The United Nations Information Centres (UNIC) is an organization founded in 1946 with its headquarters located in New York, USA. Operating globally in 63 countries, these centers serve as conduits for the exchange and dissemination of current events on behalf of the United Nations. Managed by the United Nations' Department of Global Communications within the UN Secretariat, UNICs play a crucial role in communicating organizational challenges. The Department of Global Communications reviews and approves all development projects, primarily focused on thematic promotional campaigns addressing UN-related issues, which are then disseminated through regional information centers.[2]
History
Established in 1946 by the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), the United Nations Information Centres (UNICs) operate with the primary mission of facilitating collaboration and information exchange for the global community. DGC, an organization dedicated to serving the people of the United Nations, oversees the functioning of UNICs. The initial establishment saw the creation of the first two UN Information Centers in 1946, and since then, these centers have expanded their reach to encompass 63 countries. Serving as central hubs, UNICs play a pivotal role in disseminating information about the United Nations system to the countries in which they are located.[3][4]
Scope
United Nations Information Centres have been established in the regions of Europe, Americas, UAE, Asia & Pacific, and Africa. These centres are organized to reduce the communication gaps by providing information of United Nations to the people of the world. To make it more communicable all information have been translated and presented respectively in their regional languages. These centres are otherwise called United Nations Regional Information Centres and responsible for connecting United Nations with the people of developing countries. They reach out media, institutions with coordinating the UN system and get allianced with Government, Non-government, and private sector organizations in their projects. UNICs also maintain physical & digital resources of information like libraries and electronic information medium.[5]
Activities
UNICs are engaged in multiple cores of activities for sharing the latest information about UN system.[6]
- Communication - UNICs follow communication strategies through the current affairs, traditional festivals, and events. They get information translated into regional languages of the countries they serve.
- Media Outreach - United Nations get connected with national & regional media houses to circulate information. These centres use press conference, print media, electronic and digital medium to collaborate information.
- Information Resource Development - These centres create & maintain resources like libraries, and websites through regional information centres. UNICs activities cover training sessions for journalist to keep them update with its development projects. They regularly conduct television and radio for broadcasting stories of UN in regional languages.
- Events Organization - These centres organize many events on international & national celebration days. Besides, they manage to arrange seminars, sports & other competitions in educational institutions.
List of centres
The following are all of the current information centres, as well as all the areas they serve:[7]
African States
American States
Arab States
Asia and Pacific States
Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States
