Spotlighting Issues
As conflicts change, how does UN peacekeeping adapt to new challenges? Why are the Sustainable Development Goals important? What does the UN do to promote human rights and gender equality?
Addressing these and a range of other questions is among the key tasks of the Department, which also provides support to thematic campaigns, special observances, conferences and events.
Peace Operations and Political Affairs
The Department of Global Communications works closely with the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), the Department of Operational Support (DOS) and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) on communications-related projects, high-level events, guidance and messaging. Major products include the United Nations Peacekeeping website and support for global thematic campaigns.
Climate Change and Sustainable Development
We work closely with various UN offices on a wide array of activities and events focusing on protection of the environment, sustainable development issues, including the Sustainable Development Goals, climate action, health (HIV/AIDS, malaria, pandemic influenza), and gender equality.
Palestine, Decolonization and Human Rights
As part of the special information programme on the question of Palestine, the Department organizes the annual International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East. Our training programme for young Palestinian journalists aims to provide hands-on skills training as well as access to UN officials and diplomats.
We work to raise awareness and strengthen support for the UN’s work on human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and decolonization. We also draw attention to the aspirations and concerns of indigenous peoples, and promote the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024).
The Department runs the information and outreach programme on the Rwanda genocide. We mobilize partners on the remembrance of the victims of the Rwanda genocide and educate present and future generations on its lessons to help prevent similar acts in the future.
Social Media
Engage and learn about the UN’s work and global priorities across social media platforms in nine languages.
Special observances – why they matter
The UN calendar features numerous special days, commemorations and observances that are linked to historical events or focus on a particular topic. We use these occasions to help the public and the media around the world learn more about the issues and to promote action.