UNITED NATIONS REGISTER U
UN IS YOUR WORLD!
UNITED NATIONS REGISTER UN
193 countries ONE GOAL PEACE AND SECURITY
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization created in 1945 to promote world peace, economic and social development, and other development forms of international cooperation.
UN HQ IN NEW YORK
UN HQ IN GENEVA
Secretary-General of the United Nations
BAN KI-MOON
The Secretary-General is a symbol of United Nations ideals and a spokesman for the interests of the peoples of the world, particularly the poor and vulnerable.
Official languages (procedural languages) of the United Nations The official languages of the United Nations are the six languages that are used in UN meetings, and in which all official UN documents are written when budget allows. In alphabetical order, they are: Arabic Chinese English French Russian Spanish
GENERAL ASSAMBLEY
SECURITY COUNCIL
Economic and Social Council
United Nations Trusteeship Council
193 countries…HOW TO FIND COMMON LANGUAGE?
CODE OF CONDUCT AMONG UN MEMBERS! RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY - an ability to work effectively, respectfully and inclusively with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
RESPECT Conduct and discipline INTEGRITY PROFESSIONALISM KNOWLEDGE OF UN REGISTER
ZERO TOLERANCE ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION SECTUAL EXPLOATATION AND ABUSE VIOLENCE
REGISTER - Resources for Using English at the United Nations
UN REGISTER A Guide to Writing for the United Nations a classic guide by retired editor W. H. Hindle. His advice, expressed with charm, wisdom and wit, is still as valid and useful today as when he first wrote it.
UN REGISTER United Nations Editorial Manual Online – Available to anyone with an Internet connection. Look here for the most recent United Nations spelling list, style and format guidelines for reports. You can also try a self-study Report Writing course, and use the 'ask the editor' feature.
UN REGISTER United Nations Correspondence Manual (on UN server only) - Available on i. Seek, the UNHQ Intranet. Look here for the most recent United Nations spelling list, style and format guidelines for reports, and more.
UN REGISTER Correspondence Writing Workbook – This electronic workbook provides examples of common United Nations correspondence and practice exercises. Although designed to accompany our programme's 'Writing Letters, Memos & Email' course, it can also be used for self study.
Writing topic guides Quick Introduction name of the topic Location duration significance for specific countries the region continents or the world some notable facts
Clarity in writing "Everything that can be thought at all can be thought clearly. Everything that can be said clearly. " Ludwig Wittgenstein
Goals: clear, simple, concise, action-oriented writing In order to achieve the goals of clarity, simplicity and conciseness recommend the following rules:
Seven simple rules for clear writing UN reports: State a fact or an idea directly. Use concrete rather than abstract words. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs. Use the active voice rather than the passive voice. The active voice is actionoriented. Avoid wordy sentences. Use verbs rather than nouns. Verbs are dynamic and action-oriented.
Concise Oxford English Dictionary UNDP follows the UN Secretariat in using the latest edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary for spelling and hyphenation conventions. The dictionary is a combination of traditional English and US spellings.
Some common spelling examples: Analyse (not analyze) Catalyse (not catalyze) Organization (not organisation) Decentralization (not decentralisation) Programme (not program) Paediatrics (not pediatrics) Travelling (not traveling) Fulfil (not fulfill) Enrol (not enroll) Favour (not favor)
UN documents writing rules Length of reports Reports originating in the Secretariat must not exceed 8, 500 words (32 double -spaced pages) in length. A waiver must be requested for reports that exceed the limit.
Format Text, including footnotes, must be double-spaced (2. 0). Font size must be no smaller than 12 point. Main headings and subheadings should be in bold print. Initial capitals are used only for the first word and words normally capitalized.
OFFICIAL REGISTER ONLY WRITTEN ORAL
Types of United Nations reports 1. Substantive research reports of the Secretary-General Internal department reports Mission reports
Other types of United Nations reports (a) Public information reports; (b) Technical reports; (c) Reports on conferences and expert group and working group meetings; (d) Inter-agency reports; (e) Project proposals; (f) Incident reports; (g) Analytical reports on application of rules and policies.
UN LANGUAGE NON-DISCRIMINATORY LANGUAGE We have to take care to avoid all forms of discrimination as to gender, race, culture, nationality, religion, and suchlike. .
GENDER BIAS Sometimes, offence may be caused inadvertently, where the reader and the author have different sensitivities. The most frequent example of this, and one which is being addressed throughout the United Nations system of organizations, is gender bias
CORRESPONDENCE In English, certain specific forms of salutation (e. g. Dear Sir) call for corresponding specific closing formulas (e. g. Yours faithfully). The main combinations are set out in the table below: Salutation Closing Dear Sir, Yours faithfully, Dear Madam, Yours faithfully, Dear Mr/Ms [NAME], Yours sincerely, Sir, Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration Madam, Accept, Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration
THE MOST IMPORTANT UNITED NATIONS TOPICS Peace and Security
THE MOST IMPORTANT UNITED NATIONS TOPICS Poverty Refugees Hunger domestic violence Tuberculosis Fight against terrorism AIDS family
THE MOST IMPORTANT UNITED NATIONS TOPICS Decolonization Disarmament Climate change Children Education People with Disabilities Population Water
THE MOST IMPORTANT UNITED NATIONS TOPICS Democracy Demining human rights Agriculture Health nuclear energy aging
OFFICIAL UN VOCABULARY convention Agreement concluded between states; synonym of treaty. It is legally binding on the states which ratify it. covenant Synonym of treaty, convention; agreement between states. declaration A document whose signatories express their agreement with a set of objectives and principles. It is not legally binding but carries moral weight. democracy A form of government which requires the participation of the people. A political system which is characterized, inter alia, by the independence of the executive body, the legislative body and the judiciary, as well as free elections.
OFFICIAL UN VOCABULARY disadvantaged Refers to all groups that encounter structural obstacles (i. e. , obstacles created by society) to access to resources, benefits and opportunities. Those obstacles derive from the relationships of power which exist in all societies and the relative value which society gives to each group. discrimination Any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, opinion, descent, or national or ethnic origin which discourages or prevents equal recognition, enjoyment or exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life. illiteracy (adult) An illiterate person cannot, with understanding, both read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life. A person who can only write figures, his or her name or a memorized ritual phrase is not considered literate. participation A process by which people take an active and influential role in shaping decisions that affect their lives. peace-making Action to settle conflicts through peaceful means such as negotiations, judicial settlements, sanctions or cease-fire agreements.
OFFICIAL UN VOCABULARY protocol Agreement which completes an international treaty or convention, and which has the same legal force as the initial document. public freedoms Freedoms which are guaranteed and protected by the state. rapporteur A representative who reports on a situation. In this case, a special rapporteur is a representative who gathers facts, visits prisons, interviews victims, and makes recommendations on how to increase respect for human rights. ratification Approval of a treaty, convention or other document by a country’s competent bodies, thereby securing that country’s commitment to it. recommendation International text which, in theory, does not constitute an obligation. refugee Person who has left their country due to a well-founded fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group. resolution Text adopted by a deliberative body, an international organization (for example, by the United Nations General Assembly or the General Conference of UNESCO). rule of law The requirement that the state provide legal guarantees for rights which uphold the dignity of the individual.
VOCABULARY BY TOPICS Military Police Rule of law Civil affairs Electoral assistance Security sector reform Mine action
VOCABULARY BY TOPICS Gender and peacekeeping Women, peace and security Women in peacekeeping Protection of civilians Environment and sustainability Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration Children in conflict Human rights
VOCABULARY BY TOPICS Disarmament Countering Terrorism Global strategy to counter-terrorism; victim assistance education
Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Organized Crime
Thematic Issues Peacemaking and Preventive Action Peacebuilding Peacekeeping
PEACE AND SECURITY PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
PEACEKEEPING
The most important point RESPECTFUL VOCABULARY RESPECTFUL BEHIVIOUR AND CODE OF CONUCT
UN PECEKEEPER - We will always: Conduct ourselves in a professional and disciplined manner, at all times; Dedicate ourselves to achieving the goals of the United Nations; Respect the environment of the host country; Act with impartiality, integrity and tact; Support and encourage proper conduct among our fellow peace-keepers
INFORMAL COMMUNICATION IN UN informal round tables Discussions Cultural festivals “Happy hours” for informal communication and socializing among UN workers on the ground and in operations
Goodwill Ambassadors – messengers for peace
Goodwill Ambassador
MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS