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UNIS Vienna plays a dual role: as UN Information Centre it serves four client countries – Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. By serving as the local voice of the UN in these countries, UNIS Vienna aims to promote an informed understanding of the work and goals of the United Nations, by reaching out to media, government, academia, schools and civil society organizations. Furthermore, UNIS provides public information support and promotional services to the substantive programmes of the United Nations based in Vienna, and as Secretariat to the United Nations Communications Group in Vienna.

UNIS Vienna is part of a 63-strong network of United Nations Information Centres spanning the globe, from Accra to Yaoundé, which are part of the Department of Public Information (DPI). They share a common goal: to help fulfil the substantive purposes of the United Nations by communicating the activities and concerns of the Organization to the public.

Guided Tours

UNIS Vienna runs the guided tours at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) where one of the four United Nations Headquarters – along with New York, Geneva and Nairobi – is located. The gates of the VIC are open to everyone wishing to learn more about the work of the United Nations in Vienna. A Visitors Centre, located at the main entrance to the building, is freely accessible to the public from Monday to Friday, between 08:00 and 18:00 hours. Visitors can take a guided tour through the VIC, to familiarize themselves with the United Nations and the work of the Vienna-based Organizations.

Lectures

The Visitors Service offers lectures by UN staff members on the UN in general and the work of the Vienna-based Organizations. Arrangements for lectures in combination with a guided tour should be made in advance by writing (minimum six weeks prior to the requested date) to: lectures@unvienna.org

Media Accrediation

UNIS Vienna issues annual accreditation to bona-fide representatives of the media who are writing on UN system issues, on the basis of certain criteria. For more information, call (+43-1) 26060 3342 or write to press@unvienna.org. As a journalist accredited to the UN, you will receive access to the Vienna International Centre, the latest information on the happenings in the UN world in Vienna and beyond, invitations to events and press briefings being organized at the VIC and more.

Civil Society Liaison

Over 1,500 civil society organizations with strong information programmes on issues of concern to the UN are associated with the UN Department of Public Information, linking the UN with people around the world. The NGO liaison service of UNIS Vienna maintains a distribution list of approximately 400 local NGO representatives, research institutes, political think tanks and initiatives of civil society. If you are interested in the work of the UN in specific areas, contact us to join the list, or even if you would like to work with UNIS Vienna on specific themes, such as the organization of special United Nations observances (i.e. International Peace Day, Human Rights Day, etc.).

Publications and Information Products

UNIS Vienna produces a wide range of information products on the work of the United Nations and current international issues, including German, Hungarian, Slovak and Slovene language versions of press releases, backgrounders and Secretary-General’s statements, as well as information on the work of the Vienna-based organizations in English and other languages. All publications are available on UNIS website: www.unis.unvienna.org

Library/Reference Assistance

The UNIS library is a rich repository of information from all over the United Nations system. Reference documents, Security Council resolutions, the latest sales publications, the latest UN reports and more are available in the library, along with UN posters and handout material on a variety of subjects. The United Nations Information Service reference library in Vienna is open to visitors, journalists and students (upon prior appointment) and to all UN staff members. A wide range of reference material on all aspects of the United Nations System is available, especially on issues dealt with by the Vienna-based UN organizations dealing with drugs control, crime prevention and outer space affairs. You can also browse through and pick up a wide range of information and promotional material free-of-charge (handouts, reports, posters). The library also offers sales publications in limited quantities free of cost. The UNIS library can also help you to find a UN document. Please use UNIS contact form at: www.unis.unvienna.org/uniscontact_form.html?to=general