Special Events

Welcome Events
The Hospitality Committee hosts two Welcome Events a year, usually a Morning Coffee or Afternoon Tea, in the Fall and Spring, as a way to reach out to newly arrived UN Delegates and their spouses and introduce them to the activities of HCUND.
It is an opportunity for newly arrived families from different missions to meet each other as well as hear directly from HCUND volunteers about our mission, resources for newcomers to New York, how to register for our events, and information about upcoming programs.
During the past year we have been holding our Welcome Coffees on Zoom, but we look forward to hosting everyone in person when it is safe to do so.

Spring Luncheon
The annual Benefit Luncheon raises funds to support our English Language Program. HCUND provides English instruction for all levels at a modest fee with scholarships available, if needed. A lack of English was recognized very early by HCUND volunteers as a significant challenge for newly arrived delegate spouses. Our instructors have decades of experience working with our United Nations community.
The Luncheon provides a forum for distinguished speakers, often from the United Nations diplomatic community, who highlight important international topics and events.
For more information and to attend please see invitation.

Ambassadors’ Ball
The Ambassadors’ Ball is the HCUND’s elegant annual benefit and primary fundraiser inviting guests from the diplomatic and business communities for cocktails, fine dining, dancing, as well as a special Live Auction of luxurious items and world-wide exotic trips.
Ambassadors from around the world attend and each year, 15-20 UN Ambassadors donate dinners hosted at their residences to our Silent Auction. These dinners are the most popular items in the Silent Auction and have been appreciated and enjoyed by both hosts and guests as a lovely way for the United Nations community and its New York City guests to meet and learn more about each other.
You can visit our Online Silent Auction to bid on all the wonderful donations except these Ambassador Dinners. They are reserved for on the night bidding only.
Past venues have included the elegant & historic Metropolitan and Harvard Clubs.

Online Silent Auction
https://e.givesmart.com/events/rms/
The Hospitality Committee wishes to express our deepest appreciation
and gratitude to the Estate of Kofi Annan and to Mrs. Nane Annan for their
generous donation of items in support of our 2022 Silent Auction.
Silent Auction offerings will be available for
viewing, bidding and purchase beginning
NOVEMBER 1, 2022 – 5 P.M. TO DECEMBER 10, 2022 – 11 P.M.
Registering online is the quickest, easiest way to place bids and purchase
items in the auction. Simply register by entering your name, contact
information and payment method. Registering online will also help us
provide you with a speedy check-in and check-out at the event. Bidding
volunteers will be in place on the night of the Ball to assist any guest
without a device or who needs assistance.
Past Honorees
Ms. Ashley Bernhard
Founder & CEO Haven Hill, LLC
Citizen of the World Award
Ms. Bisila Bokoko
Founder & CEO BBES
Citizen of the World Award
Ms. Henrietta Fore
Executive Director of UNICEF
Citizen of the World Award
Dr. Kevin M. Cahill
Humanitarian Award
Steven Tyler
Janie’s Fund
Humanitarian Award
H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General of the UN
Geraldine Kunstadter
Albert Kunstadter
Family Foundation
Humanitarian Award
Joseph Verner Reed
Honoree
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Mrs. Ban Soon-taek
Honorees
Ellen V. Futter
President of the Museum of Natural History
Ambassadors’ Award
Dr. John Sexton
President of NYU
Ambassadors’ Award
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Mrs. Ban Soon-taek
Honorees
Tony Bennett
Citizen of the World Award
Walter Cronkite
Citizen of the World Award
Mrs. Nelson A. Rockefeller
Citizen of the World Award
Nelson R. Mandela
Freedom Award
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar
Citizen of the World Award
R. E. (Ted) Turner
Citizen of the World Award
Elmer Holmes Bobst, Philanthropist
Humanitarian Award
Jacques Yves Cousteau
Humanitarian Award
Dr. Thomas S. Durant,
Physician, Teacher, American Refugee Committee
Humanitarian Award
Trudie Styler
Founder, Rainforest Foundation International
Humanitarian Award
Trygve Lie
First Secretary-General
Humanitarian Award, posthumous, accepted by Guri Lie Zeckendorf in memory of her father
HCUND Recent Benefactors

