Videos
English at the United Nations: The Challenges of One Common Language
Do you speak UN? With 193 Member States at the United Nations, finding a common language for communication is vital. At the UN Headquarters in New York, diplomats and staff share their stories of using English and how together, they have overcome the challenges.
Interviewees:
- Mr. (Bruno) Agossou Bocco / Togo
- Mr. Paul Empole / Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
- Ms. Heidi Jensen / USA
- Ms. Fatma Kolbasi / Turkey
- Mr. Jean Bosco Ndinduruvugo / Burundi
- Ms. Ingrid Sabja Daza / Bolivia
- Mr. Dogoba Bakayoko / Côte d'Ivoire
- Mr. Martijn Dalhuijsen / Holland (the Netherlands)
- Ms. Patricia Duffy / USA
- Ms. Susana Reyes Arreaga / Mexico
Historical Photo Gallery
Title page of the UN Charter in English
Original manuscript of the Un Charter, in English
The 1945 San Francisco Conference, at which the Charter was passed and signed.
A UN interpreter at work in a glass-walled both above the Security Council Chamber
Eleanor Roosevelt holding a Universal Declaration of Human Rights poster, in English
An English language radio broadcast in 1970 at UN Headquarters
Guided Tour in New York in 1953. Tours are given in English, all official UN languages, and others.
Documents Control Division in 1954. UN documentation in English, and four other official languages (now five) passed through this office
Copies of UN Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights were placed with cornerstone of Headquarters building on UN Day 1949
In the past UN verbatim reporters used stenotype machines or the stenographers' pads to record the proceedings.
