FACT SHEET: TEACHING AND LEARNING ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS

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1 FACT SHEET: TEACHING AND LEARNING ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS Resources for Model United Nations Hundreds of thousands of students from primary schools to universities participate in Model UN simulations every year. The United Nations Department of Public Information now organizes its own Global Model United Nations in a different country each year. The second annual Global Model United Nations Conference for university students between the ages of will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from July, Learn more: Tips on how to prepare for a Model UN conference, links to useful resources, and information on how to start a Model UN club in your school or community can be found in the Model UN Headquarters website on the UN Cyberschoolbus: INTERNET RESOURCES United Nations Link to the United Nations home page for up-to-date news and activities in the six official languages. Read about events around the world from a UN perspective [link to UN News Centre], watch a live webcast of meetings held at UN Headquarters every day, learn about the global issues on the UN agenda [link to global issues] or read the latest statements of the Secretary-General and those made by Member States during meetings of the General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC and more. UN Cyberschoolbus The United Nations Cyberschoolbus was created in 1996 as the online education component of the Global Teaching and Learning Project, whose mission is to promote education about international issues and the United Nations. The Global Teaching and Learning Project produces high quality teaching materials and activities designed for educational use (at primary, intermediate and secondary school levels). Within the Cyberschoolbus site there are a number of activities and projects that teach students in an interactive, engaging and fun, way as well as free downloadable curricula for teachers on a wide range of global issues. UN Member States on the record A new research tool that provides direct access to official documents reflecting the views of each United Nations Member State. UN Works, for People and the Planet An innovative multimedia platform that puts a human face on the work of the UN by exploring global issues through the personal stories of people and their communities. Their goal is to give a voice to ordinary people and allow them to share their struggles and fears, hopes and aspirations with audiences around the world.

2 UNICEF, Voice of Youth If you are ready to get involved and take action but don t know where to start, this website will help you find out what you can do right now! United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), TUNZA TUNZA is a word in Kiswahili (the common language of most East African countries) that means to treat with care. The programme is based on a strategy to provide young people with information and tools on how to treat Mother Earth with care and how to act for a better world. UNEP works in partnership with children from all over the world. Children are represented by a Junior Board which is elected every 2 years during UNEP s TUNZA International Children s Conference. United Nations Publications A wealth of UN publications, organized by topic, on a variety of issues facing the UN. Yearbook of the United Nations The principal reference work of the United Nations, providing a detailed overview of the Organization's activities. MULTI-MEDIA RESOURCES United Nations YouTube Channel United Nations multimedia What s Going On? 10-part DVD Series Angelina Jolie, Laurence Fishburne, Meg Ryan and other celebrities take audiences on a journey into the lives of children in crisis. We see them fight in wars, battle HIV/AIDS, cope with discrimination and work hard for a living. "What's Going On" is a 10-part documentary series produced by the UN Works Programme that introduces us to real kids, in real places, letting us share in their struggles and dreams. Lesson plans for each episode are available online Learn more: Purchase online: 60 Ways the United Nations Makes a Difference This publication presents, through the voices of young people from around the world, a sampling of what the UN and its agencies have accomplished since The program touches on the vast array of work that the UN undertakes as it seeks to improve people s lives around the world. Learn more: Purchase DVD online: Quizzes and Games

3 Have fun while learning about the United Nations! Visit the Quizzes and Games area of the UN Cyberschoolbus. Explore: Examples of what you will find: Against All Odds an interactive online game created by Refugees Agency (UNHCR) to increase students' awareness and knowledge about refugee situations by putting players in the position of a refugee. Download game: Learn more about UNHCR: Food Force: Play this popular video game on world hunger created by World Food Programme. Six different missions. For 8-13 year olds. Download game: Learn more about WFP: Stop Disasters!: Learn how to respond to different disasters in this new simulation video game from United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR). Play game: Lean more about UNISDR: USEFUL PUBLICATIONS FROM 5 UP TO 7 YEARS OLD Tunza Children's series Tunza is an Environmental Series for Children sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). ''Tunza'' means to treat with care of affection in Kiswahili. Tessa and the Fishy Mystery ISBN: Theo and the Giant Plastic Ball ISBN: Tore and the Town on Thin Ice ISBN: X Tina and the Green City: ISBN: Trishna and the Dream of Water ISBN: Togu and the Trees of Life ISBN: Ting and the Possible Futures ISBN: Purchase online at: or Learn more about UNEP: FROM 6 UP TO 17 YEARS OLD ABC - Teaching Human Rights: Practical Activities Published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), this publication aims to serve as a user-friendly tool for human rights education and a multi-coloured umbrella covering a number of basic human rights areas. It offers practical advice to teachers and other educators who want to foster human rights awareness and action among primary and secondary school children, including suggestions for developing learning activities. Learn more about OHCHR: FROM 10 UP TO 17 YEARS OLD

4 Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the United Nations An informative book to introduce students at the intermediate and secondary level to the United Nations, its work and achievements. The publication presents a clear and comprehensive overview of the main issues facing the UN, such as peace and security, the Millennium Development Goals, and human rights. Purchase online: FROM 17 YEARS OLD AND UP United Nations Chronicle The UN Chronicle is a quarterly magazine published by the United Nations Department of Public Information and available worldwide through subscription. It takes an in depth look into a broad range of global issues such as climate change, international economic integration, UN reform, health and human development, human rights and international peace and security. It features interviews, essays, opinions and ideas from officials and personalities connected with the Organization and its specialized agencies, as well as from independent experts. Learn more: Subscribe://unp.un.org/Chronicle.aspx An Insider s Guide to the UN This completely revised edition of Linda Fasulo s popular guide to the United Nations surveys the world body s programs and activities, and covers key issues including human rights, climate change, counterterrorism, nuclear proliferation, peacekeeping, and UN reform. It also offers guidelines for setting up a Model UN. ISBN: (second edition) Purchase online: The United Nations Today The United Nations Today reflects the multitude of ways in which the United Nations touches the lives of people everywhere. It chronicles the work of the Organization in such areas as peace, development, human rights, humanitarian assistance, disarmament and international law. In describing the work of the United Nations family of organizations, this book provides a comprehensive account of the many challenges before the international community, as well as the joint ongoing efforts to find solutions. An ideal resource for high school and college students. ISBN: Purchase online: RESOURCES FOR LIBRARIES The United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library was dedicated on 16 November 1961 in honour of the late Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld. The Library Building, a gift from the Ford Foundation, adjoins the Secretariat at the south-west corner of the UN Headquarters site. Read more: FAQs about United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library: Find online resources from the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library at:

5 Read how to become a United Nations depository library at: Learn about the Yearbook of the United Nation, the principal reference work of the Organization, providing a detailed overview of the Organization's activities. OTHER SERVICES Speakers Bureau Invite a UN Speaker to your classroom in person or via video conference, or arrange a lecture for your students at UN Headquarters. (For high school students and above) Learn more Guided Tours Reserve a tour for your class of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Learn more *** Not an Official Document For Information Only This fact-sheet has been issued by: Public Inquiries, Visitors Services United Nations Headquarters Room GA-1B-57 New York - NY Tel: Fax: inquiries@un.org