Citizens for Global Solutions

Citizens for Global Solutions is a national advocacy organization made up of people like you -- people who know that in today's interdependent world, there are some problems that can't be solved by one country alone, no matter how strong that country is. A strong and effective United Nations is an important partner to the U.S. in tackling these global challenges. Make your voice heard: join Citizens for Global Solutions today to help build a better, safer world for everyone:

The Partners for Global Solutions Program is a fun, easy way for you to make a difference on the global issues that matter to you. By becoming a Partner, you will join a network of activists who take action in their local communities. The common goal of our efforts is to raise awareness in the U.S. about the need for our country to partner with others and work with international institutions.

Write to your Representatives and Senators

Dear Senators and Representatives,

I write to you today to urge you to communicate to Secretary of State Rice and President Bush that our nation needs to be diplomatically engaged in efforts to strengthen and revitalize the United Nations. In order to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, the U.S. needs to work together with other nations to avoid a budget shutdown of the U.N. in June.

At a time when we are asking it to stop genocide in Darfur and confront a nuclear Iran, we need the United Nations more than ever; and it is absolutely imperative that during this critical time the United States play a constructive, engaged and leading role.

America has much to gain from a revitalized U.N., but only if we are willing to be a team player. President Bush and Secretary Rice should recognize that in today’s interdependent world, where no one country can solve the world’s challenges on its own, the U.S. needs the U.N. to achieve its goals and advance the common good. Now more than ever, America needs to do the hard work of diplomacy to build a strong and effective United Nations.

Sincerely,

Name
Contact Information

+Back to the top
_____________________________________________________________________________

Send a Letter to the Editor of Your Local Paper

Below is a sample letter you can send to the editor of your local paper to let policymakers know that a strengthened United Nations is important to you.

Dear Editor:

The next few months will be critical in determining the future of the U.S.-U.N. relationship. For over 60 years, the United Nations has been a critical partner for the U.S. American diplomats are currently engaged in a very important discussion about how to strengthen the U.N. and help it address the challenges of the 21st century. With smart diplomacy, we will achieve that goal; if we insist on strong-arm diplomacy, we will fail on reform and risk a shutdown of the U.N. in June. It is absolutely imperative that the United States play a constructive, engaged and leading role.

At a time when we are asking the it to stop genocide in Darfur and confront a nuclear Iran, we need the United Nations more than ever; and it is important that the United States play a constructive, engaged and leading role in these debates.

America has much to gain from a revitalized U.N., but only if we are willing to be a team player. President Bush and Secretary Rice should recognize that in today’s interdependent world, where no one country can solve the world’s challenges on its own, the U.S. needs the U.N. to achieve its goals and advance the common good. Now more than ever, America needs to do the hard work of diplomacy to build a strong and effective United Nations.

Name
Contact Information

+Back to the top

Find Out How Your Legislators Voted on Global Issues

Citizens for Global Solutions Congressional Report Card lets you know how your Senators and Representatives voted on legislation impacting international issues. Find out how your Congressmen voted on issues such as nuclear proliferation, the global environment, international AIDS funding, the International Criminal Court, U.N. funding and more.

+ VIEW THE REPORT CARD

+Back to the top

Help spread the word by hosting a town hall meeting with the topic: “Building a Safer World: Defining the U.S./U.N. Relationship for the 21st Century.” The town hall could be a public discussion that includes a panel of speakers to talk about one or more of the following topics: the environment; weapons of mass destruction and terrorism; poverty, hunger and health; and war and conflict.

Need help organizing the event? The People Speak was established in 2003 by the United Nations Foundation, which partnered with 29 other non-partisan organizations to create a series of nationwide town hall meetings that discussed America’s role in the world. In 2004, over 4,000 events were held under this banner, with almost 1,000,000 people attending across the country. Their goal for this year is to hold even more events and bring together even more Americans. They even offer small grants, ranging from $50-$500 to host such an event. They also provide fabulous materials online that can help you set up the event, invite speakers, suggest formats and questions, and run a terrific event.

Another way to reach out to friends is to host a house party on the importance of a strengthened United Nations. You can download our Citizens' Guide to the United Nations in the 21st Century (PDF) brochure to help you get started. If you need help organizing the event, take a look at the online organization Let’s Talk America. They provide hosting resources such as invitations, flyers, conversation starters, hosting kits, etc. This is a great opportunity to reach out to those close to you and your local communities about issues that are very important to you!