What?
Where? How?
The United Nations
is an international organization comprising 192 Member States. As the "town
hall of global affairs", its work affects our every day life. As the provider
of information on practically every area of human activity, it gives everyone
something to learn.
This information guide has been prepared to help you find answers
to the most commonly asked questions regarding the United Nations and its work.
For ease of reference, it has been organized in alphabetical order.
1. Anthem
Athough many songs have been written about the United Nations or
related themes, there is no official anthem or hymn for the Organization.
The United Nations General Assembly has recognized the need for an
official song and accordingly has reserved the right for its selection and
adoption. To date, no decision has been taken on this matter. The United
Nations does not maintain a file of musical compositions or accept suggestions
for this purpose. Moreover, the United Nations does not publish music nor does
it have information on specific musical titles or publications.
2. Archives
The United
Nations Archives and Records Centre provides access to United Nations
documents and declassified Secretariat records. Visits are by appointment and
pre-registration only. Contact the Centre for preliminary reference service,
to make an appointment with the archivist or to ensure that your registration
form has been received. This process is mandatory. Once at the Centre, you
will be required to present valid photo identification (driver’s license or passport).
Those wishing to conduct research should first review relevant printed UN official
documents available at United Nations Information Centres,
Depository Libraries or
the United Nations Official Document System.
UN documentation provides context for the Centre's archival records and could reduce
the time necessary for research in New York.
There is a charge for each page of printed material photocopied at
the Archives. For service charges and other information, please contact:
UN Archives and Records Centre
Room FF-109
New York, NY 10017
Tel. (212) 963-8681
Fax: (212) 963-4414/8686
Email: arms@un.org
Internet : http://archives.un.org/unarms
The Audio-Visual Production Libraries Unit is the depository of
historical film footage, beginning with the League of Nations, the founding of
the United Nations and the restored film coverage of UNRAA - the United Nations
Relief and Rehabilitation Administration in Europe(1945-1947). It is also the
depository of current audio-visual coverage.
Video footage and archival material services are provided only to
broadcasters and independent producers working for broadcast companies or
networks.
Requests for information and visual materials may be addressed to :
Multimedia Resources Unit:
Audio-Visual/Archival Material
Room S-805M/N
United Nations, New York, NY 10017
Tel.(212) 963-6819/7319
Fax:(212) 963-1658
Email : avlibr@un.org
Video Footage/Archival Material
Room S-2B-66
Fax:(212) 963-4501
Email: gonzalezm@un.org
Internet: http://www.un.org/av/tv/archives.htm
4. Bookshop
The
United Nations Bookshop in New York has hundreds
of books and periodicals issued in many languages by the United Nations, its agencies and programmes.
Postcards, United Nations calendars, posters and children's books are also for sale. The Bookshop,
located in the Public Concourse, is closed on weekends in January and February.
For more information, contact:
United Nations Bookshop
Room GA-32
1st Avenue and 46th Street
New York, NY 10017
Tel. (1-800)-553-3210(Toll-free for USA and Canada)
Tel. (212) 963-7680
Fax: (212) 963-4910
Email: bookshop@un.org
Internet: http://unp.un.org/bookshop
For hours of operation, please contact the bookshop by email or phone.
Procurement for United Nations Headquarters in New York, the UN peacekeeping missions, regular programme activities of the Regional Economic Commissions and, from time to time, other organizations in the UN system, is coordinated by the Procurement Division at the UN Secretariat. People interested in doing business with the UN should write to request inclusion in the Supplier Roster.
Upon receipt and acceptance of the completed questionnaire, the firm's name will be added to the roster and be given equal consideration in the selection process. Please contact :
Procurement Division
United Nations Secretariat
New York, NY 10017
Tel. (212) 963-1468
Fax: ( 212) 963-3503
E-mail: register@un.org
Internet: http://www.un.org/Depts/ptd/index.html
6. Coffee
Shop
The Coffee Shop, located in the Public Concourse at UN Headquarters in
New York, is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:45 pm.
Most public information materials, including press releases, fact
sheets and features, produced by the Department of Public Information are not
copyrighted and can be reproduced without prior permission. UN sales
publications are copyrighted and thus require written permission for
reproduction. Requests for permission to reproduce United Nations material
should be directed to:
Publications Board
United Nations
Room L-382C
New York, NY 10017
Tel. (212) 963-4664
Fax : (212) 963- 0077
Email:permissions@un.org
8. Dining
Room
The Delegates' Dining Room at UN Headquarters is open for lunch
Monday through Friday. A reservation is necessary and should be made as far in
advance as possible, by calling (212) 963-7625. Business attire is required:
jackets for men; jeans, shorts, sneakers and flip-flops are not permitted.
Hours: Monday to Friday – 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
The United Nations accepts voluntary financial contributions
provided that the purposes for which the contributions are made are consistent
with the policies, aims and activities of the Organization.
People who wish to make contributions to the United Nations can
make cheques or money orders payable to the United Nations. Cheques or money
order for amounts less than US$100 should be drawn on the US branch of any
bank. Contributions can be sent to:
The Treasurer
Room S-2770A
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
10. Emblem
Use of the UN emblem is restricted. During its first session in 1946, the General Assembly
in adopting resolution 92 (I), decided that, to prevent the misuse of the United Nations emblem,
the emblem could not be used without the authorization of the Secretary-General.
Anyone wishing to use the United Nations emblem must submit an official request in writing to:
Office of Legal Affairs
United Nations
Room S-3430
New York, NY 10017
The United Nations periodically recruits qualified personnel in several
categories, including technical assistance experts, professional and general service staff.
A fact-sheet outlining employment opportunities with the UN, is available from the Public Inquiries
Unit, or on-line at http://www.un.org/geninfo/faq/factsheets/fs17.pdf.
For a listing of current job vacancies, interested candidates may consult the United Nations website at:http://jobs.un.org.
Please note that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process
(application, interview meetings, processing, training or any other fees).
Kindly also note that the United Nations does not concern itself with information on bank accounts.
Candidates seeking professional employment should contact:
Professional & Above Staffing Section
Room S-2500
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Tel. (212) 963-1089
Fax. (212) 963-3134
Email: staffing@un.org
Candidates seeking employment in the general service category
should contact:
General Service & Related Categories Staffing Unit
Room DC1-0200
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Tel.(212) 963-8876
Fax.(212) 963-3726
Email: gsapplications@un.org
Please note that general service staff of each major office away
from Headquarters is recruited locally, that is, from the area in which the
particular office is located.
Exhibits in the General Assembly Visitors' Lobby require scheduling
and review by the Exhibits Committee six months in advance. Exhibits should
relate to a UN theme and must be sponsored or co-sponsored by a UN agency,
department or Member State.
Written proposals for an exhibit must be addressed to the Chairman
of the Exhibits Committee by the head of the sponsoring body, and can be sent
to:
Exhibits Committee
Attn: Secretary
Room L-382C
United Nations
New York, New York 10017
Fax: (212) 963-0077
For information on artistic content, space allocation and logistics,
please contact:
Ms. Jan Arnesen
Chief, Exhibits Unit
Room S-994D
United Nations
New York, New York 10017
Fax: (212) 963-2218
Email: arnesen@un.org
Please include a comprehensive dossier with colour photographs or photocopies
of artwork with your application form for submission to the Exhibits Committee. Do not
send original photos or artwork that must be returned to the sender.
13. Films/Videos
The Department of Public Information offers a wealth of videos, television programmes
and archival film material to broadcasters and producers. Almost every aspect of the work of
the United Nations and its specialized agencies is covered in the approximately 100 films and
videos currently in circulation. A catalogue and/or information on UN films and audio-visual
products may be accessed on its website:http://www.unmultimedia.org
For more information for broadcasters and producers, please contact:
Promotion and Distribution Unit
Department of Public Information
United Nations
Room S-805 A
New York, NY 10017
Tel.(212) 963-6939/6953
Email: audio-visual@un.org
Internet: http://www.unmultimedia.org
Please note that the United Nations
does not provide a direct loan or rental service to the public.
14.
Flags
Although the
UN flag
may be freely displayed to demonstrate support for the UN and its work, use of the UN flag is regulated
by the United Nations Flag Code and Regulations, which states that on no account shall the flag or
a replica thereof be used for commercial purposes or in direct association with an article of merchandise.
The United Nations flag and the
flags of all Member States are available from the
United Nations Gift Centre.
15. Gift
Centre
The Gift Centre, located in the Public Concourse at UN
Headquarters, carries a variety of United Nations and New York City souvenirs,
unique handicrafts and a wide selection of international gifts and accessories
from around the world. It is closed on weekends during the months of January and February.
For more information, contact:
United Nations Gift Centre
New York, NY 10017
Tel.(212) 963-7700
Tel.(877) 286-4438 (toll-free)
Hours: Monday to Sunday - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
16. Guided
Tours of UN and arrangements for Group Programmes
Guided tours of United Nations
Headquarters are conducted Monday to Friday. The building is closed on some holidays,
including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
A limited schedule may be in effect during the general debate of the General Assembly
(mid-September to mid-October), between Christmas and New Year and during special conferences and events.
Children under five years of age are not permitted on tour.
For more information, please contact:
Guided Tours Unit
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-TOUR(8687)
Tel. 212-963-7539(For tours in languages other than English)
Tel. 212-963-4440(For group reservations)
Email: toursunhq@un.org
Internet: http://www.un.org/tours
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:45 am to 4:45 pm
Groups of 15 or more who want to take a guided tour of the United Nations
should make reservations in advance through Guided Tours Reservations. Please call
(212) 963-4440, or send an email to unitg@un.org.
For groups of 20 or more (9th grade and above), the Group Programmes Unit
can arrange briefings by Secretariat officials. Requests should be made a minimum of 4
weeks in advance.
As a general policy, briefings are not scheduled on weekends or holidays.
The United Nations does not arrange speaking engagements by representatives of the Member
States or Observers. Such arrangements should be made in writing directly to the Permanent
Missions of Member States, or to Observer Missions to the United Nations in question.
Outside speaking engagements-whereby a Secretariat official is invited to
address an audience of at least 100 people at your location-can be arranged on request,
in writing, with a minimum of six week’s advance notice.
Video-conferences can be arranged on request, in writing, with a
minimum of one month’s notice.
All requests should include the following information:
• name and address of the group requesting a speaker
• contact person responsible for group, including address, phone number and e-mail address
• detailed profile of group
• number of participants
• the date(s) and time(s) desired, including an alternative date if available
and be addressed to:
Group Programmes Unit
Room GA-61
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-7710
Email: unitg@un.org
The UN Public Inquiries Unit handles all questions, comments or inquiries
from the general public about the United Nations and its work. If you are looking for
a UN resolution or a UN report, PIU will help you find the right document and, if it is
free material, send it to you free of charge. Teachers of courses on the work of the
United Nations can also request teaching materials, including a specially prepared Teacher's Kit
Please contact the Public Inquiries Unit at the following address:
Public Inquiries Unit.
United Nations
Room: GA-57
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-4475
Fax. 212-963-0071
Email: inquiries@un.org
Internet: http://www.un.org/geninfo/faq
18. Internship
The United
Nations Headquarters Internship Programme organizes internships for graduate students.
Internships are offered three times a year on a two-month basis.
For more information on eligibility, application procedure and other questions,
please contact:
Internship Programme
Room S-2500 F
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Email: OHRM_Interns@un.org
Internet: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/sds/internsh/index.htm
The Dag Hammarskjöld Library ’s primary function is to help delegations,
members of the Secretariat and other official groups of the Organization obtain materials and information needed for
their work. The library maintains an archival collection of UN documents, provides electronic access to this collection
and administers a network of United Nations depository libraries worldwide.
Tel. 212-963-7412 For a list of depository libraries, visit: http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/deplib/
United Nations documents are accessible full-text via the Official Document System (ODS) at:
http://documents.un.org
20. Medals The United Nations Secretary-General has established a United Nations
medal for award to military personnel who are or have been in the peacekeeping service
of the United Nations. All awards of the medal are subject to the approval of governments
of the countries from which the soldiers are enlisted. Current or former peacekeepers who
believe they are entitled to a UN medal should contact their countries’ governments.
For more information, please check the internet at http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/medals.
21. Member States The United Nations provides no information on individual Member
States. Material on topics such as political, economic and social
systems and/or opinions of Member States on selected topics may be obtained
through the information service, embassy, or Permanent Mission to the UN of the country concerned. A list of Permanent missions to the United Nations
(representative office of a Member country) to the United Nations may be obtained from the Public Inquiries Unit or at:
http://www.un.org/members/. 22. Model
UN The Model UN is a simulation of United Nations meetings in which students assume the role of diplomats representing various nations.
Any school may set up its own Model UN programme. No permission is required. For more information, see:
http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/modelun/index.asp In the United States, the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA)
coordinates a nationwide student programme. Several thousand students from the sixth grade through graduate
school take part in the model UN conferences each year. Education Coordinator 23. NGOs
(Non-governmental organizations) Non-governmental organizations, in consultative status with the
Economic and Social Council, or associated with the Department of Public
Information, work closely with the United Nations in support of its aims and
objectives. Non-Governmental Organizations Section For information on DPI/NGO activities, contact: NGO Section 24. Observances A list of United Nations Conferences and Observances as well as
information material on specific observances (i.e. United Nations Day and Human
Rights Day) can be accessed at: http://www.un.org/events 25. Photographs The UN Photo Library has a collection of more than 800,000 photographs
dating back to 1945, which chronicle the history of the Organization and its work.
The photographs also show the work of the UN and its specialized agencies in the field,
and cover topics such as peacekeeping, agriculture, health, natural resources, education
and the environment. . Prints are available to journalists, magazines, book publishers,
film and TV producers. UN photographs can be reproduced for editorial purposes only.
They may not be used in advertising. All photos used must give credit to UN Photo. UN Photo Library 26. Publications The United Nations Publications Sales and Marketing Section makes
available publications produced by the Organization. It is also a source for
publications of the funds and programmes of the United Nations, including UNICEF,
the United Nations University and the United Nations Environment Programme.
About 400 titles are released each year. The range of subjects is as varied as
the issues tackled by the United Nations as it works to improve the lives of people worldwide.
United Nations Publications For all other orders, contact the Geneva office: Email:unpubli@unog.ch 27. Radio Daily programmes are produced by United Nations Radio in Arabic, Chinese, English, French,
Russian,
Spanish,
Portuguese and
Swahili.
To access these programmes, go to: http://radio.un.org. The United Nations News
Audio Information System (UNNAIS) is an innovation in the dissemination of audio information.
This system consolidates the latest news about the United Nations and reports from far-flung
UN peace-keeping operations at one location. The contents of UNNAIS are available to anyone by telephone,
around the clock, free of charge. The only cost is the phone call. Any item may be used for rebroadcast
without further notice or clearance. UNNAIS requests only attribution of the source. To access UNNAIS, call (212) 963-3777 (available in English only).
The only requirement is a telephone with touch-tone capability. A
menu system will guide the listener to the desired location. For inquiries, please call at 212-963-2361; or send e-mail to unnews@un.org 28. Scholarships The United Nations does not provide financial assistance to students.
It is an organization of sovereign States whose funds are allocated only to programmes
officially approved by its Member States. You can find information about scholarships offered by higher-education
institutions and international organizations in a guide published by UNESCO, entitled “Study Abroad”.
To purchase a copy of “Study Abroad”, contact: UNESCO Publishing Reference copies of this publication are available for consultation at Depository libraries.
29. School The United Nations International School (UNIS) is an independent
private school under the auspices of the United Nations. General information on the activities of the school, including admission,
courses of study, teaching opportunities, etc., is available on request from: The Director 30. Sound
Recordings Sound recordings of
unrestricted United Nations material are available for a fee to the general public.
For information and current prices, contact: Sound Recording Unit 31. Stamps The United Nations is the only organization
in the world which is neither a country nor a government, and is permitted to issue postage stamps.
Because of arrangements made with postal authorities in the United States, Switzerland and Austria,
the United Nations Postal Administration issues stamps in three different denominations.
While UN stamps are popular collectors’ items, they can be used for posting only from post offices
located at UN offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna. For more information, contact: United Nations Postal Administration The Public Inquiries Unit provides, free of charge, United Nations information
kits for teachers and students at primary, intermediate and secondary levels. The United Nations Cyberschoolbus offers online teaching materials
as well as other items designed for educational use. For more information, contact: United Nations Cyberschoolbus The United Nations translates only its own official documents and
communications. Commercial sources for such services are listed in local telephone
directories. 34. Treaties (International Conventions) For information on the current status of Multilateral Treaties
Deposited with the Secretary-General, you may check the UN website at untreaty.un.org;email:treaty@un.org , telephone
the UN Sales Section at (212) 963-8302, or fax (212) 963-3489 35. Visas, Passports and other Travel Documents The United Nations does not issue visas or passports to private individuals.
Such documents have to be requested from the appropriate government.
The United Nations issues a laissez-passer to its staff for official travel.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issues
travel documents to refugees in cases of emergency; however, travel papers for
refugees are generally issued by national authorities. For more information, contact: UNHCR and/or UNHCR Liaison Office This fact sheet has been issued by the Public Inquiries Unit, Department of Public Information,
United Nations.
Email: unreference@un.org
Internet: http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl
For information on the UNA-USA Model UN programme, contact:
United Nations Association of the United States of America
801 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-907-1300
Email:unahq@unusa.org
Internet:http://www.unausa.org
For information on consultative status with ECOSOC, contact:
Division for ECOSOC Support and Coordination
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Room DC1-1480
United Nations,
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-8652
Fax: 212-963-9248
E-mail: desangosection@un.org
Internet: http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ngo
Department of Public Information
Room S-1070L
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-6842/7234
Fax 212-963-6914/2819
E-mail: dpingo@un.org
Internet: http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/index.asp
For more information, contact:
Department of Public Information
Room S-805 L
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-6927 or 212-963-0034
Fax: 212-963-1658
Email: photolibr@un.org
Internet: http://www.un.org/av/photo/index.asp
For orders from North America, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific, contact:
2 United Nations Plaza
Room DC2-853
New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel. 212-963-8302
Fax: 212-963-3489
Toll-free Telephone within the United States and Canada:
1-800-253-9646 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm EST)
Email: publications@un.org
Internet: http://unp.un.org
Internet: http://www.unog.ch/bookshop
Promotion and Sales Division
1, rue Miollis
75732 Paris Cedex 15
Online: http://publishing.unesco.org
or:
Bernan Publishing
4611-F Assembly Drive
Lanham, MD 20706-4391
Tel. (1-800) 865-3457
United Nations International School
24-50 Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive
New York, NY 10010
Tel. (212) 684-7400
Email:admissions@unis.org
Internet: http://www.unis.org
Room GA-13 C
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-7658
P.O. Box 5900
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163-5900
Tel. 212-963-7684
Tel. 800-234-UNPA (toll-free in the US)
Email: unpa@un.org
Internet: http://unstamps.un.org
C/o Global Teaching and Learning Project
United Nations
Room L-170 A
New York, NY 10017
Email: cyberschoolbus@un.org
Internet: http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/index.asp
Case Postale 2500 Dépôt
CH- 1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland
Tel. 41-22-739-8502/8111
Fax: 41-22-739-7377
Internet: http://www.unhcr.org
Room DC 1-2610
New York, NY 10017
Tel. (212) 963-0032
Fax: (212) 963-0074
Tel.: 212-963-4475; Fax: 212-963-0071;
Email : inquiries@un.org ;Internet:http://www.un.org/geninfo/faq.