Media that Matters

This section includes links to organizations that offer news reports and video modules on humanitarian issues around the world. Update March 2021: We suggest looking over the many different themes for our monthly Global Integration Updates (2015--current).

See also: GI Update October 2016--Global Grids: New Strategies for Staying Informed. In this Update we present a versatile framework (GI Grid) to help you stay updated with core information relevant for your work, understanding of the world, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The framework is organized into two parts: context resources (global, multi-sectoral) and core resources (global, personal emphases). We have included two examples to help guide the creation of your own GI grid. The first example comes from the recent article we did on staying current with global mental health (GMH) knowledge and resources. The second example is an individualized template that you can adjust and fill in according to your interests and involvements

1. World Health Organization, Year in Review 2008 and Year in Review 2007. (brief online photo essays to give you a quick overview of major international health issues; many other helpful updates and resources at the WHO website)

2. IRIN (humanitarian news and analysis, photos, weekly podcasts on special issues, etc; IRIN is part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs--OCHA)

3. MediaStorm (multimedia narratives about many aspects of human life)

4. Independent Lens (introduces new documentaries and dramas made by independent filmmakers who are "taking creative risks and sharing untold stories in unexpected places"; part of the Public Broadcasting Service in the USA)

5. Independent Television Service (ITVS) (many films and documentaries; many of the films from international sources are especially relevant)

6. Reuters Alertnet (current updates, analyses, and resources for humanitarian emergencies)

7. BBC World Service (news reports in 32 languages--and great for language learning too)

8. Global Post (international news from around the world)

9. CBN WorldReach (short video reports on Christian witness via humanitarian assistance)

10. Millennium Development Goals (overview of the eight major humanitarian problems in the world and the United Nations efforts to significantly impact these problems)

12. United Nations web site and webcasts (current and archived reports, videos and live sessions covering the work of the UN; the website is available in six languages. Update: See also the United Nations Year in Review for 2010 (11 minutes)

Note: We especially recommend watching the 11 minute UN Year in Review on the UN webcast site (this video report is located in the "See the Latest" section). This Review summarizes several of the major world events and efforts of the UN in 2010. We think it is also worth watching and discussing with others. As you connect more with the UN, many of the terms and organizations may sound familiar (WHO, Security Council, UNICEF). However almost everyone finds in challenging to tie it all together in a cohesive understanding of how things work and who is responsible for what. The more we have stayed in touch with UN affairs the easier it has been for us to understand the bigger picture and negotiate the "alphabet soup" abbreviations of organizations that are part of the UN system. For a quick overview of the UN visit the wikipedia entry. click here For a helpful read on the history, functioning, and challenges of the United Nations, see: The Parliament of Man: The Past, Present, and Future of the United Nations (2002) by Paul Kennedy.

13. The International Crisis Group (provides independent, non-partisan policy analysis and advice on major world issues.

14. LiveStation (offers connections for free worldwide TV and radio, especially news in different languages, including the BBC)

15. Forum Network ( provides a variety of lecture videos from PBS and NPR)

Etc.!