Who We Are
The Story of Global South Group: A Vision for Sustainable Empowerment
For decades, Princess Makonnen has championed causes for marginalized groups and equality. Her collaboration with international organizations, including UNA-UK Laser, has positioned the Global South Group as a key advocate for the UN’s SDGs, ensuring no community is left behind.
We are the UNA Global South Group a coalition of dedicated grassroots activists and global thinkers focused on advancing sustainable development and the UN SDGs Agenda 2030. As a recognized entity within the UNA-UK LASER, we believe that every individual has the right to live with dignity, equality, and hope. Our mission is to serve as a bridge connecting local communities, institutions, international organizations and governments, to drive meaningful and lasting change.
Founded in 2018 and registered in 2020, we operate at the intersection of advocacy, inclusion, and development guided by the principle that dignity and justice must be shaped by the people most affected.
The Global South Group was born out of a profound need to address the growing inequities faced by vulnerable communities in the Global South. Guided by the vision and leadership of H.H. Princess Makonnen, the organization emerged as a beacon of hope and action, blending legacy and innovation to drive transformative change.
Today, Princess Makonnen leads a passionate team of changemakers, tackling global challenges with fresh ideas and a commitment to building a brighter future for the Global South.
We’re worldwide non-profit charity.
Our Objectives
Amplify Local Voices
We work to ensure that communities in the Global South are heard, respected, and represented not just spoken for.
Build inclusive leadership
We nurture bold, ethical leadership especially among youth, women, and marginalized groups to catalyze inclusive change from the ground up.
Advance the SDGs
We align all our work with the UN 2030 Agenda, addressing poverty, inequality, education, health, gender equality, climate resilience, peace, and inclusive institutions.
Promote peace and rights
We advocate for accountable governance, inclusive peacebuilding, and the protection of rights across all borders, rooted in nonviolence and international law.
Support innovation and equity
We support locally driven, tech-enabled, and culturally grounded solutions that tackle systemic challenges in health, education, livelihoods, and governance.
Unite movements and communities
We build bridges between communities, movements, and regions — especially across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the diaspora — to unite struggles and share solutions.
Ensure accountability
We monitor global and local institutions, demand transparency, and call for ethical policymaking that centers people over profit.
Imagine sustainable futures
We encourage bold thinking, creative advocacy, and visionary policymaking — imagining futures rooted in care, sustainability, and collective well-being.
UNA Global South
Leadership & Governance
UNA Global South is guided by a committed team of Executive Officers, Trustees, and regional leaders who ensure our work is ethical, transparent, and community-led. All leadership positions are held by active members elected during our Annual General Meeting (AGM), as outlined in our Constitution.
At the heart of our leadership is the Executive Committee, a dedicated group of elected officers who guide UNA Global South’s strategy, ensure accountability, and drive day-to-day operations. Together, they uphold our values, support our regional and thematic work, and ensure that our mission is translated into meaningful action across all levels of the organisation.
Our Core Operating Principles
WHAT GUIDES US
Equality
We believe justice begins when every person regardless of background, status, or gender has the same rights, resources, and respect.
Inclusivity
We intentionally create spaces where all identities are not just welcomed but heard, seen, and valued as part of the solution.
Sustainability
We build long-term solutions rooted in dignity, environmental justice, and intergenerational impact not short-term fixes.
Collaboration
We co-create with communities, not for them. Our work is built through shared leadership, trust, and movement solidarity.
Transparency
We are accountable to the people we serve openly sharing our decisions, finances, and progress with humility and honesty.
UNA Global South
Get to Know Us
As a member of the UNA-UK family, UNA Global South participates in national and international campaigns and advocacy efforts supporting the United Nations’ goals. We also collaborate with like-minded organizations focused on peace, development, gender equity, and refugee inclusion both within the UK and globally.
UNA Global South is more than an advocacy platform it is a movement grounded in the lived realities of the Global South and guided by the principle that sustainable change must be led by the communities it serves. From advancing peace and equity to shaping solutions in health, education, and climate resilience, we connect local voices to global decision-making processes. Independent yet globally networked, we serve as a catalyst for innovation, solidarity, and transformative action ensuring that the priorities of the world’s most underrepresented regions are not only heard but meaningfully addressed.
Our Founding Principles and Values
Core Values for Lasting Impact
We break barriers to ensure fair access, prioritize long-term impact, and equip communities with the tools to lead their own progress. By partnering with global and local stakeholders, we create community-driven solutions where the voices of those we serve shape every initiative.
Equity
We break barriers for fair access to opportunities.
Sustainability
We focus on long-term impact for future youth.
Empowerment
We equip communities to own their progress.
Collaboration
We achieve change through global and local partnerships.
