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GEOGRAPHY - RESEARCH: United Nations Sources

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The United Nations is arguably the most recognised global body that provides strategies, programs and information on issues or situations in virtually every part of the world. 

Below are lists of some of the different organisations run by, or affiliated with, the UN which are invaluable sources of information for Geography research tasks; most provide specific information on different issues and programs, as well as the ability to access and download reports. The UN also has several YouTube channels that are useful sources of information. 

Humanitarian

  • UNICEF Data Site- "UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action." (UNICEF, 2016). This particular UNICEF website includes data on wellbeing issues relating to children and allows users to search by issue or by country.
  • UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner - This agency covers a wide-range of issues globally, including terrorism, human trafficking, and right to food and water amongst many others. 
  • The UN Millennium Goals - A wealth of information on global poverty, and associated issues, and programs to help communities and individuals out of poverty.

Environmental

  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change- "The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change." (IPCC, 2016)
  • The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction -"Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) aims to reduce the damage caused by natural hazards like earthquakes, floods, droughts and cyclones, through an ethic of prevention." (UNISDR, 2016)
  • UN Environment Programme - this UN body oversees a wide range of programs relating to the environment, including climate change and ecosystem management. 
  • International Fund for Agricultural Development - IFAD is a specialised UN agency that works with global regional communities in developing countries to overcome varying issues, including climate change and poverty. 

Health

  • WHO - The World Health Organisation website is a trove of information relating to most global health based issues or topics. 
  • UN Global Issues: Health - this UN page describes, and provides links to, the health issues that the UN is involved with around the world. 
  • UN Population Fund - this UN agency deals with a range of health based issues, including HIV/AIDS, child marriage and virus outbreaks.