Asking the UN about the UN: a myriad of questions

UN Chronicle, Sept, 1995 by Elsa M. Endrst

The questions are many and sometimes offbeat. They ask how they can form their own countries (most with strange sounding names). They propose international days for friendship or animals. Some want to find a lost relative, address the General Assembly, or speak to the Secretary-General personally on what they call an important matter.

The daily calls and letters received by the United Nations deal with a myriad of questions and requests for information, ranging from world issues to somewhat offbeat suggestions. Answering those requests is the sensitive work of the Public Inquiries Unit (PIU) of the UN Department of Public Information.

Peace-keeping, peacemaking and social development accounted for the lion's share of the more than 42,000 inquiries processed in 1994. Thousands of additional queries were forwarded by other Departments. Developments in Rwanda, Somalia, the former Yugoslavia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Haiti were also the subject of numerous inquiries.

Madhumita Hosali, Chief of PIU, says that the most satisfying and challenging part of the Unit's work is that it serves as "the human interface" with members of the public, whether they are seeking information about the UN, criticizing it or expressing support.

"The staff has to always keep in mind that one visitor, one phone call or one letter can end up being the only contact that person has with this Organization and we have to try to ensure that it is a positive experience", she notes.

The Public inquiries Unit is a resource centre primarily serving the North American public, providing answers to questions by mail, telephone and "walk-in" visitors. It also distributes general and detailed information on the work of the Organization through daily press releases, texts of UN resolutions and decisions, and various documents.

The staff spend much of their time explaining what the UN is able or not able to do. Inquiries have increased dramatically when the UN dominates the news, most recently through burgeoning peace-keeping operations.

Many specific requests come to the Unit from universities, libraries, various kinds of academic institutions, such as the Carter Center in Atlanta, and Congressmen's and Senators' offices. Overseas requests have also been received from such places as the House of Commons, on behalf of British Parliamentarians.

Among available materials are: * "What's the United Nations?", a guide for young and old alike, which is sure to clear up many misconceptions about the work of the Organization. * An attractive wall-chart "Peacekeeping: Answers at your Fingertips" answers commonly asked questions about these operations and explains broad principles. "Although it does not give all the details of every operation, it does explain the broad perimeters", Ms. Hosali points out. * In addition to human rights and the environment, a listing of UN members, giving the date of each country's entrance into the Organization and its most recent estimated population, is popular with students and scholars. * A booklet entitled "Girls: Challenging the World", which poses such questions, based on short stories, as: "Should Nalini get married at the age of 14?; Why has Wanjiku dropped out of school?"; and "What will Jenny do with her baby?" After each story, suggestions are made as to how these questions can be discussed in the classroom. * A "United Nations at 50" brochure suggesting many ways for participation in global celebrations.

Other general information available through the PIU deals with a history of the UN building and its artwork on display; a listing of UN depository libraries, where UN documentation is available for consultation; a listing of publications of UN specialized agencies; a listing of the locations of headquarters of UN intergovernmental agencies; a paper on membership of principal UN organs in 1995; and an information guide for visitors to the UN.

In May, fifth grade students at the Sacred Heart School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, sent hand illustrated birthday cards addressed to the Secretary-General, wishing the UN a happy birthday.

"We are sending these birthday cards to show our support for all the work the UN does in settling world conflicts. We are studying very hard in order to find our own alternate ways to settle classroom disputes, and I have seen a great improvement in peaceful resolutions of these problems", wrote teacher Mrs. Patricia Coulter.

Ms. Hosali says: "Even if these days information is accessible electronically, there is still a need for the human interface which this office provides."

http://www.un.org

The United Nations World Wide Web "home page" (pictured above) was launched on the Internet on 26 June, the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter.

The new electronic service will provide, with a simple click on a computer icon, a wide variety of instantly available information on the United Nations. This will include: the latest UN news, documents, press releases and daily highlights of events and proceedings; basic information about the UN and its family of specialized agencies and international organizations: biographical information and a photograph of the current Secretary-General; selected publications and promotional materials; a pictorial history of the UN; and an electronic tour of the main conference rooms and selected artworks displayed at UN Headquarters.