The United Nations Association of the Philippines is a national civic, non-sectarian and non-partisan organization, established in 1947 to help promote in the Philippines the ideals and objectives of the United Nations. To this end, it strives at all times to promote world understanding, cooperation and peace among nations based on human dignity and universal friendship. UNAP is a member of the World Federation of United Nations Associations, based in New York and Geneva, Switzerland. UNAP undertakes a year-round continuing program of activities responsive to the needs of national development and international cooperation in consultation with the United Nations Information Center for the Philippines and in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Commission of Higher Education and the Department of Education. The youth arm of the UNAP is the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines. It also provides appropriate media to assist in the dissemination of information about the workings of the United Nations designed to enhance inter-cultural understanding within the country as well as international understanding, cooperation and peace through the annual celebration of the United Nations Week. The first UNAP President was Dr. Mariano V. delos Santos, an academician and socio-civic leader and founder of the University of Manila. Former UNAP Presidents include: Senator Geronima Pecson, Former Education Secretary Narciso Albarracin, Dr. Leticia de Guzman, former Congresswoman Dr. Minerva Laudico and Technological University of the Philippines President Dr. Adora S. Pili. The current President Emeritus of UNAP is Judge Aurora Navarette-Reciña and is headed by its President, Dr. Mona Dumlao-Valisno, former Secretary of the Department of Education.
Mission
The United Nations Association of the Philippines exists to help realize the ideals of the United Nations and to promote better understanding and appreciation of its aims, purposes and activities through information and advocacy programs, strategic partnerships and alliances with all sectors of Philippine society.
Vision
The United Nations Association of the Philippines envisions itself as a dynamic, multi-sectoral organization committed to the aims, purposes and activities of the United Nations for world understanding and international cooperation.
Purpose
The United Nations Association of the Philippines shall help actualize the ideals of the United Nations and to promote better understanding and appreciation of its activities in the maintenance of peace and security, in the acceleration of economic and social development, and in the promotions of harmonious relations among the nations of the world for the good of all mankind, and shall strive to involve the Filipino people in the attainment of these ends. To carry out its purposes, the UNAP shall:
have continuing program of activities responsive to the conditions and needs of national development as well as international progress;
provide for a systematic study and evaluation of its programs;
keep abreast of and be well-informed about the vital issues and trends within the purview of its concerns;
promote innovative activities designed to enhance intercultural understanding within the country as well as international understanding, cooperation and peace;
provide appropriate media for the dissemination of information about its work and that of the United Nations and its agencies;
associate and network with organizations, institutions, and agencies which have purposes similar to those of the UNAP;
participate, through duly designated representatives in national and international conferences, for a symposia and similar activities whose concerns are related to those of UNAP;
provide a system for stabilizing, maintaining, and managing the financial and other resources of UNAP;
solicit and accept donations, contributions and bequests in accordance with existing laws of the Republic of the Philippines;
undertake such other activities as the Biennial General Assembly and Board of Trustees shall deem appropriate and necessary.
According to UNAP President Emeritus Judge Aurora Navarette-Reciña, "The award was conceived 67 years ago by the late General Carlos P. Romulo to encourage people from all sectors of society to be role models in advocacy programs or endeavors that will put the country into the world map and give them due recognition for their greatness." The United Nations Association of the Philippines aims to award those who have made Filipinos proud in their diverse achievements personally and professionally and, like CPR, contributed to world peace and development. "In my blood runs the immortal seed that flowered down the centuries in deeds of courage and defiance,” thus reads what may be then United Nations General Assembly President Carlos P. Romulo’s most celebrated speech, “I am a Filipino."
