Overview of the United Nations
Sara P. Chavarria
Notes taken from:
United Nations Cyberschoolbus: http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/unintro/unintro.asp
UN Documentation Centre: http://www.un.org/documents/tc.htm
Began: 24 October 1945, when the UN Charter had been ratified by a majority of the original 51 Member States
Purpose: The purpose of the United Nations is to bring all nations of the world together to work for peace and development, based on the principles of justice, human dignity and the well-being of all people. It affords the opportunity for countries to balance global interdependence and national interests when addressing international problems.
Members: There are currently 191 Members
Where do they meet? General Assembly
How many votes per country? Each country, large or small, rich or poor, has a single vote; however, none of the decisions taken by the Assembly are binding. Nevertheless, the Assembly's decisions become resolutions that carry the weight of world governmental opinion.
What is the official language of the UN? It has Six official languages which are used at the United Nations - Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
Where is the UN headquarters: In New York City on international land. There is also a European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Aims of the United Nations are:
· To keep peace throughout the world.
· To develop friendly relations between nations.
· To work together to help people live better lives, to eliminate poverty, disease and illiteracy in the world, to stop environmental destruction and to encourage respect for each other's rights and freedoms.
· To be a center for helping nations achieve these aims
The Principles of the United Nation are:
· All Member States have sovereign equality.
· All Member States must obey the Charter.
· Countries must try to settle their differences by peaceful means.
· Countries must avoid using force or threatening to use force.
· The UN may not interfere in the domestic affairs of any country.
· Countries should try to assist the United Nations.
What are the parts that make up the UN?
1. General Assembly – made up of every country and their single vote
2. Security Council – Created from the five victors of WWII as permanent members plus ten other countries serving two year terms. The five permanent members - China, France, the UK, the USSR, and the US also have veto power, which means that decisions taken by the Security Council can be blocked by any of the five permanent members.
3. Secretariat – Carries out the diverse day-to-day work of the Organization. It manages and administers the programs and policies of the other priniciple organs of the UN. The head is known as the Secretary-General, recommended by the Security Council and serving for 5 years. Duties: Varied and include administering peacekeeping operations to mediating international disputes, surveying economic and social trends and problems, and prepare studies on human rights and sustainable development.
Budget – drawn from some 170 countries.
Staff – about 8,900
4. Economic and Social Council - The aim of achieving conditions of stability and well-being recognized as essential for peaceful relations among nations. Addresses labor, education, health, agriculture, development, and rights. Many sorts of rights, from the right to self-determination, which encouraged the independence of colonized peoples, to general human rights, which aimed to protect individuals, are enshrined in the Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and two Covenants which have become major, standard-setting additions to international law. ECOSOC is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress; identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems; facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
5. Trusteeship council – The task of supervising the administration of Trust Territories placed under the Trusteeship System to promote the advancement of the inhabitants of Trust Territories to self-govern and become independent. The Trusteeship Council is made up of the 5 permanent members of the Security Council. They meet on a need-to-need basis since all Trust Territories have achieved self government and independence.
6. International court of justice - Located in the Peace Palace at The Hague in the country of The Netherlands. The Court has a dual role: to settle in accordance with international law the legal disputes submitted to it by States, and togive advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized international organs and agencies. Composed of 15 elected judges that serve for 9 years.
Achievements of the UN
http://www.un.org/aboutun/achieve.htm