NONPROFITS AT THE ROOT OF THE UNITED NATIONS

Saturday April 25, 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Conference for International Organization (UNCIO), also known as the San Francisco Conference. It's a good time to learn about what took place and consider the incredible work that non profits, contributed to this effort. Imagine yourself taking part in this endeavor. First, consider the numbers: there were 850 official 'delegates' from 50 nations, 1500 civil society organizations consultants, experts and observers, and overall engagement of 6000 people participated and contributed for two months to vote on the final draft of the United Nations Charter. It was officially signed on June 26, 1945. San Francisco was recognized even then for its innovation, diversity, and entrepreneurship. The people of demonstrated incredible courage and capacity to rebuild after the devastating 1906 Earthquake. On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary the United Nations is celebrating and inviting everyone to share the voices and reflections of global civil society. Even in these times with the COVID-19 crisis, the UN reminds us about the urgency and key role that international cooperation and multilateralism to encourage sustainable solutions for our common future (#UN75). The University of San Francisco's Master of Nonprofit Administration is partnering with the United Nations Association San Francisco Chapter (UNA-USA-SF) with a multi-stakeholder consultation to reaffirm the importance of nonprofit/civil society and community voices.

Numerous nonprofits and civil society organizations actively participated in the San Francisco Conference, the first of its kind. Forty-two nonprofits, including faith-based organizations, civil-rights associations, and worker-business associations received a special status and invitation to be 'consultants' during the negotiations and drafting of the UN Charter. The consultants reflected the fundamental needs for people's participation in the ideation and legitimization of an international organizations dedicated to peace and security, human rights and human development, emergency management and international rule of law. It was an 'experiment-in-democracy' and the realized vision of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) who wanted to include these nonprofit / civil society organizations to actively contribute in the creation and success of this important post-WWII institution. Recognized women leader delegates such as Ms. Minerva Bernardino from the Dominican Republic and influential consultants like James Shotwell from the Carnegie Foundation, and W.E.B. Du Bois representing NAACP contributed to the inclusion of key language in the Preamble of the UN Charter.

We the Peoples of the United Nations determinate to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom...

The UNCIO consultants influenced the establishing of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as one of the six main organs of the United Nations. This allows us to have nonprofits / nongovernmental organizations have an important and recognized consultative status in this important and complex international / intergovernmental organization - the best institution we have to promote world peace. Non-governmental, non-profit public or voluntary organizations can be admitted into a mutually beneficial working relationship with the United Nations by attaining consultative status with ECOSOC and contribute to the works, goals and programs of the United Nations by serving as technical experts, advisers and sometimes as advocacy groups. Nonprofits / Civil society organizations can also establish a relationship with the United Nations Department of Global Communication (UN-DGC, formerly UNDPI) that organizes annual conferences on NGOs and related themes of concern at the United Nations.

This is a photo of the United Nations Conference on International Organization (UNCIO), voting on the UN Charter in the San Francisco Opera House on June 25, 1945. The signing of the UN Charter ceremony was held the following day June 26, 1945 at San Francisco’s Veterans’ War Memorial Building (Herbst Theatre).

Dr. Wu Yi Fang, a prominent Chinese figure who is best known for her role as President of Ginling College signing the UN Charter on 26 June, 1945. China was the first delegation to sign the UN Charter to recall that they were the first country to be attacked during WWII. Ms. Wu Yi Fang was one of the only four women official delegates along with Dr. Bertha Lutz (a Brazilian zoologist scientist and politician), Ms. Minerva Bernardino, President, Inter-American Commission of Women, member of the Delegation from the Dominican Republic who later contributed to the creation of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), and Dr. Virginia Gildersleeve, the only woman delegate from the U.S. and long-time Dean of Barnard College, co-founder of the International Federation of University. UN Photo/Acme. www.unmultimedia.org/photo/

On May 19, 1945, the UNCIO delegates and consultants visited Muir Woods National Monument and held a ceremony in the breathtaking Cathedral Grove. Field Marshal Jan Smuts addresses the audience at the dedication of the memorial plaque in honor of the late President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, chief architect of the United Nations who died on 12 April 1945 just a few days before the UNCIO. Save the Redwood League, an observant organization at UNCIO and a very active civil society for the protection and preservations of these ancient forests organized the visit of the delegates and consultants with a bus ride over the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods. When you visit Muir Woods, you can still see the plaque in the Cathedral Grove which commemorates this event to visitors today. UN Photo/Acme. www.unmultimedia.org/photo/

Archbishop Mitty of San Francisco meets T.V. Soong who became Premier of China during the UNCIO on that same day. They held a cocktail party at the Colonial Room of the St. Francis Hotel given by Madame and T.V. Soong, 1 June 1945.

Fr. William J. Dunne, SJ, President of the University of San Francisco, meeting with President Harry S. Truman at the closing of the UNCIO conference on June 26, 1945.

Interested in learning more? Check out Dr. Marco Tavanti's UN75 Blog at University of San Francisco https://usfblogs.usfca.edu/un75/