The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) is a global nonprofit organization working for a stronger and more effective United Nations.
Established in 1946, we represent and coordinate a membership of over 100 United Nations Associations and their thousands of members.
Located in UN Headquarters in New York and Geneva, WFUNA works with a large network of partners from the UN, NGOs, the diplomatic community, academia and educational institutions to offer students a rare and intimate view into the workings of the UN.

Hope to the Future Association is an important partner for WFUNA in our efforts to educate and engage youth in international affairs and the work of the United Nations around the three pillars: peace and security, sustainable development and human rights.

Our common perspective is that the understanding of the objectives and functioning of the UN as well as development issues should be an important part in the students' curriculum beginning in high school. Our mutual goal is to advance global youth leadership, skills building and the development of critical thinking, presentation, problem-solving and communication skills.

It is in the context of our fruitful collaboration with the Hope to the Future Association that I am delighted to support the annual Global Leadership English Challenge (GLEC) and welcome all officially selected participants to this program. I would like to express my congratulations to you for becoming part of this important international English competition for youth.

The forthcoming GLEC initiative will be launched under the theme "MDGs and SDGs" and through a preliminary round from 25 March to 29 April 2013. The final round of the program will take place from 25 to 26 May 2013. During the program, participants will develop their understanding and knowledge on the background, key issues, challenges and opportunities of the Post-2015 Development Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

I am convinced that this experience will be most valuable for your development as global citizens and that you will greatly benefit from the program content zprovided to you. I also hope to meet some of you in the context of WFUNA's Training at the UN: Korea Program, implemented in UN headquarters in Geneva and New York in August 2013 and at the WFUNA Youth Camp in January 2014 in partnership with the Hope to the Future Association.

I wish you all the best of luck for the program as well as for your future endeavors.