Article Index
UNRIC Library Newsletter - June 2009
New information material
New videos/DVD
New titles
All Pages

 PDF version

 

NEW WEBSITES WITHIN THE UN SYSTEM

UN in General

The United Nations Today (DPI/2480, July 2008)
formerly known as "Basic Facts about the United Nations"
http://unic.un.org/aroundworld/unics/common/documents/publications/
untoday/UN_TODAY_BOOK_eng.pdf
This publication has been posted in its entirety on the website for the United Nations Information Centres.

África y Naciones Unidas (UNIC Buenos Aires)
http://www.unic.org.ar/pag_esp/esp_africa/index.html
The UN Information Centre in Buenos Aires, Argentina has produced a special feature in Spanish on the UN and Africa

Cyber Hate: Danger in Cyber Space (16 June 2009, UN Headquarters)
Webcast of the event: http://www.un.org/webcast/2009.html
Young people have unprecedented freedom to explore and learn about the world via the Internet, yet hateful online content and cyberbullying are a constant threat. Such harassment can have disastrous results including stress, poor grades, inability to cope with the pressure and even suicide. In the context of its Unlearning Intolerance Seminar Series, the United Nations Department of Public Information is organizing a seminar titled “Cyber Hate: Danger in Cyber Space”, which will explore the impact of hate-related discourse on the Internet and ways to counter it. The event will took place from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, 16 June in Conference Room 2 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Security Council Documents 1946-1992
http://documents.un.org/
The Digitization Group of the United Nations Dag Hammarskjold Library has completed the digitizing and uploading to the Official Document System (ODS) the English, French and Spanish versions of major Security Council documents from 1946-1992. The completion of this project is the first step in making all UN documents available in electronic format from 1946 to now.

Peace & Security

Board of Inquiry into incidents in Gaza Strip (A/63/855-S/2009/250)
English, French & Spanish: http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=A/63/855
A summary of the report of the UN Headquarters Board of Inquiry into certain incidents in the Gaza Strip between 27 December 2008 and 19 January 2009 has been issued (A/63/855-S/2009/250). The Board was established to look into nine incidents in which UN personnel, premises and operations were affected and it presented its full report to the Secretary-General in April. The Secretary-General's summary includes the eleven recommendations made by the Board in full, but the bulk of the report is summarized.

Electronic Legal Resources on International Terrorism (UNODC Terrorism Prevention Branch)
https://www.unodc.org/tldb/
Terrorism poses a major threat to international peace, security and stability. It is a scourge that threatens all countries and all people and therefore requires a global response. In an effort to help coordinate this response, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has created a comprehensive database containing counter-terrorism conventions, national criminal laws and case laws relevant to terrorism.

United Nations Peacekeeping Operations – Background Note: 31 May 2009 (DPI/1634/Rev.97, June 2009)
English: http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/bnote.htm
French: http://www.un.org/french/peace/peace/bnote.htm

United Nations Political and Peacebuilding Missions - Background Note: 31 May 2009 (DPI/2166/Rev.72, June 2009)
English: http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/ppbm.pdf
French: http://www.un.org/french/peace/peace/ppbmf.pdf

UNTSO 60th anniversary publication
(UN Truce Supervision Organization)
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/untso/Anniversary.pdf (28.6MB, pdf file)

Economic & Social Development

Asset Recovery Guide: A Good Practices Guide for Non-conviction Based Asset Forfeiture (World Bank / UNODC)
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTSARI/Resources/NCBGuideFinalEBook.pdf
Under the Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) initiative, the World Bank and UNODC have developed a guide for the seizure and forfeiture of stolen assets by corrupt leaders without the need for a criminal conviction. The World Bank estimates that public officials in developing countries have taken bribes amounting to between $20 billion and $40 billion a year, equivalent to between 20 and 40 per cent of official development assistance. Recovered assets could therefore provide much-needed funding for social programmes or infrastructure. However, developing countries lack asset forfeiture laws, as well as legal, investigative and judicial capacity. Developed countries, which is where the assets are hidden, may not be able to respond to their requests when legislation is not in place.

Give Girls a Chance: Tackling child labour, a key to the future (ILO)
Report in English:
http://www.ilo.org/ipecinfo/product/download.do?type=document&id=10290
Summary in French & Spanish:
http://www.ilo.org/ipecinfo/product/viewProduct.do?productId=10293
This report provides an overview on the involvement of girls in child labour, and the policy responses required to tackle the problem. It provides global estimates on girls involvement in child labour, and looks at major sectors of work in which girls are involved.

In Search of Shelter: Mapping the Effects of Climate Change on Human Migration and Displacement (UNU-EHS / CARE / CIESIN)
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/lib.nsf/db900SID/ASAZ-7SVCRB?OpenDocument
UN University Institute for Environment and Human Security, CARE International and Columbia University's Center for International Earth Science Information Network explores how climate change can push people to leave their homes in search of “greener pastures” … or just to survive. Policymakers and development actors need a better understanding of the linkages between environmental change, displacement and migration.

Machel study 10-year strategic review (UNICEF)
http://www.unicef.org/publications/files/
Machel_Study_10_Year_Strategic_Review_EN_030909.pdf
The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict in collaboration with UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) published Machel study 10-year strategic review: children and conflict in a changing world. The 1996 Machel Study (A/51/306 and Add.1) challenged the world to recognize that "war affects every right of the child." According to 2006 estimates, more than 1 billion children under the age of 18 were living in areas in conflict or emerging from war; around 300 million of them were under age five, and more than 18 million children were refugees or internally displaced.

Marine Litter: A Global Challenge (UNEP)
http://www.unep.org/regionalseas/marinelitter/publications/docs/
Marine_Litter_A_Global_Challenge.pdf
From discarded fishing gear to plastic bags to cigarette butts, a growing tide of marine litter is harming oceans and beaches worldwide, says a new report. The report, the first-ever attempt to take stock of the marine litter situation in the 12 major regional seas around the world, was launched on World Oceans Day by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Ocean Conservancy.

The Role of Natural Resources and the Environment (UNEP)
http://www.unep.org/pdf/pcdmb_policy_01.pdf
This publication – released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - highlights failure and civil war in developing countries as some of the greatest risks to global peace and security.

World Drug Campaign Website (UNODC)
http://www.unodc.org/drugs/
As part of its campaign to raise awareness about the major challenge that illicit drugs represents to society as a whole, especially to the young, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has launched a new website. The campaign website includes information on different types of drugs, from cannabis to methamphetamine, and health tips for parents, teachers and young people.

World Health Statistics 2009 (WHO)
English, French & Spanish: http://www.who.int/whosis/whostat/2009/en/index.html
World Health Statistics 2009 contains WHO's annual compilation of data from its 193 Member States, and includes a summary of progress towards the health-related Millennium Development Goals and targets. This edition also contains a new section on reported cases of selected infectious diseases.
 

Human Rights

Human Rights Council - 11th special session on Sri Lanka
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/11/index.htm
On 26 May 2009 the Human Rights Council held its 11th special session to address the human rights consequences of the conflict in Sri Lanka. The special session took place following a request by Germany on behalf 17 members of the Human Rights Council, including Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Mauritius, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.

Humanitarian Affairs

2008 Global Trends: Refugees, Asylum-seekers, Returnees, Internally Displaced and Stateless Persons (UNHCR report)
http://www.unhcr.org/4a375c426.html
This annual UNHCR's report shows the number of people forcibly uprooted by conflict and persecution worldwide stood at 42 million at the end of last year amid a sharp slowdown in repatriation and more prolonged conflicts resulting in protracted displacement. The total includes 16 million refugees and asylum seekers and 26 million people uprooted within their own countries.

Poverty in the occupied Palestinian territory 2007 (UNRWA)
http://www.un.org/unrwa/publications/pubs08/opt_poverty2007_may09.pdf
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has released a briefing paper, Poverty in the occupied Palestinian territory 2007, designed to aid UNRWA in understanding the economic impacts of the tumultuous conditions of 2007. The paper includes information on trends, poverty by region, and the effectiveness of external assistance.  

International Law

 

ICC Legal Tools
English: http://www.legal-tools.org/en/what-are-the-icc-legal-tools/
French: http://www.legal-tools.org/fr/les-outils-juridiques-de-la-cpi-en-bref/
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has developed a new set of Legal Tools for researching international criminal law and cases. The Legal Tools are essentially an electronic library of 40,000 searchable documents available to the general public.

ICTR Completion Strategy assessments (S/2009/247)
English, French & Spanish: http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=S/2009/247
The assessments of the President and the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) on the implementation of the completion strategy of the Tribunal have been transmitted (S/2009/247). The report provides an overview of the case load and the challenges faced by the Tribunal. Annexes provide the status of cases completed and at various stages of completion.

ICTY Completion Strategy assessments (S/2009/252)
English, French & Spanish: http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=S/2009/252
The assessments of the President and the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) on the implementation of the completion strategy of the Tribunal have been transmitted (S/2009/252). The report provides an overview of each case pending, the cooperation of the states of the former Yugoslavia, and the steps taken to complete the work of the Tribunal.

“Rotterdam Rules” site (UNCITRAL)
English: http://www.uncitral.org/uncitral/en/uncitral_texts/transport_goods/
2008rotterdam_rules.html
French: http://www.uncitral.org/uncitral/fr/uncitral_texts/transport_goods/
2008rotterdam_rules.html
Spanish: http://www.uncitral.org/uncitral/es/uncitral_texts/transport_goods/
2008rotterdam_rules.html
The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has created a new website dedicated to the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods Wholly or Partly by Sea (a.k.a. the "Rotterdam Rules") adopted by General Assembly resolution 63/122. The site includes links to the certified true copy of the convention, travaux préparatoires information, statements, a bibliography, and more.

 

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

Booklet: Sharing the World’s Stories – Multimedia Resources United Nations.
Department of Public Information. News and Media Division. March 2009. 27 p.
Further information: http://www.unmultimedia.org/

Bureau du Conseiller spécial pour la prévention du génocide.
Nations Unies. New York. April 2009. 12 p.
English online version: http://www.un.org/preventgenocide/adviser/pdf/
Booklet_prevention_of_genocide_Final_2009-03-24.pdf

La Cuestión de Palestina y las Naciones Unidas.
Naciones Unidas. Nueva York. Diciembre 2008. v, 125 p. DPI/2499.

La Question de Palestine et les Nations Unies.
Nations Unies. New York. Décembre 2008. iv, 124 p. DPI/2499.
Online version: http://unispal.un.org/pdfs/DPI2499f.pdf 



 

NEW VIDEOS/DVDs
added to the library collection in June


Les femmes dans le maintien de la paix, une force pour la paix.
(Journée internationale des Casques bleus de l'ONU)
2009. 8 min. DVD.
Version en ligne: http://www.un.org/fr/events/peacekeepersday/2009/video.shtml

Women in Peacekeeping: The Power to Empower.
(International Day of UN Peacekeepers - 29 May 2009)
2009. 8 min. DVD.
Online version: http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/ondemand/peace/pkdaywomen.rm

 

NEW TITLES
added to the library collection in June

0    Geneva Publications

Multilateralization of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Assessing the Existing Proposals.
United Nations. New York and Geneva. 2009. xvi, 105 p. (UNIDIR/2009/4)
Sales No. GV.E.09.0.6. ISBN 978-92-9045-195-2.
Online version: http://www.unidir.ch/pdf/ouvrages/pdf-1-978-92-9045-195-2-en.pdf


I    General Information and Reference

Cadre global d’action, juillet 2008: Équipe spéciale de haut niveau sur la crise mondiale de la sécurité alimentaire.
Nations Unies. New York. Janvier 2009. xi, 47 p.
Online version: http://www.un.org/french/issues/food/taskforce/frameworkofaction.pdf

Comprehensive Framework for Action, July 2008: High-Level Task Force on the Global Food Security Crisis.
United Nations. New York. Reprint December 2008. xi, 40 p.
Online version:
http://www.un.org/issues/food/taskforce/Documentation/CFA%20Web.pdf

Marco Amplio para la Acción, Julio de 2008: Equipo de Tareas de Alto Nivel sobre la Crisis Mundial de la Seguridad Alimentaria.
Nationes Unidas. Nueva York. Enero 2009. xi, 52 p.
Online version:
http://www.un.org/spanish/issues/food/taskforce/FINAL_CFA_July_2008.pdf

Resolutions and Decisions adopted by the General Assembly during its sixty-third session - Volume I: Resolutions, 16 September - 24 December 2008.
General Assembly. Official Records. Sixty-third Session. Supplement No. 49 (A/63/49/Vol.I).
United Nations. New York. 2009. 618 p.
Online version: http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=A/63/49(Vol.I)(SUPP)


II.D    Trade, Finance and Commerce

Transnational Corporations, Volume 17, Number 3, December 2008. viii, 143 p.
United Nations Conferences on Trade and Development. Division on Investment, Technology and Enterprise Development. (UNCTAD/DIAE/IA/2008/7 (Vol.17, No.3))
ISBN 978-92-1-112762-1.
Online version: http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/diaeiia20083_en.pdf

World Trade Law and Renewable Energy: The Case of Non-Tariff Barriers.
United Nations. New York and Geneva. 2009. iii, 18 p. (UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2008/5)

The WTO Negotiations on Environmental Goods and Services: A Potential Contribution to the Millennium Development Goals.
United Nations. New York and Geneva. 2009. iii, 41 p. (UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2008/4)


II.E    Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)

Self-made Cities: in search of sustainable solutions for informal settlements in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe region.
United Nations. New York and Geneva. 2009. xxi, 113 p. (ECE/HBP/155)
Sales No. E.09.II.E.9. ISBN 978-92-1-117005-4.
Online version: http://www.unece.org/publications/oes/SelfMadeCities.pdf

 

III.D    United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Annuaire du PNUE 2009: Avancées scientifiques et developpements dans notre environnement en mutation.
Programme des Nations Unies pour l’environnement. Nairobi. 2009. iv, 64 p.
ISBN 978-92-807-2988-7.
Online version: http://www.unep.org/geo/yearbook/yb2009/PDF/FR-GEO_09-Low.pdf

TUNZA: The UNEP Magazine for Youth.
Vol. 7, Number 1, 2009: Your Planet needs you. 23 p.
Online version: http://www.unep.org/pdf/tunza/Tunza_7.1_English.pdf

TUNZA: Le magazine du PNUE pour les jeunes.
Vol. 7, No. 1, 2009 : Votre planète a besoin de vous !. 23 p.
Online version: http://www.unep.org/pdf/tunza/Tunza_7.1_English.pdf

UNEP Year Book 2009: New Science and Developments in Our Changing Environment.
United Nations Environment Programme. Nairobi. 2009. iv, 64 p.
ISBN 978-92-807-2987-0.
Online version: http://www.unep.org/geo/yearbook/yb2009/


III.Q    United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)

2008 Annual Report.
UN-Habitat. Nairobi. 2009.
ISBN 978-92-1-132086-2. 56 p.
Online version:
http://www.unhabitat.org/pmss/getElectronicVersion.asp?nr=2634&alt=1


V    International Law

Bulletin du droit de la mer. No. 65.
Nations Unies. New York. 2009. iv, 46 p.
ISBN 978-92-1-233446-2.

Bulletin du droit de la mer. No. 66.
Nations Unies. New York. 2009. iv, 106 p.
ISBN 978-92-1-233454-7.

Bulletin du droit de la mer. No. 67.
Nations Unies. New York. 2009. iv, 66 p.
ISBN 978-92-1-233459-2.

Law of the Sea Bulletin No. 68.
United Nations. New York. 2009. iv, 70 p.
ISBN 978-92-1-133661-0.

United Nations Juridical Yearbook 2005.
United Nations. New York. 2009. xxv, 574 p. (ST/LEG/SER.C/43)
Sales No. E.08.V.1. ISBN 978-92-1-133664-1.


XIV    Human Rights (including Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights - OHCHR)

Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues / United Nations Development Group.
United Nations. New York and Geneva. 2009. iii, 63 p. (HR/P/PT/16)
Online version: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/indigenous/docs/guidelines.pdf

Lignes directrices sur les questions relatives aux Peuples autochtones / Groupe des Nations Unies pour le développement.
Nations Unies. New York et Genève. 2009. iii, 67 p. (HR/P/PT/16)


XIII    Demography

World Population 2008.
United Nations. New York. 2009. Wall chart. (ST/ESA/SER.A/279)
Sales No. E.09.XIII.2. ISBN 978-92-1-151450-6.


XVII     International Statistics

2006 International Trade Statistics Yearbook: Volume I; Trade by Country / Annuaire statistique du commerce international: Volume I; Commerce par pays.
United Nations/Nations Unies. New York. 2008.  xlvi, 1197, A.73 p. (ST/ESA/STAT/SER.G/55)
Sales No. E/F.08.XVII.24 (Vol. I). ISBN 978-92-1-061246-3.


Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

State of the World’s Forests, 2009.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome. 2009. xi, 152 p.
ISBN 978-92-5-106057-5.
Online version: http://www.fao.org/docrep/011/i0350e/i0350e00.htm

Situation des forêts du monde, 2009.
Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture. Rome. 2009.
x, 143 p.
ISBN 978-92-5-206057-4.
Online version: http://www.fao.org/docrep/011/i0350f/i0350f00.htm

Situación de los Bosques del Mundo, 2009.
Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y la Alimentación. Roma. 2009. xi, 158 p.
ISBN 978-92-5-306057-3.
Online version: http://www.fao.org/docrep/011/i0350s/i0350s00.htm


World Health Organization (WHO)

Bulletin of the World Health Organization: Volume 87, Number 6, June 2009, p. 405-484.
Online version: http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/87/6/en/