Editor: Union of International Associations
Publisher: Brill
Overview
Compiling and disseminating information and data on international organizations has been one of the UIA's core activities since 1907. This vast resource of information is published in the Yearbook of International Organizations - the most comprehensive reference work and information resource on international non-profit organizations and associations worldwide.
The over 65,000 international organizations maintained in our database include Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) and International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs) in 300 countries and territories. Approximately 1,200 new organizations are added each year.
Types of Access
The Yearbook is available in 6 print volumes which may be purchased separately, and as an online database.
Content
The Yearbook includes detailed descriptions of international organizations, and also includes relationships and cross-links with other listed international organizations. In addition, biographical information is provided on principal officers, as well as bibliographical information on the organization's main publications and information services.
Statistics on international organizations are summed up in separate charts, tables and other visual representations, giving an overview of a broad range of organizational data, and making it easy to compare and identify trends.
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If your research needs and information requirements extend beyond the capabilities of the Yearbook, please see our customized solutions.
49th Print Edition 2012 - 2013
Published since 1948
Editor: Union of International Associations
Publisher: Brill
The print edition of the Yearbook of International Organizations provides the most extensive coverage available of over 37,000 international non-profit organizations and associations worldwide.
Yearbook Volumes 1A-1B: Organization Descriptions and Cross-References
ISBN: 978 90 04 23171 9
These volumes include detailed descriptions of over 37,000 not-for-profit international organizations currently active in every field of human endeavour, as well as references to associated organizations, whose goals cross all economic, political and geographical borders. Cross-referenced with volumes 2, 3, 4, and 6. Available in June.
Yearbook Volume 2: Geographical Index - A Country Directory of Secretariats and Memberships
ISBN: 978 90 04 23172 6
Volume 2 allows users to locate organizations by the country in which secretariats or members are located. Listings include names and contact details of organizations with numerical codes referring back to full organization profiles in Volumes 1A and 1B. Available in July.
Yearbook Volume 3: Global Action Networks - A Subject Directory and Index
ISBN: 978 90 04 23173 3
Volume 3 allows readers to locate organizations by subjects. Major subjects are subdivided by region and other international groupings (developing countries, Arab, Commonwealth, IGO, etc). Cross-referenced with Volumes 1 to 3. Available in August.
Yearbook Volume 4: International Organization Bibliography and Resources
ISBN: 978 90 04 23174 0
Volume 4 cites over 46,000 publications and information resources supplied by international organizations, and provides nearly 18,000 research citations under 40 subject headings. Available in September.
Yearbook Volume 5: Statistics, Visualizations and Patterns
ISBN: 978 90 04 23175 7
Volume 5 includes statistics, visual representations of data, and historical statistical summaries and analyses on: Types of organizations; Countries where secretariats are located and where organizations are active; Subject clustering of organizations by type; Current and historical statistics on meetings activity, and more. Available in December.
Yearbook Volume 6: Who's Who in International Organizations
ISBN: 978 90 04 23176 4
Volume 6 includes more than 24,000 biographies of key officers and coordinators of international organizations. Biography profiles include career information, educational background, titles of published works, participation at significant conferences, interests and field of work, honours conferred, nationality, and date and place of birth. Available in December.
Yearbook Set of 6 Volumes
ISBN: 978 90 04 23177 1
All six volumes of the Yearbook of International Organizations are available at a special price for the set.
€2,250.00 / $2,829.00
Yearbook Past Editions
The Yearbook of International Organizations has been published since 1948. Some past editions may still be available for purchase.
Please contact us for prices
15th Online Edition 2013
E-ISSN: 2211-2847
Published continually since 2000
Editor: Union of International Associations
Publisher: Brill
The Yearbook of International Organizations Online (YIOO) provides a comprehensive database of over 65,000 organizations worldwide. The Yearbook Online synthesizes all of the content in the 6 print volumes of the Yearbook into a database with powerful search facilities and functionality. Updated on a regular basis by a dedicated editorial team, the Yearbook Online is an essential resource for anyone needing to do research in this field of reference.
€2,220.00 / $2,970.00
Annual Subscription
Content
- Detailed profiles of over 65,000 organizations
- Approximately 1,200 new entries added each year
- Over 24,000 biographies of key officers of organizations
- Citations of over 50,000 publications
- Statistics on: Types of organizations; Countries where secretariats are located and where organizations are active; Subject clustering of organizations by type; Current and historical statistics on the geographical distribution of meetings, meeting size and associated exhibitions; and more.
Features
- Perform both simple and complex searches
- Available 24/7 via any web browser
- Data export for search results in Excel, Word, and CSV
- Direct access to organizations’ websites and contact information
- Updates approximately every 6 weeks
- Access to a user guide
Comparison Table of Yearbook Online and Print Formats
| Compare | Online | |
|---|---|---|
| Content | ||
| Organization profiles | Over 65,000 | Over 37,000 (Vol 1) |
| Bibliography of publications | ✓ | ✓ (Vol 4) |
| Statistics and visualization | ✓ | ✓ (Vol 5) |
| Biographies of key officers | ✓ | ✓ (Vol 6) |
| Update frequency | Every 6-8 weeks | Once a year |
| Search | ||
| Organization name | ✓ | ✓ (Vol 1) |
| Main office city/country | ✓ | ✓ (Vol 2) |
| Membership country | ✓ | ✓ (Vol 2) |
| Year of foundation | ✓ | |
| Type of organization | ✓ | |
| Subject | ✓ | ✓ (Vol 3) |
| With events in a certain city/country | ✓ | |
| Search based on multiple criteria | ✓ | |
| Subscription | ||
| Period | annual | annual |
| Price | €2,220 | €2,250 |
| Free trial | ✓ | |
The following provides more in-depth information about the Yearbook editorial process and content.
Sources of Information
Compiling information for the Yearbook of International Organizations involves a year-round process of research and editing. Proofs of organization descriptions are sent out by post, email and fax for the organizations themselves to correct. The average response rate is 35%, ensuring highly reliable information. Proofs are supplemented with information from websites, annual reports, newsletters and other documents. Organizations that do not respond to the proofs are followed up with telephone calls, or researched via the Internet.
Editorial Treatment
The editorial intent is not to provide a "judgement" or "definition" of an organization, and priority is normally given to providing a profile in the words of the organization itself. Every effort is made by the editors to check this information against other sources. The information is at no time considered complete, rather it reflects a "work in progress".
Censorship
The editors are occasionally subject to pressure from international bodies to suppress certain categories of information. In some cases, the entry is reworded to respect the concern of the body in question. No entries are eliminated as a result of such pressure.
Print Restrictions
Due to limitations imposed by printing and binding, some types of organizations are not included in the print edition. In such cases, an explanatory comment is given instead of the description (for example: "no longer active"; "meeting series"; "treaty"). All organization descriptions are included in the online version.
Descriptions always include the following information
Organization name
The organization’s name is given in all languages in which it is available. Abbreviations follow the appropriate name. When an organization does not have an official name in English or French, the editors may provide translated versions.
Descriptions may include the following information
Addresses
The main address for correspondence, including telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses when available. Secondary addresses are listed below the main address, and include registered offices, continental regional offices, information offices and addresses for secondary correspondence. The address of the organization’s home page is given, if known.
History
The date and location of founding (or of "establishment" in the case of intergovernmental organizations) are indicated under this heading. Other information on the history and changes in structure or name of the organization is also given.
Aims
Principal objectives are summarized, wherever possible on the basis of the organization’s statutes.
Structure
The key organs and commissions of the organization are enumerated, together with some indication of the frequency of their meetings and of composition of the executive body.
Languages
Official and working languages used by the organization are listed. “Official languages” are normally those specified in the statutes of the organization.
Staff
The number of paid and voluntary staff are given.
Finance
Sources of funding and the annual budget figure are given.
Consultative Status
Where the organization has an officially recognized relationship to a major intergovernmental organization, this is indicated.
IGO Relations
Where the organization has a special relationship to an intergovernmental organization, this is indicated. It should be noted that tenuous links, or links that have not been confirmed by both parties, have been omitted from the printed descriptions, although they are available in the online version.
NGO Relations
Where the organization has a special relationship with international non-governmental organizations, this is indicated. It should be noted that tenuous links, or links that have not been confirmed by both parties, have been omitted from the printed descriptions, although they are available in the online version.
Activities
Under this heading appears a summary of the main activities and programme concerns of each organization. Special emphasis is placed on developmental activities, where relevant.
Events
Listed here are the dates and locations of previous and future periodic meetings or other events. For more details on these events, and for full indexes to them, users are directed to the International Congress Calendar.
Publications
Listed here are the titles of major periodical and non-periodical publications of the organization. Titles are indexed and classified in Volume 4 of the print version, and in the 'Bibliography' tab in the online version.
Information Services
Listed here are the names of libraries, databanks and library and publications consultancy services operated by the organization. Websites of these services are listed with the organization's address. Titles are indexed and classified in Volume 4 of the print version, and in the 'Bibliography' tab in the online version.
Members
Listed here are the types of membership and numbers of members. This may include the list of countries represented or in which members are located, and a list of international and regional organization members, when applicable. These countries are indexed and cross-referenced in Volume 2 of the print version, and are searchable in the online version.
Date
The last line of the description includes the date on which the most recent information has been received. Two forms are used:
- 2011.02.16: the organization checked the description and returned it on that date;
- 2009: the organization has not checked the description since that date, but information has been received in the given year from another reliable source (which may be the organization’s own website).
Old dates, or no date, may be an indication that an organization is becoming inactive.
Introduction
The Yearbook attempts to cover all “international organizations”, according to a broad range of criteria. It therefore includes many bodies that may be perceived as not being fully international, or as not being organizations as such. These bodies are nevertheless included so as to enable users to make their own evaluation in the light of their own criteria.
To assist this evaluation, the editors have developed two sets of codes referred to as Type I and Type II.
Type I
This hierarchical typology may be used to help determine the status or level of "internationality" of an organization.
- Type A: Federations of international organizations
- A principal membership category includes at least three autonomous international bodies
- Type B: Universal membership organizations
- Membership covers at least 60 countries regardless of distribution, or membership covers at least 30 countries and is equitably distributed over several continents
- Type C: Intercontinental membership organizations
- Membership exceeds that of a particular continental region, covers at least 10 countries, and is equitably distributed over at least two continents
- Type D: Regionally defined membership organizations
- Membership and preoccupations restricted to a particular continental or sub-continental region or contiguous group of countries, and covers at least 3 countries or includes at least 3 autonomous international bodies
- Type E: Organizations emanating from places, persons or other bodies
- May include international centres and institutes created by intergovernmental bodies, and joint bodies, regardless of membership
- Type F: Organizations having a special form
- May include foundations, funds, banks, and illegal or unusual bodies
- Type G: Internationally-oriented national organizations
- Includes bilateral bodies, organizations with membership or management structure limited to a single country yet name or activities indicate an international character, and national bodies with formal links (member, funder, partner) with a body of the UN system or other international organization
- Type H: Inactive or dissolved international organizations
- Dissolved or inactive organization previously classified as a Type A, B, C or D
- Type J: Recently reported or proposed international organizations
- Information available is insufficient to enable classification as another Type
- Type K: Subsidiary and internal bodies
- A substantive unit within a complex international organization which has a degree of autonomy
- Type N: National organizations
- Membership or management structure is essentially limited to a single country, yet title or activities make it appear to be international
- Type R: Religious orders, fraternities and secular institutes
- A religious or fraternal order or similar body based on commitment to a set of religious practices. Membership covers at least 3 countries
- Type S: Autonomous conference series
- Not an organization as such but represents a continuing series of international meetings which has a name which could be assumed to refer to an international body
- Type T: Multilateral treaties and agreements
- Not an organization as such but a multilateral treaty, convention, agreement, pact, protocol or covenant signed by at least 3 parties, whether States or intergovernmental organizations.
- Type U: Inactive or dissolved non-conventional bodies
- Dissolved or inactive organization previously classified as a Type other than A, B, C or D
Type II
This typology is used to add a second level of structure to Type I.
b = bilateral intergovernmental organization
c = conference series
d = dissolved, dormant
e = commercial enterprise
f = foundation, fund
g = intergovernmental
j = research institute
n = has become national
p = proposed body
s = information suspect
v = individual membership only
x = no recent information received
y = international organization membership
The Yearbook includes a broad range of non-governmental and inter-governmental international and internationally-oriented organizations, more specifically:
- Federations of international organizations
- Universal membership organizations
- Intercontinental membership organizations
- Regional membership organizations
- Organizations emanating from other bodies, and other subsidiary and internal bodies
- Organizations having a special form, including foundations and funds
- Internationally-oriented national organizations
- Religious orders, fraternities and secular institutes
See Types of Organizations for a detailed explanation.
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a legally constituted organization created by private persons or organizations without participation or representation of any government. The term originated from the United Nations, and is usually used to refer to organizations that are not conventional for-profit business. NGOs can be organized on a local, national or international level (INGO).
See also the Wikipedia article Non-governmental organization
An IGO is an organization composed primarily of sovereign states, or of other intergovernmental organizations. IGOs are established by treaty or other agreement that acts as a charter creating the group. Examples include the United Nations, the World Bank, or the European Union.
See also the Wikipedia article International organization
The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) defines an INGO as "any organization which is not established by inter-governmental agreement" (Resolution 288 (X) 27 February 1950), "including organizations which accept members designated by government authorities, provided that such membership does not interfere with the free expression of views of the organizations" (Resolution 1296 (XLV) of 25 June 1968).
- Name of the organization and usually
- Main and secondary addresses, email and URL
- Details on foundation and history
- Aims, structure, official and working languages used, staff and finances
- Activities and events
- Publications and information services
- Member countries and international organizations which are members
- Consultative status with IGOs, relations with other IGOs and NGOs
- The date when information was last obtained from the organization, or when information from secondary sources was found
- Letter codes designating the type of organization according to the internal UIA classification system. See Types of Organizations for a detailed explanation.
See Contents of Organization Descriptions for a more detailed explanation.
We try hard to resist any request that a description should be suppressed as we are committed to as complete a coverage as is humanly possible. In most cases, the editors resist these pressures, but in cases where the possibility of danger to health and life is suggested, the entry is reworded to respect the concern of the body in question.
Compiling information for the Yearbook involves a year-round process of research and editing. Priority is normally given to information received from the organizations themselves, and every effort is made by the editors to check this information against other sources (official documents, periodicals, websites, telephone calls). Entries are subject to correction by the organizations themselves, as proofs and requests for checking and correction are sent systematically to organizations.
The Yearbook in both print and online versions can be purchased by contacting our publisher, Brill.
You can use the links below to identify public or university libraries in your area. To find out if they have a copy of the Yearbook of International Organizations, check the library's online catalogue or contact the Reference Department. Some libraries maintain copies of past editions of the Yearbook in addition to current editions. Many academic libraries also carry our previous publications which are now out of print, so you can search the catalogues for Union of International Associations / Union des associations internationales as author.
- Worldwide: Brain Track
- Worldwide: Lib-Web-Cats
- Worldwide: Libdex
- Europe: European Library portal
- South Asia: Libraries & Archives in South Asia wiki
- Pacific Islands: Pacific Islands Association of Libraries, Archives and Museums
- Ibero-America: Asociación de Bibliotecas Nacionales de Iberoamérica (ABINIA)
- United Nations Information Centres
- Wikipedia list of library associations
If your local institution or library doesn't have a copy of the Yearbook, you could let the appropriate staff know that you would find having access to it valuable. Libraries are faced with many budgetary constraints and will often base purchasing and service options on community needs. If you would like us to forward printed information on our publications to library staff, individuals or organizations, please contact us.
The Union of International Associations is the editor of the Yearbook of International Organizations.
The following people contributed to the 2012/2013 edition:
| John Ryan Brubaker Nancy Carfrae Christine Chantraine Rachele Dahle Valérie Delpierre Carine Faveere Joel Fischer Tomáš Fülöpp Sylvie Hosselet Martine Jacquemyns |
Frédéric Magin Jacqueline Nebel (Editor Emeritus) Leslie Selvais Marcel Sucaet Régine Toussaint Liesbeth Van Hulle (Editor-in-Chief) Clara Waldrich Judy Wickens Carol Williams Sebastian Weyrauch (computer support) |
Special thanks to:
| Anne-Marie Boutin Mariarosa Cutillo Diane Dillon-Ridgley Marilyn Mehlmann Mike Baker Marc Bontemps Tim Casswellbuya Tarcisio Della Santa |
Bas De Leeuw Jacques de Mévius Ghislain Joseph Roland Mayerl Peter Mettler Bernard Miche Cyril Ritchie |
Some organizations included in the Yearbook of International Organizations are perceived as highly suspect by other bodies, whether because of dubious academic standing, questionable values or as a threat to public order. The editors do not act on such judgements which may be contradicted by others. However, in the case of the very small minority of bodies which seek to mislead through false claims, to defraud or to engage in covert operations, the editors endeavour to juxtapose items of information which draw attention to the questionable aspects of these organizations. The final assessment is left to the user. To avoid confusion, seemingly international organizations which exist only as a public relations activity of an individual are indexed but not described.
It is not the intention of the editors to take a position with regard to the political or diplomatic implications of geographical names or continental groupings used in the Yearbook. The names of countries used may not be the complete official names of those countries. The geographical names used are chosen for the sake of brevity and common usage. Wherever possible, the country (or territory) name preferred by the organization concerned is used, providing this is possible within the limits of standardization required for mailing or statistical purposes.
It is important to note that some organizations insist on the inclusion of territories on the same basis as countries, or on the inclusion of geographical areas that are not recognized – whether under the specified name or indeed as a definable area at all – by other organizations. Giving precedence as much as possible to the organization’s preferences may lead to what appears to be duplication, as one geographical area may, according to some parties, have more than one possible name.
Some geographical names used in this publication may not, strictly speaking, even refer to geographical areas. An example is groups “in exile”, namely a group identifying itself by the name of a sovereign State but not actually present in that State.
Political changes over the years may lead to some questions in an organization’s description. Briefly: countries referred to in an organization’s description retain their old form when referring to a date prior to the change – for example, towns referred to in events prior to 1991 still retain their country as German DR (Democratic Republic) or Germany FR (Federal Republic), while subsequent dates refer simply to Germany.
The final evaluation of the information presented in the Yearbook of International Organizations must be left to users. They may be assisted in this assessment by whether a full description is included, by the amount of information it has been considered useful to include in the description, by the last date on which information has been received, and by the organization type classification.
The Yearbook of International Organizations, although originally covering only international organizations in the traditional sense, has broadened its scope in order to reflect international activity in a much more general manner.
The UIA has a mandate from the United Nations to produce the Yearbook, which includes all non-profit international organizations known to us, in particular those which are officially recognized by the United Nations or one of its specialized agencies. It therefore include national organizations which have been granted consultative status by one of the United Nations agencies or included on the UN Department of Information (DPI) List, coding them as 'internationally-oriented national' bodies.
The organizations the UIA has on record range from major intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations, through scholarly and scientific bodies, to the more subordinate, diffuse or peripheral. Special effort is made to include international activities which, although not organizations, have clearly recognized titles and behaviour, and which are of considerable interest and importance to Yearbook users. These may include free trade zones, projects, programmes, intergovernmental groupings with no fixed secretariat or treaty, etc.
Compiling information for the Yearbook of International Organizations involves a year-round process of research and editing. Proofs of organization descriptions are sent out by post, email and fax for the organizations themselves to correct. The average response rate is 35%, ensuring highly reliable information. Proofs are supplemented with information from websites, annual reports, newsletters and other documents. Organizations that do not respond to the proofs are followed up with telephone calls, or researched via the Internet.
You may have information that you wish to make the UIA aware of, including but not limited to:
- New international organizations
- Conferences and meetings
- Amendments or additions to current profiles
As the editors cannot possibly keep track of all the information available on international organizations however hard they try, any information of this kind is strongly welcomed by contacting us directly.
