Join UNPO as Peoples’ Friends – A New Form of Global Alliance
The rights of peoples, both UNPO members and communities around the world, are facing growing threats. Rising authoritarianism, securitization, economic exploitation, and resource-driven conflicts increasingly undermine communities’ ability to shape their own futures. Centralized global power structures continue to marginalize voices and restrict meaningful participation at both national and international levels.
In this shifting geopolitical landscape, there is an urgent need for strategic partnerships and inclusive solutions, ones that place peoples and communities at the center of decision-making.
Within this framework, the Peoples’ Friends initiative offers a formal, invitation-based opportunity for aligned communities, organizations, and movements to engage with the UNPO’s mission. While Peoples’ Friends do not have voting rights or full access to all internal resources, they are welcomed into meaningful collaboration through advocacy campaigns, shared dialogue, and international visibility.
Peoples’ Friends: A Collective Platform for Transformation
In a time of fragmentation and rising inequality, UNPO members and the Secretariat acknowledge that no community should have to stand alone. The Peoples’ Friends initiative aims to create space for communities aligned with UNPO’s principles to join a growing, global community of solidarity and transformation.
When invited to join as a Peoples’ Friend, your People or Nation becomes part of a dynamic alliance committed to:
Strategic Solidarity: Work alongside UNPO members to co-create responses to shared global challenges. In today’s fragmented world, cross-regional solidarity is essential to defending self-determination, democracy, and dignity.
Shared Voice, Shared Power: Join a global effort to ensure that unrepresented communities are not only visible, but influential. Through UNPO’s platforms, events, and publications, People’s perspectives are amplified to reach civil society allies, policymakers, and global institutions. People’s Friends may participate under invitation, in advocacy campaigns, contribute to reports, and help shape international dialogues on peace, justice, and rights.
Shaping the Future, Together: This initiative is rooted in co-creation. As a Peoples’ Friend, your organisation or community representatives are invited to play an active role in building campaigns, forming alliances, and advancing a collective vision. Jointly with the UNPO members and secretariat, your community becomes part of shaping the future of global governance from the ground up.
If your community, organization, or initiative shares this vision, we invite you to explore the opportunity of joining as a Peoples’ Friend (See below).
What is UNPO People´s Friends?
Peoples’ Friends are part of UNPO’s broader network of solidarity and collaboration. A Peoples’ Friend refers to communities or organisations that adhere to the UNPO principles, thus benefiting from visibility, shared campaigns and participation in dialogue. The communities that may be invited to join this initiative include:
- Communities who have already achieved their desired levels of self-determination but wish to support other Peoples and Nations. This might include former UNPO members.
- Groups that can not claim to be “representative” of their People’s voice but work for the rights of their community
- Communities that cannot afford the full UNPO membership fee
- Those who are exploring initial collaboration with potential for full membership in the future eligibility is based on alignment with UNPO values, not financial or political status.
There is no fee to join as a Peoples’ Friend. However, and particularly in view of the organisation’s financial constraints, contributions are welcome and appreciated. These donations help sustain collective efforts and demonstrate shared commitment.
People’s Friend, is an invitation process extended by the UNPO Secretary General after consultation with the UNPO Presidency members. However, you can share your interest by writing to [email protected] .
For more information and next steps please visit our website here: www.unpo.org
For full flyer download here: Join UNPO as Peoples’ Friends- A New Form of Global Alliance
We look forward to learning more about your community and working together to advance dignity, representation, and the right to self-determination.
