Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen Memorial Lecture presents:

Key Issues Facing the World

and the United Nations

Featuring our Guest Speaker:

U.S. Representative Jim Himes

Representing Connecticut’s 4th District since 2009

United Nations Day

October 24, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Trefz Forum, Westport Library

20 Jesup Green, Westport, CT

Q and A will follow.

JUNE DAY 2024

Make it stand out.

The 59th Annual jUNe Day

Saturday June 29th, 2024

Westport CT is a top summer destination - and we hope members of the United Nations Staff and Delegates and Agencies will be our guests. Come be special guests at a small town festival as we partner with Westport Sunrise Rotary’s Duck Race. We’ll welcome you with breakfast and a special jUNe Day memento. We offer free access to the Beach. Tennis, Soccer, Nature Center and Model Farm. Golf is available (you only pay municipal greens fees).

We can help you do it all.

ADVANCE REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE JUNE 27TH. WE DO ACCEPT WALK-INS BUT CANNOT GUARANTEE BREAKFAST.

Learn More

Thanksgiving Hospitality 2023

Each year UNA USA Southwestern CT matches local hosts with international students. Our hosts love introducing Thanksgiving to students who have never experienced it before and forming new friendships. Please contact us if you would like to be a host next year.

Some comments from the students this year:

“I wanted to learn more about Thanksgiving and engage with new people. My favorite memory was dinner time where we shared some stories & also get to know about each other's culture.”

“I wanted to meet with new people and make friendly conversation and memories. I enjoyed all of it!.”

Watch the Secretary General’s Message

on United Nations Day

October 24th, 2023

And attend these in-person events - the UN Flag will be raised and the Secretary General’s message will be delivered:

Norwalk Town Hall: 10:00

Weston Middle School: 10:15

Westport Town Hall: 3:30

Identifying Creative Opportunities to Solve Global Challenges: A View from the Arabian Gulf

Ambassador Tareq M.A.M. AlBanai

Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen Memorial Speaker

Westport Library

United Nations Day, October 24th, 2023 7:00 PM

This event has been postponed. If you would like to discuss feel free to contact UNA SWCT President Bill Hass at 203-454-7685.

Ambassador Albanai’s talk comes at a time of dynamic change in diplomatic relations among a number of Gulf nations and their long-standing adversaries, potentially offering opportunities for improved global cooperation.

Ambassador Albanai has held key positions representing his government at the United Nations, where he has served twice, most recently since 2017. Previously, he worked as Counsellor and Head of Political Affairs in the Office of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait. Prior to that he was Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Kuwait in Madrid. He has long experience dealing with issues of disarmament and also served twice in the Embassy of Kuwait in Tehran. A graduate of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Albanai is fluent in Arabic, English and Spanish.

The 58th Annual jUNe Day

Saturday June 24th, 2023

Westport CT is a top summer destination - and we hope members of the United Nations Staff and Delegates and Agencies will be our guests. Come and enjoy a small town festival as we partner with Westport Sunrise Rotary’s Duck Race. We’ll welcome you with breakfast and a special jUNe Day memento. Beach. Tennis. Golf. Soccer. Nature Center. Model Farm. We can help you do it all. ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

We do accept walk-ins, but cannot guarantee that breakfast will be available since we pre-order them. However, there are food trucks and cafes nearby.

Learn More

Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson visit Westport and Bridgeport and discuss their award-winning book, When Stars are Scattered. Their talk reached over 600 young people.

Watch the Video

Upcoming Events

June Day Participants visiting Wakeman Farm

International Women's Day - March 8 2022

Board Member Dennis Wong at the Installation of the Peace Pole at Staples High School

Installation of the Peace Pole at Staples High School

Dr. Mary Tucker Carlson at the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Lecture

Dr. Mary Tucker Carlson and guests at the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Lecture

Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker:

Reimagining Our Environmental Future Together: Journeying from Impasse to Inspired Action

Our Inaugural Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Lecturer

See Photos/Watch a Replay

October 24th, 2022 7:00 PM Westport Library, Westport CT

In Memory of Arline Gertzoff

We mourn the loss of longtime Board of Directors’ member Arline Gertzoff who passed away on September 27th. A memorial service will be held at Westport Town Hall on November 12th at 2:30 PM.
As a stalwart member of the UNASWCT, Arline has served as hospitality coordinator for jUNe Day since 1998 and later took charge of all jUNe Day food operations. Arline has also served for a number years on the Board of Directors as Membership Chair and currently as Treasurer.

She also served as a member of the United Nations Association (UNA) National Council, the advisory body for the national organization headquartered in Washington DC.While teaching at the Antwerp International School in Belgium from 1973-1998, Arline became involved with the Model UN.For many years, Arline has been very active in Westport's town affairs, most notably, as a member of Westport's Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and the Democratic Town Committee. She readily shared her knowledge of local affairs and strongly advocated for strengthening the UN's continuing relationship with the Town of Westport. In devoting her life to international, national and local causes she set a positive example for us all.
Arline will be greatly missed,
Bill Hass, PresidentUnited Nations Association of Southwestern CT