The United NationsWhat should they do about genocide?

Basics of the United Nations

= An international organization composed of most of the countries of the world; it was founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and economic development.

• Started in the midst of WWII– Collective security

Institutional Basics:

- Security Council- charged with maintaining international peace and security- 15 member countries

5 are permanent (USA, Russia, Great Britain, France, and China)

- General Assembly - each state has one vote

- forum for discussion

- Secretary General- spokesperson of the United Nations- Current secretary general is Ban Ki-Moon

Pause: Talk about these Questions with your neighbor

• When was the United Nations started?

• How many permanent members are on the Security Council?

• Who is the current secretary-general?

Principles of the United Nations

• It is NOT a world government!!!

• Based on two principles– Sovereignty

= state is free to rule its population as it wishes and does not have to seek approval of any higher authority

– Non-Intervention• The UN will not send in peacekeepers into a state they

are invited

“Responsibility to Protect”

= When a state fails to fulfill its responsibilities, it is the international community’s responsibility to intervene *CONFLICT with UN’s principle of non-intervention

• Provides legal and ethical basis for intervention

example: if genocide is occurring in a state

Pause: Talk about these questions with your neighbor

• Is the UN a world government?

• What is sovereignty?

• What is the “responsibility to protect” doctrine

Resources:

• http://www.thefreedictionary.com/United+Nations

• http://www.nesomexico.com/home/news-events/news-archive/2008/february/model-united-nations-in-mexico/image

• http://www.iec-okc.com/portals/0/ProjGalleryImages/united%20nations%20nyc.jpg

• http://www.un.int/iom/UN.jpg• http://ochaonline.un.org/Portals/8/Announce

ments/UN%20Photo%20Mark%20Garten.jpg• http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm

ons/f/f6/UN_member_states_animation.gif• http://www.iansa.org/un/images/dayofpeace

dove.jpg