Pera WELLS Secretary-General of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) (Australia/USA) Pera Wells is the Secretary-General of the World Federation of United Nations Associations, a peoples’ movement in support of the United Nations which was set up in 1946. There are now over 100 member UN Associations throughout the world, engaging the public in understanding the work of the United Nations for peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. Pera brings to this position the skills of an experienced Australian diplomat who had postings in New Delhi, London, New York and Accra. A highlight of her diplomatic career was her pioneering work on human rights. She was the Director of the first Human Rights Section in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and then went to London to establish the first Human Rights Unit in the International Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat where she worked in close partnership with the Program for the Advancement of Women. She has participated in major UN women’s conferences and been a strong advocate for the understanding that women’s rights are human rights. During the course of her career she has worked as a speech writer for the Australian Governor-General, consultant to major companies, including BHP, and enjoyed leadership positions in various civil society associations. She cites Alexis de Tocqueville that ‘how to combine is the mother of all knowledge’.