Juana Han of UNA-USA on Why Camaraderie Is a Woman's Greatest Skill in Civic Engagement

Juana Han is a student advocate from Atlanta and a student assemblymember on the Georgia-Carolinas board of the United Nations Association of the United States (UNA-USA). She also serves as Georgia Chair for the American Youth Association, and has represented UNA-USA at the 2026 ECOSOC Youth Forum and the 70th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).

In this Q&A, Juana shares what drew her into UNA-USA and what it was like to speak at side events during the 81st United Nations General Assembly, a standout moment from the American Youth Association's national advocacy day, and her advice for young women who want to get involved in civic engagement but are not sure where to start.

Her message is a hopeful one: real change starts with people showing up for real issues, and the most valuable resource for any woman is the other women around her.

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Q: What led you to get involved with UNA-Georgia, and what was it like representing Georgia-Carolinas as a delegate at the UN Town Hall with the Secretary-General candidates?

A few years ago, I managed to scoop up an administrative internship with the Consulate General of Korea in Atlanta. What initially started as a very low-stakes employment opportunity became the foundation for my interest in American foreign policy. Around a year later, I discovered the United Nations Association of the U.S. via a colleague. That summer, I was invited to attend a flagship event for UNA in Washington, D.C. alongside senior associates from the Atlanta Council of Foreign Affairs, and ever since, I've been sold on doing my part to expand UNA's Georgia chapter. Post-flagship, I've been elected as a UNA-USA student assemblymember for the Georgia-Carolinas board, and have represented the group both during the 2026 ECOSOC Youth Forum and 70th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).

Most recently, during my attendance at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, I was able to collaborate with Article 109 (a global think tank dedicated to the renewal of the U.N. Charter) and compile a compendium on the next Secretary-General candidates for UNA-USA review! The experience was equal parts exciting and super nerve-wracking - I've had plenty of speaking engagements in the past, but it never really seems to quell the adrenaline rush I get when I'm on a microphone in front of new people - especially all seven of our new Secretary-General candidates. I ended up addressing two separate side events and was given high commendations from Article 109 in their official statement. In all honesty, my favorite thing about my time there was getting the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Being in an environment where you feel like the least knowledgeable person in the room is honestly the best place to be. Especially for young women!

Q: Can you share a moment from that experience, or from your role as Georgia Chair for the American Youth Association, that stood out to you?

Our national advocacy day this September! Getting to see people from across the country unite on a single front, on a single day, on a single mission, is such an incredible feeling. The Georgia Chapter spent three days at the Capitol with Governor Kemp and several state representatives in order to promote the American Youth Association's mission, and it was a huge success.

AYA-Georgia was specifically aiming to platform HB 463, which would lower state income tax and increase fiscal transparency for Georgian citizens. Despite how offensively dull the topic seems (especially for a demographic of people who don't yet have to worry about mortgages), it was incredibly empowering seeing these young people advocate for real, tangible issues that have real, tangible impacts. It made me feel hopeful.

Q: What's one piece of advice you'd give other young women who want to get involved in advocacy or civic engagement but aren't sure where to start?

Ask around! The most valuable resource for any woman will always be other women. The most daunting thing about pursuing this field is that there is quite a gap between the amount of women present in civic engagement and the amount of women in decision-making spaces in civics. It's important to remind ourselves that women have the most visibility now than they've largely ever had in recorded history, and maintaining that momentum means acknowledging and celebrating that while also fighting to achieve new milestones.

Find local women involved in causes you're interested in, believe in, or support. For civic engagement specifically - look towards your representatives, your community leaders, and women who you feel make a positive difference in the everyday. Camaraderie will always be your greatest skill.

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