New On The International Scene

Have you ever searched for global data, only to find yourself overwhelmed with the wealth of information available? The Blume Library may have a solution for you, with two recent additions to the International Relations subject database.

Launched by the United Nations Statistics Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UNdata delivers a single entry point for locating and accessing an impressive array of statistical resources. Currently consisting of 17 databases, with more additions on the way, UNdata searches over 55 million records pooled by UN agencies and similar international organizations from the past 60 years.

Topics range from agriculture, employment, and industry to education, health, and tourism. Users can search by keyword, browse individual databases, or even view popular searches from other users. Bonus features include country profiles that summarize key social and economic statistics, accessorized with color maps; a wiki with links to in-depth information about UNdata’s sources; an extensive glossary of commonly-used terms; and an Explorer tab for locating data sources and displaying statistical reports in table formats. Highly recommended by the most recent issue of Choice Reviews, this powerful tool is intended not only for analysts and decision-makers but also for students in a variety of disciplines who share a common interest in global statistics.

International Security Resources targets the information overload issue with a similar solution, by compiling international resources in a central location. Edited by Richard Horowitz, Esq., this collection of resources may be browsed by topic or tool, though a keyword search may be the most practical tactic for sifting through the wide assortment of links for useful tidbits. Topics include arms control, human rights, money laundering, and weapons of mass destruction, while the featured tools consist of databases, search engines, libraries, and media. Whether you’re tracking down the latest counterterrorism reports, locating international bloggers, or challenging your investigative knowledge with a 38-question quiz, indulge your curiosity by checking out International Security Resources.

Both International Relations resources are freely available through the Blume Library’s Databases Listed By Subject.