Kofi Annan is often quoted as having said that small arms and light weapons are "weapons of mass destruction in slow motion." Help me find the full text of the speech, statement or document in which he first said this. [more inside]
posted by jrb223 on Aug 19, 2009 - 6 answers

I'd like to work for the United Nations (or a similar international civil service organization). How do I find temporary/consultant work for them? [more inside]
posted by insouciant on May 8, 2009 - 1 answer

How much effort does it take for a country to become a signatory to a UN declaration? [more inside]
posted by rebekah on Apr 1, 2009 - 4 answers

Do you know anybody who is working/have worked for the United Nations, and what they did to get such jobs? I'm specifically referring to jobs that are mostly non-humanitarian in nature. [more inside]
posted by joewandy on Sep 23, 2008 - 8 answers

Why is there an age limit to take the UN's national competitive recruitment exams? [more inside]
posted by mirepoix on Jul 21, 2008 - 6 answers

Any tips/suggestions/reading lists for someone who needs a crash course regarding the United Nations and International Relations? [more inside]
posted by Duck_Lips on Jul 6, 2007 - 9 answers

Today The Guardian published the group photograph of delegates to the World Summit at the UN. There is a key to who all these smiling faces are which is useful, except two gentlemen are listed simply as 'unidentified'. Would anybody like to take a guess as to who they are? [images inside] [more inside]
posted by feelinglistless on Sep 16, 2005 - 7 answers

The UN Charter still lists "the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics" as one of the permanent Security Council members. How was it decided that Russia alone would replace the USSR, and not some representative of all the ex-USSR nations? Was there a vote? Cause I can't find it.
posted by Pretty_Generic on Jan 20, 2005 - 6 answers

Is the United Nations merely a guide for other nations to follow, or is their an innate burden of power within its charter?
posted by the fire you left me on Apr 9, 2004 - 23 answers