UNITED NATIONS
PICTURE BOOKS:
A Picture Book of Eleanor Roosevelt
by David A. Adler. NY: Holiday House, 1991. The early life of Eleanor Roosevelt for primary aged children.
Three Promises to You
by Munro Leaf. Originally published in the US by JP Lippincott, 1957; in India, 2008 by Arvind Kumar Publishers www.arvindkumarpublishers.com and available in UN bookstores in Geneva and NY (in the visitor’s lobby of the General Assembly (GA-32) or call 1-800-553-5210.) In a kind of coloring book format Leaf questions very young children about their own differences, needs and fears, and explains how these translate into the world family. One of the few really simplified efforts to address the goals of the UN for primary age children.
UNICEF: United Nations Children’s Fund
by Anastasia Suen. PowerKids Press, 2002. Part of the Helping Organizations Series that also includes Habitat for Humanity and the Red Cross, children K-3 learn when the UN and UNICEF started, what it stands for, and some of the ways it raises money and helps children and families worldwide. Includes details on how children can be fundraisers (“trick or treat” for UNICEF) Available through Amazon.com.
INTERMEDIATE GRADES:
Enchantment of the World Series
NY: Children’s Press, a division of Scholastic Inc. Individual color-photo books devoted to many of the member states of the UN – also for Middle School, provides great background information for young participants in model UN
Lending a Helping Hand: Humanitarian Relief Operations
by Roger Smith. Philadelphia: Mason Crest Publishers, 2007. www.masoncrest.com Part of the Mason Crest series, this chronicles one of the most successful roles of the UN, large-scale, compassionate disaster relief, Colorful photo illustrations and understandable text.
Stateswoman to the World: A Story About Eleanor Roosevelt
by Maryann N. Weidt. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 1991 an easy to read large print bio with b&w drawings.
United Nations –Peacekeepers?
by Edward Johnson. NY: Thomas Ning, 1995; UK: Wayland (Publishers) LTD. Part of the Global Issues Series, provides not only a guide to the UN’s peacekeeping missions around the globe, and the difficulties involved, but acts as a springboard for discussions on the successes and failures of the UN as peacekeepers.
The United Nations
by Stewart Ross. Chicago: Raintree, a div. of Reed Elsevier, Inc., 2004. Part of the World Watch Series, this is a critical but fair evaluation of the UN’s history and efforts around the world. Covers the humanitarian work of the UN in addition to the political –many colorful photos.
YOUNG ADULT AND ADULT:
A Global Agenda: Issues Before the United Nations 2009-2010
A compendium of very readable and critical essays, by internationally recognized writers and editors, Sr. policy associates, ambassadors, journalists and academics on current issues in which the UN is involved. A publication of United Nations Assn/USA www.unausa.org; adult
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About the United Nations
A good introduction for middle and secondary school students-colorful, informative, many visuals –an excellent resource for teachers as well. Part of the School Kit provided by the Public Inquiries Unit, Dept. of Public Information, United Nations, NY, NY 10017; Tel: 212-963-4475; E-mail: www.inquiries@un.org; On the web at www.un.org/geninfo/faq
Hammarskjöld
by Brian Urquhart. NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 1972. The definitive, in depth and well-documented account of the second and perhaps most revered Secretary-General’s years at the United Nations, until his death in a plane crash in 1961, by a former Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, who describes him as “that most unusual of creatures, a truly good man.” Some wonderful anecdotes here, of Hammarskjöld’s use of personal diplomacy, when 11 American airmen were shot down over China, Kruschev’s shoe-banging episode in the General Assembly, as well as the struggles in the Middle East, Hungary, and finally the Congo, which cost Hammarskjöld his life.
Markings by Dag Hammarskjöld
NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 1964. Translated from the Swedish Vägmärken. Stockholm: Bonniers, 1963. Hammarskjöld’s spiritual journal, poetic and elusive in spots, which never mentions the UN, but is essential to understanding the personal side of the man, and his mindset during many of the crises in which he was involved. Many entries are dated, which helps in correlation.
Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey
by Brian Urquhart. 1993. Available through amazon.com. This is the first major biography of the Nobel Prize-winning Bunche, by his closest assistant from 1954-71, who was given access to Bunche’s private papers by the Bunche family. Urquhart brings to life this “Jackie Robinson of American Diplomacy” who was at times, treated as a second-class citizen in his own country.
Kofi Annan: A Man of Peace in a World of War
by Stanley Meisler. John Wiley & Sons, 2007. Considered a “readable, wise, balanced and thoughtful” portrait of the widely admired 7th Secretary General. Drawing on personal interviews with Annan, as well as numerous friends, UN colleagues, diplomats and world leaders, Meisler, a long time and respected reporter on the UN, examines the undeniable achievements of this remarkable man, as well as events like the Iraq War and his son’s participation in the Oil for Food scandal that threatened to undermine his credibility.
Man Without a Gun
by Giandomenico Pico. A real page-turner, chronicles the efforts of the author, an Italian diplomat working almost single-handedly with Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar to rescue Lebanese hostages in 1992; in spots his adventures read like a spy novel; yet his diplomacy with the leader of Hezbollah, ultimately winning his respect, is an example of what can be accomplished if people have the courage to talk with one another. Out of print, but available in libraries.
The United Nations: The First Fifty Years
by Stanley Meisler. “A strikingly readable behind- the -scenes account of the UN’s first half century” “sprinkled with rich anecdotes of a colorful cast of characters, warts and all.” Available through amazon.com.
UN Jigsaw
by Wilfred Grey. NY: Vantage Press, 2000. A wonderfully observant and wide-ranging overview, accurately defining the growing role of civil society in partnership with the UN system. Pays special attention to the role of women and people from developing countries. Available at the UN bookstore. 1-800-553-5210.
SUGGESTED TEACHER RESOURCES
Guided Tours
To book a tour for your class, call 212-963-4440; www.un.org/tours
Model UN
A simulation for Middle School, High School and college students. See the following websites for an overview, FAQs, How to start a Model UN club, How to Plan for a Model UN Conference, Research Tips etc.: www.unausa.org/modelun101, and www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/modelun/index.asp You can also google Model UN for examples of Model UN programs done at various schools and universities. See also Global Model UN, an initiative of the Educational Outreach Division of the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI); for 1,000 university students; rotates annually among all regions of the world ensuring geographical diversity and gender balance. www.un.org/gmun or contact Yvonne Acosta, Chief of Educational Outreach DPI, 212-936-7214, acostay@un.org
Posters
A large variety available from the Public Inquiries desk on the ground floor of the General Assembly, across from the coffee shop call 212-963-4475.
School Kits
This is separate from the School Kit envelope provided by the Dept. of Public Information. Designed by teachers for teachers, these three books, intended for primary, intermediate and secondary levels, contain a selection of texts and activities arranged thematically. Check with Public Inquiries.
Speakers Bureau
Invite a UN speaker to your classroom in person or via video conference, or arrange a briefing for your students at UN Headquarters (Minimum age: 14) email www.unitg@un.org or call 212- 963-7710.
UN Chronicle
A quarterly, easy-to-read magazine-covering a range of UN activities. Suitable for high school and above. Available in the UN Bookstore or online at www.un.org/chronicle
MEDIA RESOURCES
A Common Goal
This film introduces and explains what the United Nations is and how it operates using a soccer game as a metaphor. Using footage from all over the world, the program explains the concepts of peacekeeping and human rights and defines the UN’s role in these areas. It also explains what the General Assembly and Security Council do and how they work. For elementary and intermediate students. Available from Films for the Humanities and Sciences: www.ffh.films.com or call 1-800-257-5126.
60 Ways the UN Makes a Difference
This DVD presents, through the voices of young people around the world, a sampling of what the UN and its agencies have accomplished since 1945, and the vast array of its undertakings. Available in the UN Bookstore -call 1800-553-5210, or in book form from UN Publications at http://unp.un.org
A VirtualTour of the United Nations
On CD Rom – contains 150 interactive panoramas, more than 2 hrs. video, 114 gifts and artworks, the history of the UN, over 40 interviews, and a tour of UN Headquarters. For Mac OSX-3.9 and later or Windows 2000/XP. From Spinning Eye LTD. www.spinningeye.com
Visions of a Secretary General: Dag Hammarskjöld and the United Nations 1953-1961
A finely –tuned portrait using newly recorded interviews, and archival film and photo material gives a sense of Dag Hammarskjöld as a person, his struggles during the cold War and his death in a plane crash in Africa. Available in English and Swedish on DVD from the UN Bookstore, or from Athena Films www.athenafilms.se
Core Concepts of the MDG’s
A self-paced UN Interagency course, available on DVD with an accompanying book, for teaching the 8 Millenium Development Goals. Available from the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) UN Development Group Office 1 UN Plaza NY, NY 10017 212-906-5885 www.undg.org
LINKS TO OTHER SITES
United Nations Homepage.
Links to all UN Departments and up-to-date news and activities in the six official languages. http://www.un.org
Center for UN Reform Education (CURE)
www.centerforunreform.org An umbrella organization founded in 1978 to generate interest in, and report on, proposals that have the potential to improve and strengthen the UN System.
Cyber School Bus
A variety of resources, activities and information for teachers and students in all grades, including a video contest for students to express their own views of what could be done to save the world. http://www.cyberschoolbus.un.org
UNICEF
Materials, news and information about children’s rights, health and education throughout the world. http://www.unicef.org See also www.teachunicef.org for teaching materials and activities.