Dear UNITED family,
2022 is soon to be over, but the uncertain and unstable times are not.
The long shadow of the first global pandemic still lingers, while the most severe threat on human civilization, war - a nuclear war even - has been with us since the Russian military launched its attack against Ukraine. In addition to the death and destruction, the war also brought a rise in energy prices like never before, putting millions of people at risk due to the rise of utility costs and food prices.
It’s been crisis after crisis. Political crises in Hungary, Poland and Italy fuel the feeling of a slow and incompetent European Union, while the old crises such as migration, inequality, racism, and corruption are almost forgotten. UNITED has asked for many years, Quo Vadis Europe? What is the solution, what is your vision? Is there a direction or is it just a crawl of small compromises, sometimes less forward than backwards?
UNITED firmly believes in the core values of the EU and CoE, our main partners, and we are happy to live up to your standards in criticizing them, but also to offer support and space for discussion and dialogue.
For 2022, we also had to focus on rebuilding and rebranding the Network. We can only host smaller meetings, training and online conferences, and we know this is less than ideal and that it represents a shift from our usual style, but nonetheless we have gone on and acquired project funding, and we will be more active with a larger secretariat.
We have a vision and we want to share it with you.
We are also in the progress of becoming a better source of European Human Rights related news, information and pool of knowledge. All we need is your continuous support, your engagement and feedback. In 2023 UNITED will also be 30 years “young”, opening up for a year of celebrations that we want to share with you.
We stay UNITED and our hope is, you do too!
Best regards,
Balint Josa
Network director
Call for nominations for UNITED Advisory Board
UNITED is opening the opportunity for delegates of UNITED supporter organisations to become members of UNITED’s Advisory Board.
The need for anti-racism, intercultural action, and unity among activists all across Europe is at an all-time high. This is why UNITED - the biggest grassroots antiracist network in Europe - is recruiting new forces for its advisory board.
Join us in our struggle for a more social, more fair, more UNITED Europe.
Role of the Advisory Board
The Advisory Board is responsible for setting a strategic direction for the UNITED network, based on the network organisations’ needs and objectives. Board members take part in decision-making processes, guiding quality improvement, assessing effectiveness of UNITED activities, as well as offering innovative advice and dynamic perspectives.
Structure of the Advisory Board
The Advisory Board will consist of 5-9 international members who are delegates of supporter organisations. 70% of the delegates will be selected from applicants under the age of 30. Gender and geographical balance will be taken into consideration.
Mandate: The mandate of the Board is three years long.
Responsibilities:
- Taking an active role in strategic planning and decision-making
- Holding continuous cooperation with the UNITED Secretariat
- Providing expert insight in key areas of UNITED’s activities
- Assessing effectiveness of UNITED’s activities
- Representing the network at international platforms
- Offering advice on fundraising strategies
Commitment
Board Members are expected to allocate appr. 10 hours per month to contribute to the work of UNITED and to attend regular meetings (both online and in presence).
The position is voluntary, no financial compensation is offered to the members.
Personal Specifications:
- Being a member/volunteer of a supporter organisation of UNITED
- Ensuring enthusiasm and passion for the values of the UNITED network
- Speaking and writing professionally in English
- Being confident and willing to work as part of a diverse and international team
- Holding organisational experience
Selection
Applicants are required to fill in the application form and to attach their CV highlighting their relevant experience. Board members will be selected by the current Board of UNITED until March 1st..
Deadline for nomination: February 1st
To apply, fill out the form HERE.
UNITED is looking for delegates!
Become a Delegate for #UNITED!
UNITED is looking for Human Rights advocates to contribute to the networking and advocacy actions of our 560-member-strong network.
We are launching a new call in order to recruit UNITED Delegates. The pool of UNITED Delegates consists of experts and activists, who act as the ambassadors of the network, and represent UNITED at various international meetings and events. By doing so, you are expanding the UNITED network, creating linkages internationally, also contributing to our common cause, which is fighting against any type of racism and discrimination.
During the events, you will represent UNITED, so your main task will be making other people know about who we are and what our network represents. Hence, we will provide you with more detailed information on our organization.
Join us and support knowledge sharing, advocacy and policy impact for Human Rights for all!
To apply, fill out the form here.
UNITED co-hosts a Global Youth Consultation “Erasmus+ Worldwide”
UNITED for Intercultural Action has partnered with seventeen other non-governmental youth-led institutions to deliver ERASMUS+ WORLDWIDE: GLOBAL DIALOGUE ON YOUTH PARTICIPATION & PEACE, a project aimed to establish stronger youth cooperation between young people coming from Europe, the Diaspora, Asia, and Africa.
Want to know more? Head on over to our website, here.
9th of November wrap-up: Activist livestream
Did you miss our livestream with Khadija Tirha? We invited Afro-European youth worker and activist Khadija to hold dialogue with us over the significance of this day and ask: what does it mean to be a fascist today? What “red flags” should we look out for? What should young activists do to make sure we stick to “never again”? We spoke and exchanged some inspiring, lively words with Khadija Atif, on staying motivated despite setbacks, on blossoming in your activism, on leaving a legacy, and on being kind.
Catch it now on our YouTube channel here.
Until next year, UNITED family: Enjoy the rest, and may we meet again in 2023 to resume the work.
