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Frequently Asked Questions - inclusion

Censorship of information?
Users should be aware that the editors are subject to pressure from some international bodies to suppress certain categories of information.However, no entries have been completely eliminated as a result of such pressure.
Suspect bodies
Some organizations included in the Yearbook are perceived as highly suspect by other bodies, whether because of dubious academic standing, questionable values or as a threat to public order. The editors do not act on such judgements which may be contradicted by others.
Evaluating international organizations and NGOs

The final evaluation of the information presented in the Yearbook must be left to users.

Inclusion of personnel and staff associations of intergovernmental organizations?
We are particularly interested in the staff associations of large, intergovernmental bodies as these associations always have multinational membership and are an unusual form of international cooperation.
Inclusion of religious orders as international organizations?
We are particularly interested in religious orders, since they are really the original "international organizations", many of them having existed centuries before secular nongovernmental organizations started to appear internationally.
What if organizations ask not to be included?
We try hard to resist any request that a description should be suppressed as we are committed to as complete a coverage as is humanly possible.
Inclusion of relatively unimportant organizations?
We do not judge whether some organizations are "more important" than others. As long as they fulfill the criteria for being international as listed elsewhere, they are included in the Yearbook.
Exclusion of particular international organizations?
Unfortunately we are unable to include organizations in the Yearbook which, although very interesting and active, are basically national in scope.
Exclusion of particular subsidiary bodies?
Although these organizations are all listed in our database, and are therefore accessible with a subscription to the Yearbook of International Organizations Online, space constraints do not allow us to publish full details of all subsidiary bodies in the hardcover edition.
Inclusion of non-independent organizations?
In recent years we have been making special efforts to include international activities committees, commissions and sub-groups of organizations, which may come within the remit of their "parent" organization, but which may nevertheless be of interest to many people outside this "parent" body.
Inclusion of particular national organizations and not others?
The Union of International Associations has a mandate from the United Nations to produce a Yearbook of International Organizations, which includes all not-for-profit international organizations known to us, in particular those which are officially recognized by the United Nations or one of its specialized agencies.
Inclusion of non-international organizations?
Such information can only be confusing to users. The Yearbook, although originally covering only international organizations in the traditional sense, has now broadened its scope in order to reflect international activity in a much more general manner.
Zero cost inclusion?
There is absolutely no charge or obligation required from organizations mentioned in the Yearbook of International Organizations, but we do circulate proof descriptions to them every year so that they are able to check the accuracy of the entry and make additions / recommendations to the contents.