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The Commons

The Knowledge & Learning Commons is the Library & Archives’ space dedicated to knowledge sharing and exchange on issues of multilateralism.

The Commons draws upon the diverse range of resources of the Library & Archives on the history and current state of international cooperation for peace, rights and well-being. We bring you a range of events, discussions, podcasts and interviews, online resource guides and more.

Latest blogs

This image shows two diplomats at an event at the UN Library & Archives Geneva, seated and looking at a TV screen featuring the word "Welcome" in several languages.

Celebrating Languages, Enriching Research: International Mother Language Day 2025

Linguistic diversity is essential for preserving and sharing knowledge, supporting multilateral diplomacy, and ensuring inclusive research. On this International Mother Language Day, celebrated each year on 21 February, we’re joining in efforts to highlight why languages matter for our world, and sharing how you can access our resources in many languages.

Past Events

This image shows a meeting of the Intellectual Cooperation Commission in 1922. Credit: UN Archives Geneva.

UN Historical Series Book Launch Event: Intellectual Cooperation at the League of Nations - Shaping Cultural and Political Relations

The latest publication in the UN Library & Archives Geneva UN Historical Series, Intellectual Cooperation at the League of Nations: Shaping Cultural and Political Relations, will be released in December 2025. Join us on Friday 5 December for an event that will introduce key themes and findings from the book, highlighting the latest historical research on questions that remain relevant today.
This image shows a laptop with the UN logo behind it. The background colour is red, and the title says "Discovering Multilateralism"

Exploring Multilateralism with the Egyptian Institute for Diplomatic Studies (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt)

On 25 November, we were delighted to welcome young diplomats from the Egyptian Institute for Diplomatic Studies, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Egypt, for an exploration into how to access primary sources on multilateralism at the UN Library & Archives Geneva.

Explore Resources

This image shows the speaker of this episode Dr. Rachel Adams, and the title of the episode: AI Empire or Global Commons? Why Inclusive Governance Matters.

AI x Multilateralism - AI Empire or Global Commons? - Dr Rachel Adams

Introducing AI x Multilateralism, a playlist of conversations recorded at The Commons, where experts help us unpack the many ideas and questions at the intersection of AI and international cooperation. In this episode, we speak with Dr Rachel Adams, founder and CEO of the Global Centre on AI Governance and author of The New Empire of AI: The Future of Global Inequality. She explains why research and policy led by Africa and the Global South are essential for equitable AI governance, grounded in the realities of people around the world.
This image shows the title "AI x Multilateralism" and the text: "Negotiating the Future: Why Diplomats Must Understand AI", as well as an image of the guest speaker, Dr. Jérôme Duberry.

AI x Multilateralism - Why Diplomats Must Understand AI - Dr. Jérôme Duberry

This is AI x Multilateralism, a playlist of conversations at the Commons, where experts who help us unpack the many ideas and issues at the nexus of AI and international cooperation. In this episode, we ask the question: what does it mean to be AI literate, especially for the world’s diplomats leading negotiations on behalf of their countries? We’re joined by Dr. Jérôme Duberry from the Geneva Graduate Institute.
This image shows the title "AI x Multilateralism" and the text: "When AI Speaks for Nations: The Ethics of AI in Multilateral Deliberations", as well as an image of the guest speaker, Eleonore Fournier-Tombs.

AI x Multilateralism - When AI Speaks for Nations - Eleonore Fournier-Tombs

Welcome to is AI x Multilateralism, a playlist of conversations at the Commons where experts help us unpack the many ideas and issues at the nexus of AI and international cooperation. In this episode we're asking the question: is it ethical to use AI in multilateral deliberations? We’re joined by Eleonore Fournier-Tombs, Head of Anticipatory Action and Innovation at the UNU-CPR.

About the commons 

Find out more about our mission and what we do at the Commons.

Francesco Pissano speaking
About Us

The Library & Archives launched the Commons in 2019 as a space for sharing knowledge on multilateralism.

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Participants at an event
What we do

The Commons provides a space to engage, exchange and learn through a range of in-person and online sessions, digital products and more.

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Library and Archives - colleague with books
Library & Archives

Since its founding in 1919 as the Library of the League of Nations, the UN Library & Archives Geneva has continued to evolve as a centre of research and international understanding. The Commons is a part of this evolution.Find out more about the Library & Archives.

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