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Key Resources for Interns at the United Nations: Library & Archives Quick Guide

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I believe in the power of young people. Peace, economic dynamism, social justice, tolerance – all this and more, depends on tapping into the potential power of youth. Not in some distant future, but today. Right now.

  António Guterres,
UN Secretary-General

UN YOUTH 2023

UN YOUTH 2030 Strategy 

Youth2030 acts as an umbrella framework to guide the entire UN as it steps up its work with and for young people across its three pillars – peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development – in all contexts. It seeks to significantly strengthen the UN’s capacity to engage young people and benefit from their views, insights and ideas. It seeks to ensure the UN’s work on youth issues is pursued in a coordinated, coherent and holistic manner.


The Youth2030 Pulse is a dedicated monthly newsletter for youth, focused on providing a single channel dedicated exclusively to compiling and streamlining youth-relevant updates from across the UN system. The newsletter will include updates on: jobs, opportunities, events, tools, resources, campaigns and news.

 

Life in Geneva

Ville de Genève

AGLAE

List of resources provided by the official portal of the City of Geneva

A platform that brings together 22 residences. Find accommodation options suitable for you by using a search engine which allow for the application of various filters (age, residence type, accessibility, etc.)

LOGETUD

1h par m2 *

Registration portal for accommodation at the University of Geneva, the Cité Universitaire de Genève and the Résidence Universitaire Internationale

A room in exchange for a helping hand: live with a host and offer your help 3-5 hours per week: conversation in a foreign language, computer assistance, housework, shopping, childcare, etc.

* The platform is available for current students only.

La Ciguë

Bourse du logement CAGI

Non-profit participatory and independent cooperative which offers cheap housing for students and interns Housing platform through which you will receive offers corresponding to your criteria, as well as other exclusive offers. CAGI also provides information on researching temporary accommodation solutions

 

UBS

REVOLUT

Leading universal bank in Switzerland

Digital banking service

PostFinance

TWINT

One of Switzerland's leading banks

Switzerland's payment app

 

Transport services & most accurate timetable information

SBB

TPG

Online portal for trains and public transport + App

If you often travel by train, you can purchase a half-fare card. It will give you not only a 50% discount on SBB train tickets, but also  reduction on urban transport

Geneva Public Transport System service

On their website you can buy daily/monthly transport passes, and the mobile app shows stops and timetable for buses, trams, and trolleybuses in the canton of Geneva

 

 

 

SNCF

 

If you plan on traveling to France by train, purchasing tickets through the French railway website may be fairly cheaper than through SBB

 

 

Supermarket discounts and bonus points 

MIGROS Cumulus

Coop Supercard

As a member of these programmes, you can collect valuable points at either Migros or Coop and exchange them to vouchers. If you download the apps on your device, you will also be able to find our about latest reductions and discounts

 

Mobile apps

Too Good To Go

The Fork

A mobile application that connects customers to restaurants and stores that have surplus unsold food: use the app to find shops and restaurants near you, make an order, and save food from going to waste at a low price

Online reservation platform through which you can get discounts on restaurants' menu during certain hours 

 

Other

 

 

La Farce*

 

The association offers distribution of food, with the annual fee of only 20 CHF. Their objective is to act against food insecurity and waste. After completing the registration and receiving your confirmation email, you will be able to pick up food every Thursday (most of the times your package will include a hot meal). You can also volunteer by helping in food distribution, and not pay annual 20 CHF.

*The service subscription is available for Geneva students only, but you can still become a volunteer

 

 

   
International providers
Swiss providers

Lycamobile

Lebara

Salt

Swisscom

Sunrise / Yallo

 

UN Careers

UN Careers website

 

Job search portal

UN HR Portal

 

 

UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP)

 

The UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative for talented, highly qualified professionals to start a career as an international civil servant with the UN Secretariat.

It consists of an entrance examination process and professional development once those successful start their career with the UN.

UN Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme

 

The JPO Programme recruits Junior Professional Officers for the UN Secretariat. JPOs are recruited under bilateral agreements between the UN and donor countries. JPOs are generally nationals of donor countries, however some donors also finance nationals of developing countries.

The main objective of the JPO Programme is to provide young professionals with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of multilateral international cooperation through a learning experience under the supervision of specialists, and to contribute to the advancement and furtherance of their organization’s mandate, particularly with regard to the Sustainable Development Goals / 2030 Agenda.

 

PODCAST ON YOUTH

Cover Art Listen below to our selected Podcast episodes on Youth from the Next Page Podcast of the United Nations Library Geneva 

Our Library is an evolving house of knowledge, specializing in multilateralism and in the work of the United Nations. This podcast aims to share this knowledge through conversations with experts, recordings of events at the Library, and insight shared by our staff. Join us as we work to advance the conversation on multilateralism.

‏‏A Message for You

Meet Jayathma Wickramanayake,
United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth

Future of Multilateralism

FROM THE ADOPTION OF OUR COMMON AGENDA IN 2021...

Following the adoption by Member States of the UN75 Declaration, the Secretary-General issued Our Common Agenda in 2021, with the aim of tackling the obstacles and impediments to the 2030 Agenda, and turbocharging action on the Sustainable Development Goals. It provides practical recommendations to fill gaps in global governance in order to take on emerging challenges, and calls for inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism to better respond and deliver for the people and planet. 


 

...TO THE SUMMIT OF THE FUTURE IN 2024

Having welcomed the submission of Our Common Agenda, the General Assembly passed a resolution in 2022 (A/RES/76/307) to hold The Summit of the Future in 2024, to build upon the SDG Summit in 2023 and breathe new life into the multilateral system so that it can deliver on the promises of the United Nations Charter and the 2030 Agenda. At the Summit, Member States have committed to adopting a Pact for the Future to cement collective agreements and to showcase global solidarity for current and future generations.
 

...WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUNG PEOPLE?

In preparation for the Summit, the Secretary-General is issuing a series of Policy Briefs to provide more detail on certain proposals contained in Our Common Agenda and to support them in their deliberations. One of these Policy Briefs focuses on Meaningful Youth Engagement. Take a read here

Practical Guide at the Palais des Nations

 

Library Access Map

The Library & Archives are located inside the United Nations in Geneva, in Building B of the Palais des Nations. 

Visitors must enter through the Pregny Gate.

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Free Access to Headspace - A Mindfulness and Meditation App

If you're interested in trying out mindfulness, Headspace is a great place to start. And, it's free for UN Secretariat staff members and available in English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese!

The app provides guided meditations, sleep exercises, articles and videos to contribute to your health and happiness. The Staff Counsellor’s Office (Division of Healthcare Management and Occupational Safety and Health) has secured free annual subscriptions for UN Secretariat staff, which have been generously donated by Headspace.


Find out how you can access Headspace.

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