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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, video interviews, online resource guides and more.

Upcoming Events

This is the thumbnail for an online learning session called Discovering Multilateralism. The background is blue, and is overlayed with the UN logo, laptop, and the title Discovering Multilateralism, an Online session by the UN Library & Archives Geneva.

Discovering Multilateralism: Online presentation on how to access and use primary sources on modern multilateralism by the UN Library & Archives Geneva

*This information session will take place in English. Students from universities in Geneva are invited to join us for an information session on how to access primary sources on multilateralism at the UN Library & Archives Geneva.
This is the thumbnail for an online learning session called Discovering Multilateralism. The background is blue, and is overlayed with the UN logo, laptop, and the title Discovering Multilateralism, an Online session by the UN Library & Archives Geneva.

Discovering Multilateralism: Online presentation on how to access and use primary sources on modern multilateralism by the UN Library & Archives Geneva

*This information session will be held in French. Students from universities in Geneva are invited to join us for an information session on how to access primary sources on multilateralism at the UN Library & Archives Geneva.

Latest blogs

This is a photo of a group of diplomats listening to a presentation on UN Geneva services. This event took place in October 2023.

Why the Commons?

Today, the Commons is our space at the UN Library & Archives Geneva for coming together, whether in-person or online, to learn, debate and exchange on the key issues we should be considering in multilateralism today. But why should we have a Commons?

Past Events

This is the thumbnail image for a HiStories episode - it shows an image of the Geneva Declaration, adopted by the League of Nations Assembly on 26 September 1924, and the text says "A Century of the Rights of the Child"

HiStories - A Century of the Rights of the Child: From the "Geneva Declaration" to the Convention on the Rights of the Child

In this new episode of HiStories, we’re exploring the remarkable history of the rights of the child, as we mark this year the centenary of the adoption of the “Declaration of the Rights of the Child” by the League of Nations Assembly in September 1924.

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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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