https://www.un.org/en/essential-un/
Take a moment to learn about the UN. The United Nations remains an essential pillar of the international system, working around the world, around the clock, for peace, sustainable development and human rights. At a time when challenges are increasingly global, and our fates are inexorably intertwined, understanding the United Nations itself—its aims, workings and ideals—is more important than ever. The Essential UN website, provides a succinct and interactive way to quickly grasp the essentials of the Organisation through fast facts, short videos, information cards and fun quizzes.
United Nations – Get Involved
https://www.un.org/en/get-involved
The UN Charter starts with “We the peoples.” Work with us, and together we will shape our future. There are many ways to join us and to get involved. You can apply and become a staff member, a volunteer, or an intern. You can connect with us on social media and join the global conversation on the issues facing humanity. You can affiliate your NGO with the UN, or join the UN Global Compact, if you are in the private sector. You can conduct research on the UN, teach courses on the UN, or cover the UN as a journalist.
UN Engagement Hub – Get involved and get engaged with the United Nations
https://unric.org/en/un-digital-engagement-hub/
Available here are The Game Zone, Mobile Apps, Competitions & Contests, Awards & Prizes, Podcasts, eLearning Tools.
UN Visitor Centre New York – Teach the UN
https://www.un.org/en/visitor-centre-new-york/page/teach-un
Here you can find lesson plans and educational resources.
Global Issues on the UN Agenda
https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/
As the world’s only truly universal global organization, the United Nations has become the foremost forum to address issues that transcend national boundaries and cannot be resolved by any one country acting alone. To its initial goals of safeguarding peace, protecting human rights, establishing the framework for international justice and promoting economic and social progress, in the seven decades since its creation the United Nations has added on new challenges, such as AIDS, big data and climate change. While conflict resolution and peacekeeping continue to be among its most visible efforts, the UN, along with its specialized agencies, is also engaged in a wide array of activities to improve people’s lives around the world – from disaster relief, through education and advancement of women, to peaceful uses of atomic energy. This website offers an overview of some of these issues, and links to other resources, where you can get additional information.
Dag Hammarskjöld Library Research Guide – Youth and Sustainable Development
http://research.un.org/en/youthandsdgs
This quick guide provides information on Youth at the United Nations, UN Youth Milestones, links to statistical resources, key UN documents, books and reports and UN resources.
UN Information Service (UNIS) Vienna – Teaching Resources
https://unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/resources/teaching_resources.html
For teachers who want to teach their students about the work and goals of the United Nations, UNIS Vienna has several useful teaching resources available on the following topics: Peace & Security, Development, Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs, and International Law.
Selected Publications Available Online
http://dx.doi.org/10.18356/b985f1a5-en
As the world’s only truly universal global organization, the United Nations has become the foremost forum to address issues that transcend national boundaries and cannot be resolved by any one country acting alone. This authoritative reference provides a comprehensive introduction and overview of the work of the UN in key areas of international peace and security, economic and social development, human rights, and humanitarian action.
http://dx.doi.org/10.18356/2faf3279-en
This comprehensive handbook designed for the general public explains the structure of the United Nations, how the Organization works, the main issues it addresses and its importance for people everywhere. In addition to setting out the various roles played by principle UN organs and related organizations, Basic Facts about the United Nations documents the Organization’s contributions to international peace and security, economic and social development, human rights, humanitarian action, international law and decolonization. Appendices contain current data on UN membership and peacekeeping operations, as well as contact information for UN information centres, services and offices. This latest edition, published in 2017, has been revised to take account of significant developments in the world and the Organization itself since 2014.
United Nations at a Glance (December 2012)
http://dx.doi.org/10.18356/9e9de6c8-en
Why It Matters: 75 Milestones in International Cooperation (October 2020)
https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3888284?ln=en
Growing Together: Youth and the Work of the United Nations (2008)
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/documents/growing_together.pdf
United Nations Chronicle
https://www.un.org/chronicle
“The Youth Issue” (Vol. XLVII, No. 4, 2010): https://www.un.org/en/issue/393
“Education” (Vol. L, No. 4, 2013): https://www.un.org/en/issue/373
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
In 2015, countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. In 2016, the Paris Agreement on climate change entered into force, addressing the need to limit the rise of global temperatures. Governments, businesses and civil society together with the United Nations are mobilizing efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030. Universal, inclusive and indivisible, the Agenda calls for action by all countries to improve the lives of people everywhere. Explore this site to find out more about the efforts of the UN and its partners to build a better world with no one left behind.
Student Resources
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/student-resources/
The materials available on this page are for adults and youth alike – a fun and engaging way to learn about the Sustainable Development Goals and what you can do to take action to make them a reality. Please download and share with your friends!
Resources on the Sustainable Development Goals: Access key resources on UNICEF and the SDGs, including tools to engage children and implementation guidance for countries
https://www.unicef.org/sdgs/resources
http://go-goals.org/
To help teach children around the world about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a simple and child-friendly way, the UN Regional Information Centre’s staff in Brussels have launched the ‘Go-Goals!’ SDG board game, aimed principally at children aged 8-10. The game is designed as a do it yourself kit, all you need are a printer, a pair of scissors, some tape or glue, and you can start playing. Available in various languages.
The World’s Largest Lesson
(Founded by Project Everyone, in partnership with UNICEF)
http://worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/
Other UN Educational Websites & Programmes
United Nations Website
Model United Nations (MUN)
https://outreach.un.org/mun/
Model UN is a popular activity for those interested in learning more about how the UN operates. Hundreds of thousands of students worldwide take part every year at all educational levels. Many of today’s leaders in law, government, business and the arts – including at the UN itself – participated in Model UN as student. The United Nations Model UN Programme aims to build and maintain strong links between the UN and Model UN participants across the globe. It does that through guides and workshops, which teach students how to make their simulations more accurate; by visiting Model UN conferences and sharing firsthand knowledge of what the actual UN is like; and through encouraging Model UN clubs to take real action to support UN values and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Youth Delegate Programme
https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/what-we-do/youth-delegate-programme.html
Participation in decision-making is one of the key priority areas of the United Nations agenda on youth. One form of youth participation at the United Nations is through the inclusion of youth delegates in a country’s official delegation to the United Nations General Assembly and various functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council.
Disarmament Education: Resources for Learning (UN Office for Disarmament Affairs)
https://education.unoda.org/
Information available: Reports of the Secretary-General; Peace and Disarmament Education Activities; Presentations & Slideshows; Publications; Podcasts; Films and Videos; Specialized Courses and Degrees; For Teachers and Students (Educational Resources, including lessons plans related to disarmament and non-proliferation for teachers and students); The UN System; Outside Resources.
The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme – Education Resources
https://www.un.org/en/holocaustremembrance/The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme was established 15 years ago by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/7, with a simple and stark aim: to remind the world of the perspective that the Holocaust provides relevant to preventing future genocides. Over the years the Programme has established a global network of partners and developed versatile initiatives including educational resources, professional development programmes, a file series, panel discussions and exhibitions.
Outreach Programme on the Rwanda Genocide and the United Nations – Graphic Novel
https://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/rwanda/graphic-novel.shtml
International Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005-2015 – Kids and Youth
http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/kids.shtml
The Water Decade offers the opportunity for everyone to learn and get involved on water issues. In this section you will find different resources (games, videos, tales, etc.) that can help you to learn more about water and inspire you and those around you to take action. We also hope you will share your work with us so that we can also learn from you.
UN Funds, Programmes & Specialized Agencies
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) – Children & Youth
https://www.cbd.int/youth/
Information available: Global Youth Biodiversity Network; Youth, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development Goals; Join the Green Wave: One School, One Tree, One Gift to Nature!; See the Bigger Picture; Children’s Portal on Farming and Biodiversity.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Building the #ZeroHunger Generation
https://www.fao.org/building-the-zerohunger-generation/en/
Building the #ZeroHunger Generation is a resources portal for teachers, parents or anyone involved in educational activities. The portal supports educators in preparing classes on important global issues at the core of FAO’s work. #ZeroHunger is built on a respect for food, for the people who produce it, for where it comes from and most importantly, for those who go without. Passing on this knowledge and mind-set to the next generation is vital for our one future of food. Together we can build the #ZeroHunger Generation!
Educational Material on Food Waste Reduction
http://www.fao.org/save-food/projects/educationalmaterial-fwr/en/
This is a series of an educational-engaging package designed to educate young people to value food and reduce its loss. The goal is to raise awareness among school children, teachers, staff and their related families and networks on food loss and waste issues and introduce good practices conducive to food waste reduction, with an expected long-term impact.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Education and Training
https://www.iaea.org/services/education-and-training
The IAEA offers a wide spectrum of education and training activities. These include face-to-face training courses and workshops, as well as online learning, fellowship programmes and schools on various nuclear-related topics.
Nuclear explained – Discover IAEA’s new series of educational articles
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/nuclear-explained
The articles and videos on this page offer easy-to-understand explanations of major topics in nuclear science and technology. The many peaceful uses of nuclear technology have a beneficial impact on our everyday lives – from energy production and food security to health care and the protection of the environment.
International Maritime Organization (IMO) – Kids’ Zone
http://kids.imo.org/
“All aboard the IMO kids’ zone” The kid-friendly website includes a specially-commissioned animation showing how IMO works to protect the marine environment and the atmosphere. By clicking on the colourful links, young people can learn more about IMO’s work. Topics include protecting the atmosphere; dealing with waste; clean oceans; invasive species; particularly sensitive sea areas; and protecting marine life from noise pollution.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) – The IMF and Youth
https://www.imf.org/en/About/Partners/Youth
International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Not Just Numbers: An Educational Toolkit about Migration and Asylum in Europe
https://www.iom.int/not-just-numbers-educational-toolkit-about-migration-and-asylum-europe
“Not Just Numbers” is a toolkit about migration and asylum in the European Union produced by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The toolkit has been designed to help teachers and other educators engage young people in informed discussion on this important subject. It is suitable for teaching young people between the ages of 12 and 18 and is available in 24 EU Member States in 20 languages.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) – Training and Education Materials
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/PublicationsResources/Pages/TrainingEducation.aspx
This series consists of publications and multimedia resources aimed at supporting general human rights education efforts. It includes guidance material on the World Programme for Human Rights Education and related methodological and reference tools.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children – Children’s corner
https://srsgonviolenceagai.wixsite.com/srsgvac
In this pace you can find information about my work and the work of other colleagues on violence against girls and boys, like you and your friends! You can also find drawings, information on ways to present and complain about violent situations you may experience or know about and a version of the study hat led the UN to choose me to work together with politicians, religious leaders, teachers and, most importantly, children on violence against children.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Climate Box
http://climate-box.com/
Climate Box is a comprehensive learning toolkit that educates school children about climate change and inspires them to take action. Designed to make learning fun and interesting, the Climate Box provides up-to-date information on climate change with a range of creative tasks, games, quizzes and experiments, as well as resources for teachers/educators.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – Teaching about Refugees (Teaching Resources & UNHCR teachers’ toolkit)
http://www.unhcr.org/teaching-about-refugees.html
With forced displacement reaching historic levels, schools all over the world are welcoming increasing numbers of refugee children. Teachers are facing new challenges in making sense of forced displacement and its complexities. Refugees and migrants regularly make headlines and the internet is bustling with information on the topic. Explaining the situation of refugees and migrants to primary and secondary school children has become part of many educators’ daily work. In addition, training and guidance for teachers with refugees in their classrooms is not always based on best practice, and is not always easily available. On this UNHCR Teaching About Refugees page you can find free-of-charge and adaptable UNHCR teaching materials on refugees, asylum, migration and statelessness and a section dedicated to professional development and guidance for primary and secondary school teachers on including refugee children in their classes. Use and combine these materials as you see fit in your lessons about the topic.
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) – Education and Outreach
https://www.opcw.org/resources/education-and-outreach
Enhancing understanding of the work and mandate of the OPCW through education materials for students, educators, civil society, and policymakers.
UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)
http://www.iiep.unesco.org/en/library-resources/thematic-resource-portals
To help educational planners to learn and / or share their knowledge, IIEP publishes thematic websites:
- Planipolis, the portal of national education plans and policies and key education frameworks and monitoring reports
- IIEP Learning Portal
- The UNESCO HIV&Health Clearing House
- Etico, the portal on ethics and corruption in education
- Education for safety, resilience and social cohesion
- PEFOP, the platform of expertise in vocational training
- SITEAL, information on education systems in Latin America
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – Education transforms lives
https://en.unesco.org/themes/education/
Education transforms lives and is at the heart of UNESCO’s mission to build peace, eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development. UNESCO believes that education is a human right for all throughout life and that access must be matched by quality. The Organization is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to cover all aspects of education. It has been entrusted to lead the Global Education 2030 Agenda through Sustainable Development Goal 4. The roadmap to achieve this is the Education 2030 Framework for Action (FFA). UNESCO provides global and regional leadership in education, strengthens education systems worldwide and responds to contemporary global challenges through education with gender equality an underlying principle. Its work encompasses educational development from pre-school to higher education and beyond. Themes include global citizenship and sustainable development, human rights and gender equality, health and HIV and AIDS, as well as technical and vocational skills development.
UN Environment (UNEP)
Campaigns
https://www.unep.org/get-involved
Protecting the planet is everyone’s responsibility. Get involved. Invest in a better future.
Current campaigns: Beat Pollution, Breath Life, Champions of the Earth, Clean Seas, Lead Paint, Think.Eat.Save, Wild for life, World Environment Day.
Youth, education and environment
IIEP Learning Portal
UNEP is working with major university networks and partners such as the Scout Movement and the gaming industry to support their communities of millions of young people to learn and act in support of the environment. This newly design programme also seeks to inspire the next generation of young leaders by offering them programmes to participate in, courses to learn from in addition to exploring how a new era of Green Collar Jobs for youth can be created.
Global Marine Litter Information Gateway – Kids Against Marine Litter
http://marine-litter.gpa.unep.org/kids/kids.htm
Several agencies and organizations working with the issue of marine litter (marine debris) offer educational material and special activities for children. The overall purpose of these efforts is to make children familiar with the marine environment, make them care about it and understand the consequences of abusing it. The educational programmes are about waste management in general and/or about marine litter in particular. A few examples of programmes and activities targeting children/students (and their teachers) are given here.
Young Champions of the Earth
https://www.unep.org/youngchampions/
Young Champions of the Earth is a forward-looking prize designed to breathe life into the ambitions of brilliant young environmentalists. Each year, six young people – one from each global region – will be named Young Champions of the Earth. These winners receive seed funding, intensive training, and tailored mentorship to help them bring their big environmental ideas to life.
Ozone Secretariat – Education Portal
https://ozone.unep.org/education-portal
The ozone layer is an invisible shield above the Earth’s surface, protecting us, and all life on earth from harmful UV radiation. In the 1980s, scientists discovered a harmful hole in the ozone layer. It was caused by chemicals and gases known as ozone depleting substances which were found in almost everything – from aerosol cans to the soles of your shoes! Scientists, policy makers and governments worked together, to control and phase out ozone depleting substances. And it worked! The hole in the ozone layer is healing, but we have to keep at it. This Education Platform has been designed as a resource for teachers to help engage their students around the ozone layer. Together, let’s work to inspire the next generation to keep protecting the ozone layer!
Ozone Secretariat – Reset Earth education platform
https://ozone.unep.org/reset-earth-education-resources
Reset Earth is a global campaign run by the UNEP Ozone Secretariat to educate the next generation about the dangers our world faces due to ozone depletion and what we can do to fix it. We’ve made incredible progress so far with scientists, policymakers and governments working together and taking urgent steps to control and phase out ozone-depleting substances. However, we still have a long way to go before the damage is completely undone.
ASCOBANS KIDS
Secretariat of the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (UNEP/ASCOBANS)
http://kids.ascobans.org/
Welcome to ASCOBANS Kids! On this website you will find lots of information on whales, dolphins and porpoises. Here you can learn about their characteristics, anatomy, behaviour and more. We are also preparing a selection of games and activities that will be available in this website very soon, so please come back and tell all your friends! For the moment you can participate in our Harbour Porpoise Naming Competition or send us your artwork to have it displayed in the Virtual Sea.
You probably love whales, dolphins and porpoises as much as we do, but unfortunately, these fascinating animals are at risk due to human activities such as fishing, pollution or noise. ASCOBANS is an organization dedicated to saving the whales, dolphins and porpoises of Northern Europe. We do this by convincing governments to protect their seas and all the marine life living in them. You can also help to protect whales, dolphins and porpoises, explore our website to learn how!
United Nations Climate Change (UNFCCC)
#Climattitude campaign
https://offset.climateneutralnow.org/climatequiz
UN Climate Change has launched a new campaign to encourage all types of climate action, no matter how big or small, on the part of citizens around the world.
A central element of the #Climattitude campaign is a fun quiz, which allows users to discover their own personal climate footprint making use of the UN carbon footprint calculator.
UNFCCC Resources for Youth
https://unfccc.int/topics/education-and-outreach/resources/materials-on-youth
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – Voices of Youth
http://www.voicesofyouth.org/
Voices of Youth is UNICEF’s digital community FOR YOUTH, BY YOUTH.
Follow these steps to create an account and submit your blogs, illustrations, poems and other sparks of creativity through our website.
You can also use the hashtag #Voicesofyouth to share your content on social media.
Follow us on Instagram to discover new stories, opportunities and resources.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) – Education for Justice
http://www.unodc.org/e4j/
The Education for Justice (E4J) initiative seeks to prevent crime and promote a culture of lawfulness through education activities designed for primary, secondary and tertiary levels. These activities help educators teach the next generation to better understand and address problems that can undermine the rule of law and encourage students to actively engage in their communities and future professions in this regard. A set of products and activities for the primary and secondary levels is being developed in partnership with UNESCO.
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) – Information for Students
http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/informationfor/students.html
On this page is listed all information of relevance to students, including on the Regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education, fellowships and internships within the Office.
Universal Postal Union (UPU) – International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People
https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/Outreach-Campaigns/International-Letter-Writing-Competition-for-Young-People
Since 1971, the UPU has encouraged young writers aged 9-15 to write letters on a given theme to win exciting prizes. The competition is an excellent way of making young people aware of the important role postal services play in our societies. It develops their skills in composition and their ability to express thoughts clearly. It also fosters enjoyment of letter writing and helps strengthen the bonds of international friendship.
Youth and the World Bank Group
http://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/youth
The World Bank wants to empower young people and together contribute to its twin goals: ending poverty and investing in opportunity.
World Food Programme (WFP)
Freerice: The World Food Programme’s new Youth Hub
https://freerice.com/
After more than 10 years, Freerice is growing up! That’s because the World Food Programme’s popular philanthropic trivia game is more than just a fun platform for testing your knowledge and earning rice grains. Freerice is now a Youth Hub aimed at building a community of Hunger Heroes and empowering young people around the world through digital storytelling, a volunteering program, downloadable resources and more.
School feeding
https://www.wfp.org/school-meals
WFP’s mission is to ensure that all school aged children have access to school meals and are healthy and ready to learn.
World Meteorological Organization – WMO for Youth
http://youth.wmo.int/
This website dedicated to children and teens answers frequently asked questions you may have about weather, climate and water. It is also a starting point for a better understanding of how these affect every aspect of your daily life. Information on weather, climate and water is vital for protecting our environment and for making the planet safer for us all, especially for future generations.
World Trade Organization (WTO) – Students and young professionals
http://www.wto.org/english/forums_e/students_e/students_e.htm
Explore this page to find out more about the work of the WTO, opportunities for students and young professionals, and how trade is relevant to you and your country.
UN Observances
Fact sheets, background material and other related information resources can also be found on the website for UN observances declared by the General Assembly: https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-days-and-weeks
Following please find a selection of International Days focusing on children and youth:
24 January – International Day of Education
https://www.un.org/en/observances/education-day
https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/educationday
11 February – International Day of Women and Girls in Science
https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day/
https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/womenandgirlinscienceday
fourth Thursday of April – International Girls in ICT Day [ITU]
https://www.itu.int/women-and-girls/girls-in-ict/
15 May – International Day of Families
https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families
https://www.un.org/development/desa/family/international-day-of-families.html
4 June – International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
https://www.un.org/en/observances/child-victim-day
12 June – World Day Against Child Labour
https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-day-against-child-labour
http://www.ilo.org/ipec/Campaignandadvocacy/wdacl/lang–en/index.htm
15 July – World Youth Skills Day
https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-youth-skills-day
12 August – International Youth Day
https://www.un.org/en/observances/youth-day
https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/what-we-do/international-youth-day.html
https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/youthday
5 October – World Teachers’ Day
https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldteachersday
11 October – International Day of the Girl Child
https://www.un.org/en/observances/girl-child-day
https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/girl-child
https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/internationaldaygirlchild
18 November
World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence
20 November – Universal Children’s Day
https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-childrens-day
http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/girl-child
Further information is often available on the websites of UNICEF’s national committees: https://www.unicef.org/about/structure/index_natcoms.html
Social Media
The UN on Social Media
https://www.un.org/en/get-involved/social-media
This site lists the official UN Social Media accounts.
UNRIC Social Media
https://unric.org/en/unric-social-media-in-your-language/
The UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC) provides social media updates in 13 languages.
not an official document – for information only
https://unric.org/en/unric-library-backgrounder-educational-resources/