Our work
Four areas, one method: work through the people already there.
Our mandate, amongst others, include championing and promoting human rights in all ramifications, especially through humanitarian activities; ensuring that every human being has the right to all the basic necessities of life; encouraging the support of the less endowed nations by the more endowed nations and encouraging peaceful relations amongst communities.
- 01
Decentralised cooperation
Cooperation carried by towns, not only by states.
UTA's founding premise is that the relationship between the North and the South is built most durably at the level of towns, cities and local authorities, the institutions closest to the people who live with the results. The agency connects local authorities across hemispheres and supports the partnerships that follow.
- 02
Sustainable development
The SDGs, pursued through chapter-led work.
Chapters identify local priorities and lead the resulting programmes. In Nigeria these have included irrigation systems, access to electricity, and the rehabilitation of hospitals and primary schools in rural communities of the Federal Capital Territory.
- 03
Dialogue and advocacy
Carrying local concerns into multilateral forums.
Holding Special Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC since 1995, UTA participates in sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council and convenes side-events on issues affecting the global South, including the 2023 session on the challenges facing the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa.
- 04
Humanitarian action
Human rights, pursued through practical work.
The agency's humanitarian activity proceeds from the principle that every person is entitled to the basic necessities of life, and includes recognition programmes honouring humanitarian service, alongside direct community projects delivered by chapters.
Programmes by chapter
Most delivery happens locally. Each chapter publishes its own areas of focus and activity.
Browse chapters →