The U.N. Association at ASU maintained a global view despite COVID

The United Nations Association at ASU, also known as UNA-ASU, has come into its own this past year due to its passionate officers and members. Their primary focus of supporting and promoting the work of The United Nations has continued, despite the obstacles, this past year threw at everyone.

This past year UNA-ASU was awarded the 2020 Campus Chapter of Excellence Award. This award is granted to a chapter at ASU that goes above and beyond to instill a positive change in the Sun Devil community. 

The Novel Coronavirus caused ASU to shut their doors in March, 2020. UNA-ASU moved all operations online, including their successful networking events. 

UNA ASU sends everyone virtual smiles during their Zoom meeting.

President of UNA-ASU Saiarchana Darira is devoting her time at ASU to creating and instilling “global change” both in and outside of UNA: Her triple major in psychology, global management, and social and cultural analysis with a concentration in peace studies allows her to do just that. 

“We approach global change in many ways,” said Darira. “I often like to think of our club as having four pillars. We have advocacy campaigns, events, service initiatives and dialogue about the United Nations.” 

Darira’s devotion to the association seems unmatched. However, fellow members at UNA-ASU bring the same passion and loyalty to their work at the association. UNA-ASU contains five officers: Vice President of Event Coordination, Service, Advocacy, Finance and Communications. 

“Our goal is to remind students that they can change the world and give them opportunities to do that, “ said Darira. “It has been my rock in my life. The people in UNA are such genuine and kindhearted human beings and meeting them has changed my life.”

Vice President Alyssa Orozco has supported UNA throughout her time at ASU. As a double major in Global Studies and English with a concentration in writing and literacies paired with a minor in Spanish and a certificate in human rights, she is the ideal vice president for a chapter like UNA. 

Her assistance and support in fulfilling the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN have turned UNA at ASU into more than just a chapter devoted to “global change” but a chapter that is implementing and creating “global change.” 

Projects like their Human Rights Networking Event, which allowed students to build connections with fellow Sun Devils and professors, reminded participants where they belong. It reminded them that no matter where they are completing their assignments they are still part of a community wanting to support and applaud each other. 

This past year was jammed full of events; a mental health panel, a global women's panel, an Instagram book club and a UN Gala in honor of the United Nations turning 75-years-old. 

Every gala, panel, social media initiative and zoom call acts as a step toward peace both in and outside of ASU. Their ability to work together for a common goal, not just for the ASU community but for the planet, gives the youth of today hope for the future. 

“It has been a source of hope in my life," said Darira. When I look out in the world and see all these issues like poverty, COVID-19 and climate change being able to be around people who are so passionate about solving these issues has been such a powerful source of hope for me."

There are only nine years left to complete the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, designed to be “a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all." UNA ASU will be creating initiatives and events to address each of the 17 goals. 

“I think our overarching goal for every year is just for the sustainable development goals to become common knowledge,” said Orozco. “I want everyone to feel comfortable in that knowledge and not shy away from it.”