Social Science Librarian
Stephen (Social Sciences) Woods
He/him/his
Contact:
Office: 208 Paterno Library, University Park
Phone: 814.865.0665
Starting places
- IGO Search Engine (UIASearches over 3,000 IGO sites. Created by the Union of International Associations (UIA)
- Intergovernmental Organization Search Engine (GODORT)A specialized Google search engine designed to search across a wide variety of International and intergovernmental organizations.
- International Organizations and Groups [CIA World Factbook]alphabetical list of international organizations and groups. Useful for basic information about a group, including member countries.
- Northwestern University Library IGO listSome short descriptions to IGOs with links included.
UN Family of Agencies
- United NationsThe single most important IGO
- UN iLibrary This link opens in a new windowAccess to many publication not available for free on the UN public website.
Major Funds and Departments within the UN
These agencies report directly to the Secretariate.
- UNCTAD: United Nations Conference on Trade and DevelopmentFocuses on issues of international trade and its relationship to development.
- UNDP: United Nations Development ProgrammeThe UNDP is one of the many UN agencies involved in development work. It publishes many reports and studies including reports related to development projects it funds. Some major access points:
- UNEP: United Nations Environment Programmethe main focus point within the UN for all environmental efforts.
- UNHCR : The UN Refugee Agencyleads and co-ordinates international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide.
- UN-Habitat: UN Human Settlements ProgrammePromotes socially and environmentally sustainable human settlement
- UNODC: UN Office on Drugs and CrimeWorks with member states to fight illicit drugs and crime.
- UNRWA: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine RefugeesFocuses on issues of education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance with Palestinian Refugees
- UN WomenPull together info from the UN system on gender equality and women’s empowerment
- World Food Programmethe food aid arm of the United Nations system. Food aid is one of the many instruments that can help to promote food security, which is defined as access of all people at all times to the food needed for an active and healthy life.
UN Specialized Agencies
- The World BankPremier international development agency
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) WebsiteMain public website for the IMF. The organization fosters economic growth and employment by providing temporary financial assistance to countries to help ease balance of payments adjustment and technical assistance
- IMF e-Library This link opens in a new windowDirect access to the IMF's periodicals, books, working papers and studies, and data and statistical tools. Includes content not available through the IMF public website.
- FAO: Food and Agriculture OrganizationFocuses on efforts to alleviate hunger through better agricultural practices
- IFAD: International Fund for Agricultural DevelopmentPromotes agricultural development to alleviate rural poverty and hunger.
- ILO: International Labour OrganizationPromotes international labor rights by formulating international standards on the freedom to associate, collective bargaining, the abolition of forced labor, and equality of opportunity and treatment.
- IMO: International Maritime OrganizationAdvocates for a comprehensive shipping regulatory framework, addressing safety and environmental concerns, legal matters, technical cooperation, security, and efficiency.
- ITU: International Telecommunications UnionFocuses on telecommunications and information technology issues.
- UNIDO: UN Industrial Development OrganizationFocuses on issues of industrial development and poverty reduction
- WHO: World Health OrganizationMonitors public health around the world and responds to global health emergencies, pandemics, and works to eradicate diseases.
- WIPO: World Intellectual Property OrganizationProtects intellectual property throughout the world through 23 international treaties.
- WMO: World Meteorological OrganizationPromotes the free international exchange of meteorological data and information
Other IGO's
These Intergovernmental organizations are made up of countries that span the world but have more limited membership.
- OECD: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development35 member countries including the most advanced economies as well as select emerging economies.
- OECD iLibrary This link opens in a new windowFull-text book and serial publications not available on the public website. Also includes substantial data sets.
- G7/G8 Information Centre (University of TorontoTracks the annual meeting of the top 7/8 developed countries.
- IAEA: International Atomic Energy AgencyOverseas and monitors the peaceful use of atomic energy around the world.
- Interparliamentary UnionEverything you need to know about parliaments around the world
- IOM: International Organization for MigrationHelps manage challenges of migration, explores migration issues, and encourages social and economic development through migration.
- World Trade OrganizationGlobal organization that coordinates trade rules worldwide.