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United Nations: Intro

Guide to information created by the UN and the UN Family of Organizations

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United Nations News

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UN Reference E-Books

Oxford Handbook United Nations. Introduction to the UN’s seven-decade history, written by  scholars, analysts, and practitioners. 

United Nations: A Very Short Introduction. Discussed the United Nation's effectiveness and explains how it was originally conceived, how it has come to its present form, and how it must confront new challenges in a rapidly changing world. 

UC Berkeley Libraries and the United Nations

The University of California Berkeley has been a Depository for the United Nations since 1948 and also owns documents and publications from the League of Nations. Current UN Documents are primarily online and available using the tools below.  Publications (e.g. books, journals, and statistical annuals) are frequently online but may also be found using UC Library Search.

Key United Nations Databases

UN Digital Library. Includes UN documents, voting data, speeches, maps, and limited publications starting in 1979. System features include linked data between related documentation such as resolutions, meeting records and voting.

UN Member States On the Record.  Links to searches for member states across UN databases including key documents related to country membership in the UN, statements made before principal organs, draft resolutions, periodic reports on Human Rights conventions, and more.

United Nations Official Documents System (ODS). Full-text database of United Nations documents since 1993, as well as resolutions of the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship from 1946.

United Nations Yearbook Collection. Recommended as an historic starting point. Provides a summary of key events and citations to important documents. 

UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. Press Releases are not official documents but provide timely information on the current activities of the principal organs and subsidiary bodies, including summaries of meetings.

UN Reference Books

UN Research Guides

Global Issues. Reference tool for links to online documents, agencies, and other resources on a range of UN topics.

United Nations Research Guide. (Dag Hammarskjöld Library). Wide range of research guides on all major topics the UN addresses: from development and peace and securuity to happiness.

United Nations Documentation: An Overview. Guide to the documentation system of the United Nations. If you wish to understand the structure, organization, and symbols of UN bodies and their documents look no further.

Research Guide: The United Nations. From the Columbia University Law School. Detailed information about UN documents, symbols, and publishing.

United Nations Documentation: Research Guide. (Dag Hammarskjöld Library). Overview of documents and publications of the UN and how to work with them.