The United Nations is a creation of countries and civil society committed to proposing positive social change, protecting the planet and promoting human rights.
It was born in the United States 70 years ago this weekend. In a three-month negotiation in San Francisco, the U.N. Charter was created that provided a bold blueprint for priorities to build a better world.
Unlike its predecessor, the League of Nations, the U.N. has reached maturity and is relevant for many people in their pursuit of a purposeful and meaningful life.
In the aftermath of the Holocaust, 50 nations were the moral architects drafting a document to ensure equality and dignity for all.
The U.N. Charter, like the U.S. Constitution, recognizes "we the people" as the core element of its existence affirming a people-centered approach to its advocacy.
The U.N. ensures basic human rights by providing the right to food to 90 million people in nearly half of the nations and the right to health, saving 30 million women annually with maternal health programs.
Today, 193 member states meet to discuss, develop and determine priorities to demand peace, human security and sustainable development.
More than ever, the challenges confronting every country and community are global in nature.
The climate crisis illustrates the interconnectedness of our issues from international affairs to our island atmosphere.
While we are all affected in unique ways around the world, our common future requires collective courage and creativity.
The December negotiations in Paris securing specific adaptation practices along with carbon emission promises will provide a path and choice for our people and planet.
However, the importance is not only international but in our islands. The United Nations just last month adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that were the most consultative process the world has ever seen.
While there were over 50 conversations in communities and cities across the country, over 73,000 Americans voted for goals for our government to concentrate on.
The United Nations Association in Hawaii hosted a series of campus and community dialogues to prioritize beyond politics what matters to people. Students, civil society and public servants shared what they value and stated their vision for a post-2015 sustainable development agenda for all.
The Global To-Do List illustrates the voice of our islands to share our vision of the world we want. Already, Hawaii youth have created short films sharing what the global goals mean to them.
Another international institution important to our islands is the new U.N. Human Rights Council with its unique Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
Now, every nation has its human rights temperature taken with three reports and a multi-hour review every handful of years.
The U.S. review resulted in specific recommendations that can add to the quality of life in Hawaii.
Currently, the U.N. Human Rights Council president from Germany is a graduate of Kalani High School.
He recently spoke via Skype to Hawaii students about careers in multilateral diplomacy and making a difference "close to home" with recommendations from the UPR.
One more example of how the new U.N. process relating to rights could be of assistance is the nearly 50 special procedures of thematic experts and working groups.
These procedures invite rapporteurs to meet all segments of society beyond our silos and synthesize a rights-based approach blueprint.
For example, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing could be invited to visit and voice potential paths here in Hawaii. The result could ensure decency and dignity for all.
Both of these recent international initiatives provide a process for political participation to guarantee our fundamental freedoms.
Hawaii can continue to ensure we do our check-up for the health of our human rights and our Earth home.
