LibGuides: United Nations Materials: General Research

General Research on the UN

If you are just beginning your research or you simply want an overview of the UN’s role in a particular area, it may be helpful to look at more general sources before delving into specific databases and indexes. The following resources contain much valuable information, presented in user-friendly formats, on the workings of the UN and can lead to more specific areas of inquiry.

Online Resources

United Nations home page
The United Nations home page provides or links to a wealth of information on the structure and purpose of the organization as well as specific areas of concern such as human rights or the war in Iraq.
Official Web-Site Locator for the United Nations System of Organizations
Includes an alphabetical listing of the Websites of various organizations associated with the United Nations. Individual web-sites of the various organizations often have comprehensive information about the topics with which they are concerned as well as access to the specific organization’s publications.
UN Press Releases and Meetings Coverage
This is an excellent resource for current information on UN activities. Includes summaries of Security Council and General Assembly meetings and statements by the secretary-general and other officials. Searchable (by keyword) database goes from 1995 to the present.