Article Index
UNRIC Library Newsletter - December 2008
New information material
New titles
All Pages

 PDF version

 

NEW WEBSITES WITHIN THE UN SYSTEM

UN in General

60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
English: http://www.un.org/events/humanrights/2008/
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/UDHR/Pages/60UDHRIntroduction.aspx
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/UDHRTurns60.aspx
French: http://www.un.org/french/events/humanrights/
Spanish: http://www.un.org/spanish/events/humanrights/2008/

2008 ECOSOC resolutions
http://www.un.org/ecosoc/docs/res2008.asp
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) website (English version) has been updated to include the 2008 resolutions and decisions. ECOSOC resolutions are not issued as individual UN documents, but are published altogether, first in sessional compilations (e.g. E/2008/INF/2 + Add.1), and finally as part of the Official Records (e.g. E/2007/99). However, the website provides links to the text of each resolution or decision (e.g. ECOSOC resolution 2008/23, "Protection against trafficking in cultural property").

Charter of the United Nations – new website
http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/
The Charter of the United Nations website has been updated. The new site includes an Introductory Note and is organized by chapter.

New Civil Society Participation Database
http://esango.un.org/civilsociety/login.do
This database, developed by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), provides online registration for the Civil Society Organizations, facilitates the application procedure for consultative status with ECOSOC and assists accredited NGOs in submitting quadrennial reports and in designating representatives to the UN. Users can search the database of more than 12.000 organizations to find out more about their activities, meeting participation and accreditation status in the areas of sustainable and social development, advancement of women, financing for development, forests and public administration.

Peace & Security

Children and armed conflict in Afghanistan (S/2008/695)
English, French and Spanish: http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=S/2008/695
This is the first report on this topic for Afghanistan, and covers July 2007- August 2008. According to the summary, "The report focuses on grave violations perpetrated against children in Afghanistan and identifies parties to the conflict, both State and non-State actors, who commit grave abuses against children. In particular, the report highlights the fact that children have been recruited and utilized by State and non-State armed groups and that non-State armed groups such as the Taliban continue to train and use children as suicide bombers."

Children and armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2008/693)
English, French and Spanish: http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=S/2008/693
This is the third report for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and covers the period from June 2007 to September 2008. According to the summary, "The report notes the decrease in the number of allegations of grave violations against children in the reporting period, while indicating that children are still the primary victims of the ongoing conflict in affected areas. It stresses the continued recruitment and use of children by armed forces and groups, particularly in connection with outbreaks of hostilities in some areas. The report also raises concerns about the re-recruitment of children, due in part to insufficient support from earlier disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes. Widespread incidents of rape and other sexual violence against girls and boys remains of critical concern. The report identifies both State and non-State parties responsible for grave violations against children."

Satellite Images of Hijacked Vessels (UNOSAT)
http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/asp/prod_free.asp?pid=1301
During the first week of December, the United Nations Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT), released a map presenting "a satellite-based identification of three vessels recently hijacked in the Gulf of Aden, and anchored off the Somali coast near the town of Eyl, Nugaal, Somalia as of 20 November 2008".

UNAMI  Human Rights Report, 1 January – 30 June 2008
http://www.uniraq.org/documents/UNAMI_Human_Rights_Report_January_June_2008_EN.pdf
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has issued its 13th report on the human rights situation in the country covering the period 1 January – 30 June 2008. During the reporting period, Iraq has witnessed great improvements in general security conditions, with a marked drop in violent, high-visibility, high-casualty attacks by militias or criminal gangs, but the human rights situation in the country

Economic & Social Development

2009 Education For All Global Monitoring Report (UNESCO)
English: http://www.unesco.org/en/education/efareport/
Summary also available in French and Spanish.
Deep-rooted inequalities persist in education, condemning millions of children in the world to diminished opportunity and even to poverty. This is one conclusion of the 2009 Education For All Global Monitoring Report,“Overcoming inequality: why governance matters”. Published every year since 2002, the Education For All Global Monitoring Report is prepared by a team of independent experts and published by UNESCO. Following up the World Education Forum in Dakar (Senegal) in 2000, the Report assesses progress towards reaching Education For All goals by the deadline of 2015.

Atoms for Food: A Global Partnership (FAO / IAEA)
http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Booklets/Fao/fao1008.pdf
The IAEA and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have produced a on the FAO/IAEA collaboration to address global food security.

UNEP and Partners: United to Combat Climate Change
http://www.unep.org/pdf/081127_POZNANBKL_web.pdf
The campaign theme for the run-up to the crucial negotiations in Copenhagen in December 2009, ‘Unite to combat climate change’, says that we are all part of the solution. The goal: an inclusive, comprehensive and ratifiable deal that will address the challenges and harness the opportunities that climate change presents.

UNEP Climate Change Strategy
http://www.unep.org/pdf/UNEP_CC_STRATEGY_web.pdf
UNEP’s Climate Change Strategy is the result of a comprehensive process involving external experts and UNEP staff from across the organization. The strategy is built on the analysis of UNEP’s political mandate, the existing portfolio of climate change activities and the areas of distinctiveness. The Climate Change Strategy provides the foundation for transforming the organization’s engagement on climate change and for developing a results-oriented programme of work. UNEP will complement other processes and the activities of other institutions and will emphasize the substantial co-benefits of climate change actions and their contribution to environmental sustainability.

Human Rights

The “Audiovisual Library of International Law” on Human Rights
http://untreaty.un.org/cod/avl/historicarchives.html#human
This website, maintained by the Office of Legal Affairs has a special section devoted to human rights, including information related to the Universal Declaration. the online library is a unique, multimedia resource which provides the United Nations with the unprecedented capacity to provide high quality international law training and research materials to an unlimited number of recipients on a global level. With an introduction by Antônio Augusto Cançado Trindade, former President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the web site includes a list of related documents and an explanation of the procedural history involved in the drafting of the Declaration along with the historic video footage (http://untreaty.un.org/cod/avl/ha/udhr/udhr_video.html),
UN Radio interviews (http://untreaty.un.org/cod/avl/ha/udhr/udhr_audio.html) and photographs (http://untreaty.un.org/cod/avl/ha/udhr/udhr_photo.html).

Human rights translated - a business reference guide
http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/Human%20Rights%20Translated_web.pdf
A new publication Human Rights Translated: A Business Reference Guide was launched in Paris at the International Seminar on Business and Human Rights. The guide is a joint product of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights(OHCHR), and the UN Global Compact Office. The main purpose of the guide is to explain the universal human rights in the language of business through the use of case studies and suggested practical actions. Section One covers International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Section Two - International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide
English: http://www.un.org/genocide/prevention/index.shtml
Spanish: http://www.un.org/spanish/preventgenocide/adviser/
For the 60th anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide on 9 December 2008, the Office of the Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide a new website was launched.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: An Historical Record of the Drafting Process
http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/udhr/
This website provides access to the full text of the historical documents of all meetings from 1946-1948 that led to the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Launched on 10 December, the website is a cooperative effort of the UN Dag Hammarskjöld Library and the Library of the UN Office in Geneva.

Unfinished Business: A Comparative Survey of Historical and Contemporary Slavery (UNESCO)
http://www.unesco.org/culture/pdf/UnfinishedBusinessReport2008.pdf
Slavery may have been legally abolished around the world, but it remains “a widespread and deeply rooted component on contemporary life” concludes the first-ever comparative analysis of historical slave systems and modern forms of human bondage, published by UNESCO.

International Law

International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) - new website
English & French: http://www.icty.org, http://157.150.195.168/
The Tribunal today launched a new website intended to provide audiences with greater information about its history, achievements and ongoing work. Together with a fresh new look, the site contains many innovative approaches and additional content to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the Tribunal's historic mission and the role of international justice.

Special Tribunal for Lebanon report (S/2008/734)
English, French & Spanish: http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=S/2008/734
The 3rd report of the Secretary-General on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon has been released (S/2008/734). In the report, the Secretary-General informs that the start-up phase of the Tribunal is well under way, and the following steps have been taken:

• The work on the preparation of the premises has started;
• The process for the recruitment and appointment of staff has begun;
• A core unit of Registry personnel will soon be established;
• Measures to support the transition from the Investigation Commission to the Office of the Prosecutor are being taken;
• Practical arrangements for the Prosecutor to arrive in The Hague on 1 March 2009 and to continue the investigation with the minimum of disruption to the investigation will soon be finalized;
• Initial drafts of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence and other basic legal documents have been prepared.

 

NEW INFORMATION MATERIAL

Single copies of the following titles can be ordered via e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Acting on Climate Change: The UN System Delivering as One.
United Nations System. Chief Executives Board for Coordination. November 2008. 36 p. (DPI/2526)
Online version: http://www.un.org/climatechange/pdfs/Acting%20on%20Climate%20Change.pdf

Boletín sobre las actividades del sistema de las Naciones Unidas y las organizaciones intergubernamentales relacionadas con la cuestión de Palestina, Junio de 2008, Volumen XXXI, Boletín No. 6.
Naciones Unidas. División de los Derechos de los Palestinos. 19 p.
Online version: http://domino.un.org/pdfs/08-59073s.pdf

Building a Stronger UN for a Better World: The Secretary-General’s Vision.
United Nations. New York. Reprint October 2008.
Online version: http://www.undg.org/docs/9474/822-200809151231514511193.pdf

Conférence internationale de suivi sur le financement du développement chargée d’examiner la mise en œuvre du Consensus de Monterrey. Doha, Qatar, 29 novembre - 2 décembre 2008. Nations Unies. Département de l’information des Nations Unies. Octobre 2008. DPI/2520.

Conférence internationale des Nations Unies sur les réfugiés de Palestine: Organisée au Siège de l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’éducation, la science et la culture, à Paris, les 29 et 30 avril 2008.
Nations Unies. Division des droits de Palestiniens. 25 p.

Conferencia internacional de seguimiento sobre la financiación para el desarrollo encargada de examinar la aplicación del Consenso de Monterrey. Doha, Qatar, 29 de noviembre a 2 de diciembre de 2008.
Naciones Unidas. Departamento de Información Pública. Agosto de 2008. DPI/2520.

Día Internacional de Solidaridad con el Pueblo Palestino: Nota informativa.
Naciones Unidas. División de los Derechos de los Plaestinos. 2 p.
Online version: http://domino.un.org/pdfs/08-59784s.pdf

Everything You Always Wanted to Know about the United Nations: For Students at Intermediate and Secondary Levels.
United Nations. Department of Public Information. New York. August 2008. 63 p. (DPI/1888/Rev.3)

Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development to Review the Implementation of the Monterrey Consensus. Doha, Qatar, 29 November – 2 December 2008.
United Nations Department of Public Information. September 2008. DPI/2520.

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
United Nations. Division for Palestinian Rights. 1 p.
Online version: http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/22f431edb91c6f548525678a0051be1d/6a2dced648969
c848525750600696859!OpenDocument

Journée internationale de solidarité avec le peuple palestinien : Note d’information.
Nations Unies. Division des droits des Palestiniens. 2 p.
Online version: http://domino.un.org/pdfs/08-59784f.pdf

Special Bulletin on the Commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People 2007.
United Nations. Division for Palestinian Rights. v, 85 p.
Online version: http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/1ce874ab1832a53e852570bb006dfaf6/467553613a1c
2d71852574f10052d47d!OpenDocument

Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Members of the Drafting Committee formed by the UN Commission on Human Rights / Declaration universelle des droits de l’homme : membres du Comité de rédactionk Commission des droits de l’homme.
Outreach Division, DPI. October 2008. DPI/2511A.

 

NEW TITLES
added to the library collection in December 2008

II.D    Trade, Finance and Commerce

Practical implementation of international financial reporting standards: Lessons learned; Country case studies on IFRS.
United Nations. New York and Geneva. 2008. x, 143 p. (UNCTAD/DIAE/ED/2008/1)
Sales No. E.08.II.D.25. ISBN 978-92-1-12757-1.
Online version: http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/diaeed20081_en.pdf 

II.E    Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)

Revue annuelle du marché des produits forestiers. (Études de Genève sur le bois et la forêt, no 22)
Nations Unies. New York et Genève. 2007. xxi, 202 p. (ECE/TIM/SP/22)
Sales No. F.07.II.E.18. ISBN 978-92-1-216494-6.
Online: http://www.unece.org/timber/docs/fpama/2007/FPAMR2007_F.pdf


III.B    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Rapport mondial sur le développement humain 2007/2008: La lutte contre le changement climatique : un impératif de solidarité humaine dans un monde divisé.
Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement. New York. 2007. xvi, 382 p.
ISBN 978-2-7071-5356-2.
Online version: http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2007-2008/chapters/french/  


III.T    International Trade Centre (UNCTAD/WTO)

Clothing Demand from Emerging Markets: An opportunity for LDC suppliers.
International Trade Centre. Geneva. 2008. xvii, 278 pages. (ITC/P224.E/PMD/SC/08-III)
Sales No. E.08.III.T.3. ISBN 92-9137-358-3

Tout savoir sur la promotion du commerce des services: Manuel complet.
Centre du commerce international. Genève. 2007. xi, 156 p.
(ITC/P219.F/PMD/TSS/07-XI)
Sales No. F.08.III.T.2. ISBN 92-9137-360-5.


V    International Law

International Instruments related to the Prevention and Suppression of International Terrorism.
United Nations. New York. 2008. xii, 440 p.
Sales No. E.08.V.2. ISBN 978-92-1-133777-8.

Nations Unies Annuaire Juridique 2001.
Nations Unies. New York. 2008. xxiii, 738 p. (ST/LEG/SER.C/39)
Sales No. F.04.V.12. ISBN 978-92-1-233400-4.


IX    Disarmament and Atomic Energy

Annuaire des Nations Unies sur le désarmement: Volume 28; 2003.
Nations Unies. New York. 2008. xv, 499 p.
Sales No. F.04.IX.1. ISBN 978-92-1-242145-2.

Annuaire des Nations Unies sur le désarmement: Volume 29; 2004.
Nations Unies. New York. 2008. xvii, 459 p.
Sales No. F.05.IX.1. ISBN 978-92-1-242147-6.


XI    Narcotic Drugs (including United Nations Office on Drug and Crime - UNODC)

Crime and its impact on the Balkans and affected Countries.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Vienna. 2008. 126 p.
Online version: http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/Balkan_study.pdf


XVII     International Statistics

International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC), Rev. 4. (Statistical Papers, Series M, No. 4, Rev.4)
United Nations. New York. 2008. xiv, 291 p. (ST/ESA/STAT/SER.M/4/Rev.4)
Sales No. E.08.XVII.25. ISBN 978-92-1-161518-0.

Monthly bulletin of Statistics / Bulletin mensuel de statistique: Issue No. 1048, Vol. LXII, No. 10, October / Edition no. 1048, Vol. LXII, no. 10, octobre.
United Nations/Nations Unies. New York. 2008. xii, 303 p. (ST/ESA/STAT/SER.Q/430)
Online version: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/mbs


World Health Organization (WHO)

Atlas of health in Europe: 2nd edition 2008.
World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe. Copenhagen. 2008. viii, 126 p.
ISBN 978-92-890-1410-6
Online version: http://www.euro.who.int/Document/E91713.pdf

Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS)

Les droits de l’homme et le système des Nations Unies: Des clés pour agir.
Nations Unies. New York and Geneva. 2008. v, 24 p. (UNCTAD/NGLS/2008/2)
Online version: http://www.un-ngls.org/site/IMG/pdf/Des_cles_pour_agir.pdf