International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) operates worldwide, providing a forum for the exchange of information about the conservation of architecture.

International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) is a worldwide organization that aids the restoration, maintenance, and protection of historical artifacts and artwork.

International Center of Films for Children and Young People -- Centre Internationale des Films pour les Enfants et pour les Jeunes (CIFEJ) promotes quality media for young people. It consists of media and childrens' groups and people in media.

International Music Centre (IMZ) acts as a non-profit information network for music, dance, and media professionals. It also organizes workshops, screenings, and competitions for music and dance productions.

International Theatre Institute (ITI) stimulates knowledge of the performing arts and promotes cooperation among people in theater. It also takes on social issues such as racism.

International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) provides access to agricultural information to developing countries and encourages research and investment in the field.

World Food Programme (WFP) The primary task of the WFP is the distribution of food as aid throughout the world.

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

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) A response to the food crises of the 1970s, IFAD was established to finance projects for food production in developing countries as a means to combat hunger and poverty there.

International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) researches ways to increase agricultural productivity in semi-arid climates in an effort to improve nutrition and well-being in those regions.

Global Crop Protection Federation (GCPF) educates its members and the public about crop protection, its progress, and its role in food security. It promotes the the use of safe, effective pesticides, and puts forth the views of the industry.

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) encourages the improvement of rice production through technology and genetics. Rice is a staple crop in Africa, Latin America, and especially Asia.

International Dairy Federations (FIL-IDF) represents the interests of the diary industry and promotes cooperation, research, and standards in the milk industry.

World Gold Council works to streamline gold trade, regulation, distribution, and promotion. It is a non-profit organization of gold producers worldwide.

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 Fiscal Association (IFA) is a non-governmental organization with thousands of members in 85 countries. It concerns itself particularly with international fiscal law and international taxation.

International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) consists of associations dedicated to establishing an efficient, fair, and stable market, exchanging information and experiences, and promoting a high level of regulation of the market.

Comite Europeen des Assurances (CEA) is a federation of the national insurers of 29 European countries. It represents insurers' views in economic debates.

European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA) is a large network of contacts in the European economic sector. It lobbies for the asset class throughout the world, provides information about investment and capital. It has members in over 30 countries.

International Union for Housing Finance is a non-profit organization that works to make housing credit more affordable worldwide. It also distributes information about housing finance.

International Federation for Housing and Planning (IFHP) stresses communication in the field of planning and housing as a way of improving the housing industry.

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) (World Bank) provides economic assistance to more than 100 countries. It also invests in their economic development by establishing education and health facilities.

International Finance Corporation (IFC) strives to promote economic development in developing countries through the growth of efficient markets.

Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) encourages the flow of foreign direct investment in its developing nation members for economic development. It guarantees the investments against the risks of currency transfer and political unrest.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) promotes international monetary cooperation and financial stability, as well as the growth of international trade. It assists its 182 members through financial advice and through loans.

Latin American Economic System promotes the consultation of strategies and economic policies of Latin America.

European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) promotes quality management education and provides a forum for the distribution of relevant information about management. It consists of companies, training agencies, and expert individuals.

International Council for Adult Education (ICAE) consists of over 100 organizations with the common goal of strengthening adult education.

European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) coordinates about 140 organizations that promote adult education in Europe.

International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) encourages flexible and non-traditional education throughout the world.

Education International (EI) is a worldwide organization with 23 million members. It represents teachers and the the education labor sector worldwide, defends their rights, and gives voice to their views.

International Federation of University Women (IFUW) unites 180,000 female college graduates. It works to improve the status, treatment, and education of females worldwide. It also promotes human rights, justice and peace.

International Reading Association has 90,000 members in about 100 countries, including teachers, psychologists, and librarians. It strives to improve reading instruction and learning.

Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) is an association of organizations that work to protect the environment, promote public health, democracy and justice, and aid development in underdeveloped countries. There are regional members of the FoE that focus on specific areas.

Greenpeace International is a unique organization which works non-violently toward better conditions for the world and its people.

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.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is the world's largest independent conservation organization. It focuses on water, resource, and animal species conservation.

World Conservation Union (IUCN) works with governments, agencies, and experts for the cause of natural conservation.

International Council on Metals and the Environment (ICME) focuses on metals and the environmental and health aspects and risks of mining, production and use of metals.

International Political Science Association (IPSA) promotes the study of political science and establishes a network of political scientists. It also aids exchange of information about political science, conducts research and publishes books and journals.

International Studies Association (ISA) is a widely known scholarly association. It aids research and education about international affairs.

International Peace Academy (IPA) facilitates peaceful conflict resolution and teaches military, diplomatic, and political personnel the skills of making and keeping peace.

UN Peace-Keeping Operations The "blue helmets" of the UN Peacekeepers apply military discipline to attempt to restore and maintain peace in hostile areas. They also provide political and humanitarian aid and arrange negotiations between opposing parties.

North Atlantic Assembly links parliaments and legislators in Europe, the United States, and Russia and aids discussions of political and economic matters. It also meets with NATO and various experts to discuss military and security issues.

Embassy Worldcontains 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.

International Labour Organization (ILO) Created in 1919, the Organization works to adopt international standards which would protect labor from injustice and undue hardship, as well as more universal civil rights protection.

International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Worker's Unions (ICEM) aims to unite workers in many industries worldwide, campaigns for high safety and health standards, and provides information about collective bargaining and other expertise. It strives to counterbalance the massive strength of multinational corporations.

International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, Professional and Technical Employees (FIET) works to unionize the private service sector in strong unions. It provides a forum for comparison of working conditions and bargaining strategies.

Education International (EI) is a worldwide organization with 23 million members. It represents teachers and the the education labor sector worldwide, defends their rights, and gives voice to their views.

International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) promotes the social work profession, represent its opinions in social policy discussions, and defend its rights.

International Association of Medical Lab Technologists (IAMLT) consists of numerous organizations and groups of medical lab technologists. It provides a forum for discussion of the problems of the field, and it encourages raising standards for training of lab technicians.

International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) coordinates international police cooperation among its member states. It collects data on individuals and objects of international police interest, and encourages its members to adopt a uniform approach to combating crime.

International Development Law Institute (IDLI) works to enhance the legal sector in developing countries as a way of improving their economies and governments. It also aims to reform economic, trade, environmental, and human rights laws in the countries.

Law Association for Asia and the Pacific (LAWASIA) unites lawyers, judges, and corporations that have an interest in the Asia-Pacific region and enables them to communicate. It promotes law and legal education, justice, and human rights.

World Jurist Association (WJA) consists of judges, lawyers, and others in law. It strives to further international law influence and effectiveness and encourages the use of law, not force, to solve global problems.

World Health Organization (WHO) is working to help all the world's people attain and maintain the highest possible level of health. It concerns itself with disease, nutrition, housing and working conditions, hygiene, and other prevention and treatment measures.

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an independent organization that aids and safeguards the victims of wars and other crises. It also acts as an impartial intermediary to resolve conflicts.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies pursues various humanitarian causes including emergency care, blood donation, nutrition, sanitation, disaster relief, drug abuse and disease prevention, and refugee care. It also provides information and training on health and welfare issues.

World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) promotes general health by improving public health practice. It brings together health professionals and educators and enables communication and collaboration among them.

International Council for Scientific and Technical Information (ICSTI) specializes in technical information flow in all areas of business, industry, education, and government. It strives to develop effective and efficient methods of information access.

International Union Against Cancer (IUCC) is an association of organizations around the world. It is devoted to the global fight against cancer, including research, treatment, diagnosis, and prevention.

International Diabetes Federation (IDF) consists of associations committed to helping people with diabetes.

International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering consists of groups that share an interest in medical and biological engineering. It encourages research, education, and collaboration in bio-engineering.

International Union for Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) promotes scientific research of the Earth, including studies of its fields and atmospheres, its celestial properties, its relationship to other bodies, its internal structure and external rock and volcanic formations.

International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) is a large organization that promotes geological study and information exchange throughout the world and encourages interest and education in geology.

Association of European Atomic Forums (FORATOM) represents the views of many electric utilities and research centers. It promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy and voices its views in the European Union's discussions.

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.

International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) consists of food scientists and technologists who aid food production, preservation, and distribution.

International Sociological Association (ISA) represents sociologists worldwide, regardless of ideology. It establishes a community of sociologists, encourages the exchange of information, and promotes sociological research.

International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) embraces non-violence even in the face of conflict. It encourages democracy, respect for human beings and acceptance of the differences among them.

Caux Conference Center and Moral Rearmament is dedicated to changing the views and morals of society. It promotes ethics, hope, altruism, acceptance, responsibility, and care within individuals and in their relationships.

Socialist International unites organizations in their goal of establishing democratic socialism and coordinates their activities toward that goal.

Salvation Army, espoused by the Christian Church, provides a wide range of humanitarian and educational social services. Its mission is also to spread the gospel and to recruit disciples.

World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) unites people from over 100 countries to facilitate communication that is free of censorship and that affirms identity and dignity.

Friends World Committee for Consultation promotes interaction among Quakers and knowledge about them. The Friends interact to find ways of perceiving God's word more clearly and exchange other aspects of their lives.

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

Amnesty International campaigns against human rights abuses and educated the public about them. It is non-partisan and it acts against mistreatment and torture of political prisoners, against the death penalty, political killings, and against violations of womens' civil rights .

International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) encourages international solidarity and fights for human rights throughout the world. It promotes personal choice, and freedom of assembly and of self-expression.

Salvation Army, espoused by the Christian Church, provides a wide range of humanitarian and educational social services. Its mission is also to spread the gospel and to recruit disciples.

Population Councilis a research organization that aims to improve the well-being of current and future generations through family planning and research of population trends and policies.

International Federation of Social Workers promotes social work as a profession and allows communication among social workers around the world. It also takes part in forming social policies and protecting the human rights and ethics of social workers.

Moral Rearmament is dedicated to changing the views and morals of society. It promotes ethics, hope, altruism, acceptance, responsibility, and care within individuals and in their relationships.

Lions Clubs International is a large non-political organization that encourages friendship, integrity, understanding, community improvement, good citizenship and good government..

International Association of Football (FIFE) is dedicated to soccer -- the most popular sport in the world. FIFA upholds soccer's reputation, supervises competitions, and establishes uniform rules.

International Basketball Federation (FIBA) promotes basketball and is concerned with its coaching, training, and championships.

International Amateur Swimming Federation (FINA) involves itself with swimming and water sports and their regulations and facilities.

International Judo Federation (IJF) is a promoter of the Japanese sport of judo as well as an official governing body of judo worldwide. It also provides information about the sport.

World Association of Travel Agencies (WATA) is a network of selected travel agencies worldwide who communicate and cooperate. It is committed to ethical, professional standards, and it distributes information and advice about travel.

Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT) is a union of organizations related to tourism. It encourages safe travel, and aids and advises its members about tourism matters.

Tourism Council of the South Pacific provides information about the South Pacific Islands as travel destinations. It gives information about the people, history, nature, and other attractions of each of the nations.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a forum for international cooperation in nuclear science and technology.

International Union for Electricity Applications (UIE) is concerned with electricity, and its efficient and safe applications.

World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO) promotes technological research and its implementation in industry. It gathers technological information and encourages countries' collaboration in research.

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) promotes electrotechnologies including electronics, telecommunications, and magnetics. It also involves itself with the production and distribution of energy, and it strives to make efficient technology safe for people and the environment.

International Gas Union (IOU) is an organization of gas industries worldwide. It promotes the production, distribution, utilization, and progress of the gas industry and also provides information about gas.

International Information Management Congress (IMC) focuses on documents and their exchange, including technologies for their making, editing, sending, and retrieval.

Media and Entertainment International (EMI) concerns itself with mass media and the arts and acts as a forum for discussion of media interests. It provides information about media matters such as technological changes, copyrights, censorship, advertising, and broadcasting employees' concerns.

International Telecommunication Union (TI) is a forum for governments and the public sector to coordinate global telecommunications systems.

World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) unites people from over 100 countries to facilitate communication that is free of censorship and that affirms identity and dignity.

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

Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSV) promotes freedom of the press around the world and vehemently fights against censorship and oppression of journalists. RSV protects journalists, lobbies to free journalists imprisoned for their opinions, and publicizes violations of press freedom.

International Federation of Journalists (IF) defends international press freedom, social justice, and human rights. It unites and supports journalists, and it fights against discrimination, propaganda, censorship, and corruption.

Universal Postal Union (UP) leads the revitalization of the world postal system that improves all people's communication.

European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMESTAT) is responsible for launching and operating meteorological satellites. It stresses the role of satellites in weather and climate forecasting.

International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (AEROBES) involves itself in all aspects of structural engineering and architecture including design, construction, maintenance, and demolition of buildings and bridges.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) encourages standardization -- universally recognized rules, measures, and definitions. Standardization facilitates activity and exchange of information in scientific, economic, and industrial spheres.

World Trade Centers Association (WATCH) consists of world trade centers in over 100 countries. Its purpose is to facilitate international trade by providing information and resources to importers, exporters, businesses and government agencies.

World Trade Organization (TWO) is involved with worldwide rules of trade among nations. It establishes fair and practical policies, promotes free trade, and settles trading disputes.

International Confederation of Free Trade Union (IFC) represents 124 million trade union members and promotes for humane and ethical labor standards around the world. It campaigns for workers' rights, equality, womens' rights, and against child labor.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NIFTIER) works to eliminate trade barriers among North American nations, to encourage investment in the nations, and to promote free market competition.

International Co-Operative Alliance (CIA) is a vast association of over 200 organizations. It represents co-operatives in housing, banking, agriculture, and other industries.

International Advertising Association (IAA) promotes advertising as a driving force behind market economies. It provides information about advertising and gives a forum to marketing issues and debates.

World Federation of Advertisers (WWF) is concerned with advertising, marketing, and communications. It expresses the views of advertisers, promotes free trade, and assists its members.

Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry is a broad organization which represents over 14 million businesses in Europe and Israel. It advises governments on national and local levels, and it services and informs businesses of all sectors.

European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ISOMER) represents market researchers and advertisers form all over the world, and aims to further understanding and application of market research.

Asian Productivity Organization is a non-profit organization that works to promote economic development and increased productivity in the AsiaPacific region.

International Air Transport Association (IAA) represents and serves the air industry. It establishes standards that facilitate air travel and voices the industry's opinion in relevant debates.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) focuses on improving international air travel.

European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) promotes safe and efficient air travel in Europe. It provides training and advice for its members, and encourages quality air service.

European Space Agency (SEA) promotes the exploration of space, including Earth observation, telecommunications, research and development of new technologies, manned fights, gravity research, and satellites.

United Nations Children's Fund (UNIQUE) concerns itself with the protection of children around the world. Promotes international standards for the ethical treatment of youngsters. Responds in emergency situations and offers humanitarian services to the relief of children's suffering.

World Alliance of Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), present in 120 countries, is an organization of young men and women who share a goal of justice, integrity, Christian love, and peace. Addresses social issues such as racism and education and provides recreational services.

David Vassar, Reference Librarian
Fordham University at Lincoln Center