United Nations

The United Nations, founded in 1945, has as its mandate the maintenance of peace and security and the goal of social, economic, educational, and humanitarian development throughout its member states. Currently membership stands at 185 (as of 1997).

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has as its goal the promotion and preservation of dignity inherent in all persons. It hopes to establish a global alliance to uphold human rights.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides protection for displaced and threatened people throughout the world. It also aids their settlement back home or in another country and campaigns for lasting solutions to the refugees' plight.

International Court of Justice is the main judiciary vehicle of the United Nations. Its settles disputes between members and gives advisory opinions posed to it by various organizations.

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), founded in 1946, concerns itself with the protection and ethical treatment of children worldwide, and provides humanitarian services to children victimized by political and environmental crises.

UN Population Fund (UNFPA) aids developing countries by providing family planning services and education about reproduction to those who desire it. It also focuses on women's reproductive rights, and on their education and employment opportunities. It increases awareness of population problems and assists in solving them.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works with 150 governments and over forty international non-government organizations to improve the living conditions of those in developing countries.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) works with governments to promote agriculture, food distribution and nutrition. It eases poverty and hunger in developing nations and encourages cooperation in the world food market.

UN Environment Programme (UNEP) encourages nations to care for the environment and ensure the quality of life of future generations. It also provides a medium for the many separate environmental associations to join efforts in their cause.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has the broad objective of improving the standard of living for all the world's people. Its 186 members collaborate to promote justice and human rights through science, education, and communication.

World Bank

World Health Organization

Embassy World contains links to every embassy in every country. It also gives a wealth of information about each country, and gives contact information for embassies, consulates, and trade missions.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an alliance of 19 North American and European countries which are committed to each other's defense. NATO also aids some non-member nations that come under attack, and attends to peace-keeping and crisis-management.

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) unites 11 major petroleum suppliers and regulates the oil production of its members. It is also concerned about oil prices and taxation, and about oil's impact on the environment.

International Seabed Authority organizes and controls seabed activities that fall outside the property and jurisdiction of any nation.

Asia

Asian Development Bank (ADB) helps promote social and economic progress of the Asian-Pacific region, particularly the less-developed countries. It offers loans, investments, and advice to the nations.

Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) is an association of television and radio networks in the Asia-Pacific area.

Pacific Community works to develop the scientific, technical, and professional capability of the Pacific Island population.

Asia-Pacific Economic Co-Operation (APEC) promotes economic cooperation and progress among Asian and Pacific countries and the Asian-Pacific community as a whole.

Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) is an association of television and radio networks in the Asia-Pacific area.

Europe

European Parliament unites the peoples of Europe through common membership, monetary unit, foreign policy, and defense. It strives for social and economic cooperation among the countries of Europe.

The Council of Europe aims to uphold democracy, human rights, and the law in Europe. It also discusses Europe's social problems, such as intolerance, drugs, and terrorism.

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) offers many protective services to Europe, Asia, and North America, such as defense, conflict prevention, and post-conflict rehabilitation. It also protects civil rights, the environment, the democratic process, and economic security.

European Investment Bank (EIB) is the European Union's financing institution. It raises funds on the market and uses them to fulfill the EU's aims, which include environmental protection, development of infrastructure in Europe, and aid to developing countries.

European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) is a large scientific laboratory which is the center of a vast worldwide community of labs. It specializes in high-energy physics and is credited with the invention of the World Wide Web.

Nordic Council assists cooperation among the governments of the Nordic countries.

Thomas Maintained by the Library of Congress, offering links to all branches of the Federal Government.

State and Local Government on the Net A resource guide to state and local government sites maintained by Piper Resources

The Government of Canada Focuses on Canada, its government and its services. Direct links give access to individual government departments and agencies.

Provincial and Territorial Links Links to the ten provinces and three territories of Canada.

Index to Caribbean Nations includes links to and lots of information about the nation states of the Caribbean.

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) promotes social and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. It finances, invests, and lends funds to businesses and agricultural and industrial projects in the region.

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) promotes international commerce, trade, investment, and the market economy. It also establishes rules for international business, settles disputes between members, and provides other services.