Many people have a limited understanding of the United Nations, yet form strong opinions about it based on video segments they watch on CNN or accusatory articles they read in print. From corruption to inefficacy, we are constantly informed of the organization’s shortcomings, and the baby-blue and white color scheme doesn’t exactly command respect or convey fortitude. Despite its noble intentions, the UN is often perceived as being mired in the middle of a violent conflict or civil crisis, unable to defend itself let alone keep the peace, and its branding has suffered greatly as a result.

Due to technology, our vast world is becoming a smaller place every day. In fact, cell phones, the Internet, and other technological advances have brought people in closer contact than ever before, and the way we define ourselves, organize, and socialize is changing. Borders are fading as people communicate and group according to shared political and religious beliefs and other common interests. Businesses and companies looking to enter the international market would be wise to look at www.un.org, for the UN site must convey a multitude of frequently debatable information to people from all walks of life, everywhere. Not an easy task.

The UN logo centers the home page, and on each side of it is a listing of links. The left is dedicated to the UN Millennium Development Goals, UN News Centre, About the UN, Main Bodies, Conferences & Events, and other institutional information. The right listing offers informational links on the Secretary-General, Renewing the UN, Civil Society and Business, UN Webcasts, a CyberSchoolBus, and delicately worded “Situation in…” links pertaining to Iraq and the Middle East.

Take some time to click through the UN’s website. It’s full of compelling information that not only reveals much about its goals, employees, infrastructure, and missions, but also about one of mankind’s most thoughtful, and humanly flawed, attempts to organize itself in an effort to confront our greatest challenges. So how do you think the UN is doing?

Go ahead and tell them yourself via email using the Comments section, which is part of a bottom row of serviceable links that include Q&A, Employment, Index, Procurement, etc. information. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind hearing from you. In this shrinking world, you’re practically neighbors. A mere right-click away. Which has, sadly, replaced the helping hand.