President of World Federation of United Nations Association (WFUNA) took the lead alongwith Mr. S.B. Saxena to establish MUNA.
Maharashtra United Nations Association (MUNA) is affiliated with Indian Federation of United Nations Associations (IFUNA) in New Delhi and with the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA). IFUNA is the only body to represent India in the U.N. Forums. IFUNA was founded by Late Sh. Acharya Narendra Dev who was a political thinker and social reformer and was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru.1962. At present IFUNA is effectively running under the dynamic leadership of our Secretary General of IFUNA Mr. Suresh Srivastava.
The objectives:
To further the objectives of United Nations and its organisations and to coordinate the activities of various United Nations Association units and other similar bodies working for the purpose of furthering the objectives of United Nations.
To educate public opinion towards promoting a peoples’ movement for the United Nations.
To interpret and to represent the views, feelings and sentiments of the Indian people in respect of international solidarity and cooperation among men, women and children of all classes and creeds, and
To promote generally the objectives of the United Nations in every possible way.
What we do:
MUNA strives to focus its programs and activities around the vital concerns of the United Nations, like, Peace, International Understanding, Environment and Human Rights. In conducting all these activities and programs, effort is made to involve the leadership from all sections of society so as to make them broad based and effective. MUNA maintains close liaisons with United Nations Organisations, Government Organizations, Press and Diplomatic Missions interested in United Nations activities etc. MUNA has already created a niche for itself in the academic and social circles in the state through its varied and numerous activities like Lectures, Seminars, Symposiums, and Observance of Designated International Days such as World Health Day, Environment Day, UN Charter Day, U.N. Day, Human Rights Day etc. MUNA also periodically organises Model United Nations with the young students of various school and college/ University students. MUNA also organises Debates, Competitions and Exhibitions on U.N Subjects.
Our Activities:
To promote objectives and activities of United Nations, develop awareness about the aims and ideals of the world body and to stimulate a sense of peoples’ participation in its programs, activities and achievements.
To work for international peace and understanding by involving the leadership of the community such as Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assembly Members of Diplomatic Corps, lawyers, Doctors, Engineers, Trade Unions, Students and youth.
To inculcate awareness among the students and youth, communities about the role and work of United Nations and its Specialised Agencies in achieving Millennium Development Goals, Eradication of Poverty, Importance of Rule of Law, Human Rights, Education, Economic uplift, Social changes, Fight against Diseases, Promotion of Agriculture, Sharing of Technology and Science among nations on this planet etc.
To observe important U.N. Days such as World Food Day, Human Rights Day, International Literacy Day, World Health Day, International Women's Day and UN Day etc.
To organize Debates, Seminars, Symposiums, and Workshops on UN related topics,
To felicitate and accord receptions to visiting United Nations dignitaries/ officials,
To involve youth from Schools, Colleges in environment related activities,
To keep close liaison/contacts with various Agencies of United Nations and to participate in their developmental programmes especially with UNIC, UNDP, UNFPA, UNEP, UNICEF, UNTCAD, UNODC and UNESCO etc.,
To promote research information and education about the goals of the charter of the United Nations and the work of the United Nations System,
To cooperate with other organizations whose objective includes the support of the United Nation and its development.
our website : www.muna.org.in
