About this Event
2026 UN Day Global Leadership Awards
Global goals. North Texas action.
Join the United Nations Association of the USA, Dallas Chapter for the 2026 UN Day Global Leadership Awards, an annual celebration of the North Texas leaders and organizations turning the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into meaningful action in our communities.
On Saturday, October 24, 2026, we’ll gather at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in Dallas to recognize exceptional changemakers whose leadership is helping build a more prosperous, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient world.
This year’s program will feature Farah Eck, Managing Director for the United Nations Association of the USA, as our 2026 keynote speaker.
The Global Leadership Awards bring together community leaders, advocates, students, professionals, UNA-USA members, and supporters for a celebration of service, leadership, and the extraordinary work happening across North Texas.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM
Location: J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
Address: 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Celebrating Local Action for Global Impact
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals address some of the most important challenges facing communities around the world, from poverty, hunger, health, and education to equality, climate action, strong institutions, and global partnerships.
Here in North Texas, individuals and organizations are bringing those goals to life every day.
The UN Day Global Leadership Awards recognize the lasting achievements and meaningful contributions of those leaders. Since the awards began, UNA Dallas has honored more than 80 North Texans and organizations whose work demonstrates what global progress can look like at the local level.
Past honorees include Ms. Opal Lee, AT&T, Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, Parkland Health & Hospital System, Kimberly-Clark, Ericsson, Trammell S. Crow, Miguel Solis, and Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, among many others.
2026 Honorees
The 2026 UN Day Global Leadership Award recipients will be announced Monday, September 28.
Honorees will represent individuals and organizations whose work advances one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, along with this year’s recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Lifetime Achievement Award.
About Our Keynote Speaker
Farah Eck
Managing Director
United Nations Association of the USA
Farah Eck serves as Managing Director of Programs & Policies for the United Nations Association of the USA, where she oversees national programs, chapter support, communications strategy, and member engagement.
Her connection to UNA-USA began long before she joined its national leadership. Farah spent more than seven years as a UNA-USA volunteer, serving as President of the UNA Chicago Chapter, a board member, and a National Council Member representing the Great Lakes Region.
Her career has spanned fundraising, nonprofit capacity building, communications, stakeholder engagement, and international leadership. Before joining the United Nations Foundation, Farah led the global Membership Division for Lions Clubs International and previously served as Alumni and Volunteer Relations Director for the Young African Leadership Initiative Regional Leadership Center East Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.
A global citizen who has lived and worked in 32 countries, Farah brings a uniquely local and international perspective to the work of building stronger communities and engaging people in global affairs.
Her journey from UNA-USA volunteer to national leader reflects something at the heart of UN Day itself: meaningful global change often begins with people choosing to act right where they are.
About UNA-USA Dallas
The United Nations Association of the USA, Dallas Chapter educates, inspires, and mobilizes North Texans to support the life-saving work of the United Nations and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
As part of UNA-USA’s nationwide grassroots network, the Dallas Chapter connects global issues with local action through education, advocacy, community programs, youth engagement, and recognition of North Texans working to make a difference.
The world needs the UN. The UN needs US.
Reserve your seat and join us on October 24 as we celebrate the people showing what global leadership looks like right here in North Texas.
Event venue & nearby stays
J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, United States
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