4. Working Group on Publicity and Funding

Convenor

Mr. Peder Gammeltoft (Denmark), E-mail: peder.gammeltoft@uib.no

Background

This Working Group was set up following the Sixth UN Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names in 1992. Its aims are to make the activities of UNGEGN more visible and, where appropriate, to seek or help identify funds to support:

  • publication and dissemination of material relevant to the advancement of geographical names standardization;
  • provision of training for the development and management of geographical names administration;
  • establishment of names authorities;
  • participation of delegates in UNGEGN events and activities.
Publications
  • The brochure Consistent Use of Place Names, based on text prepared by UNGEGN, was published in English in Australia (1999) and presented to the 20th session of UNGEGN in 2000. Subsequently, the brochure has been published by the United Nations in six languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) and is available for downloading as a .pdf file at: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/UNGEGN_RCC/UNGEGN/publications.html.

    The text of the brochure may be translated, and the brochure may be reproduced in other languages (but should include a disclaimer stating that the UN is not responsible for the translation). Please contact the UNGEGN Secretariat at E-Mail UNGEGN Secretariat.
  • The UNGEGN Manual for the national standardization of geographical names was published by the United Nations in 2006 (Sales No. E.06.XVII.7). It is organized in two parts, one about organizing a national programme for geographical names standardization and the other providing some selected readings relative to standardization. In 2007, the Manual was published in the other five languages of the United Nations.

    The text of the manual may be translated, and the manual may be reproduced in other languages (but should include a disclaimer stating that the UN is not responsible for the translation). Please contact UNGEGN Secretariat at E-Mail UNGEGN Secretariat.
  • The UNGEGN Technical reference manual for the standardization of geographical names (in English only) was published by the United Nations in 2007 (Sales No. E.07.XVII.5). In three parts, it contains information on Romanization systems, toponymic data transfer standards and formats, and names of countries of the world in abridged form.

    The UNGEGN brochure Geographical names as vital keys for accessing information in our globalized and digital world was published by the United Nations in 2007 and is available in six languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). Its target audience is the national mapping, charting and GIS organizations of developing countries that can benefit from standardized geographical names data as a fundamental element of their national data infrastructure.

    The text of the brochure may be translated, and the brochure may be reproduced in other languages (but should include a disclaimer stating that the UN is not responsible for the translation). Please contact UNGEGN Secretariat at E-Mail UNGEGN Secretariat.
  • A Media Kit has been developed to provide basic information about UNGEGN and useful examples of name changes, spelling difficulties, and confusion, as well as examples of the value of standardized names in humanitarian aid, database searches, etc. The kit, while providing material that can be used throughout the world, will allow individual countries to add their own more specific material of interest to their national media.
Current tasks of the Working Group
  • Ensuring the maintenance and further development of the UNGEGN web site (http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/) and the continuation of the UNGEGN Information Bulletin to provide focal points for disseminating news, information, publications and a network of web links.
  • Determining needs and possible sources of funding in support of UNGEGN, as noted under Background.
Recent working group meetings

Joint meetings have been held with the Working Group on Evaluation and Implementation, most recently in Seoul, 2013 and 2011; in Vancouver, 2010; at the 25th Session of UNGEGN in Nairobi, 2009; in San Francisco, 2008; at the Ninth Conference in New York, 2007; in Honolulu, 2007; at the 23rd Session of UNGEGN in Vienna, 2006; and in Seoul in 2005 and 2003.

Reports of the Working Group