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| A large number of useful Internet resources are available in the fall
of 2003 for study of the United Nations and the programs and interests
which are its special focus. Many are provided by the United Nations
itself. Others have been prepared at reliable sites outside the United
Nations. This page contains a highly selective listing of a few that
seem especially interesting.
I. United Nations Documentation. Here are found indexes and for some items, the actual full text of working documents, reports, speeches, and resolutions generated and used by the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, Security Council, and other parts of the U.N. 1. The HomePage of the United Nations (www.un.org/english) This page is a portal to international information about the UN and international issues on a grand scale, with excellent functionality and great content. It is so rich in information that some elements can seem buried, but becoming very familiar with this page is very much worth the effort. 2. United Nations Documentation: Research Guide (www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide) Excellent overall guide prepared by the staff of the Dag Hammarskjold Library at UN Headquarters in New York. 3. Document Symbols (www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/symbol.htm ) UN Documents are identified by document symbols as shown here. Symbols are organic, arising from the nature of the part of the UN issuing them and the function of the document. They gather documents together in families which can be helpful in answering a reference question. 4. Basic Research Tools (www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/basic.htm) Most UN web sources do not go back to 1946. This source identifies a few key print sources to be used before electronic sources begin. 5. UN System Pathfinder (www.un.org/Depts/dhl/pathfind/frame/start.htm) Like the Basic Research Tools above, but this identifies a greater selection of basic reference tools It is comprehensive in its coverage of reference-type materials and includes key publications of historic value (i.e., dating back to the founding of the UN). 6. UNBISNET (http://unbisnet.un.org)1985 to present, some earlier Superb index to U.N. documents, speeches, sales publications, and voting records. 7. UNIQUE ( http://lib-unique.un.org/lib/unique.nsf) U.N. Info Quest Index, selected key documents 1946 to present. 8. U.N. Documentation Centre (http://www.un.org/documents/) UN official documents full text. Includes full text of all Security Council Resolutions for all years, and all General Assembly Resolutions from 1976 to present. 9. CyberSchoolBus (http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/) Fantastic resource for younger kids on the UN and all sorts of international topics, very much age appropriate. Fun and good educational value. 10. Model United Nations (http://www.un.org/Pubs/modelun/) The UN's own site for the UN simulations held in thousands of high schools and colleges over the world. Age appropriate for teen-agers. Sound and good.
II. Documentation From Other UN Bodies. Here are found many full text documents, especially for the last five to ten years. International
Court of Justice
III. Web Sites of the UN Specialized or External Agencies Many contain full text documentation for recent years; also useful indexes, sometimes for the entire history of the organization.
IV. Regional Commissions A wonderful amount of detail is found on the web sites of the five United Nations Regional Commission, including lots of country information and full text documents.
V. Useful Web Sites for UN Reseach From Outside the UN System. The web is a wonderous place for information on the United Nations. Source and attitude must always be considered. The following are especially useful. |