What is the United Nations

• The UN was created in response to WWII after the failure of the League of Nations

• Out of WWII, came a need for a worldwide forum where nations would be able to communicate peacefully

• Today it’s comprised of 191 member nations

The UN Charter

• In 1945, representatives from 50 countries met in San Francisco at the UN Conference on International Organization to draw up the UN Charter

• The UN officially came into existence on October 24, 1945–United Nations Day is now

celebrated on this day.

What is its Function

• Promote international cooperation • Maintain peace and security

throughout the world• Develop friendly relations amongst

nations• Cooperate in solving international

problems• Promote respect for human rights• Be a center for harmonizing the

actions of nations

Organs of the UN

• General Assembly • Security Council• Economic and Social Council• Trusteeship Council• The Secretariat• The International Court of Justice

– Also known as The Hague

General Assembly• “Parliament of Nations”• Each member has one vote• Decision on key issues such

as international peace and security and admitting new members are decided by two-thirds majority

• All other votes are decided by simple majority

• Holds annual sessions from September to December

• If necessary emergency sessions can be called such as during September 11th

• Has six main committees who carry out various tasks when the Assembly is not meeting

Security Council• Fifteen Council

members—five that are permanent– China – France– Russian Federation– United Kingdom– United States

• Other Council members are elected by the General Assembly for two year terms

Economic and Social Council

• Coordinates the economic and social work of the United Nations and the UN family of organizations

• Plays key role in fostering international cooperation for development

• Has 54 members, elected by General Assembly for three-year terms

Trusteeship Council

• Was established to provide international supervision for 11 Trust Territories administered by the member states

• Ensure that adequate steps were taken to prepare the Territories for self-government or independence

The Hague• Known as the

International Court of Justice, or the World Court

• Is the main justice organ of the UN

• Participation by states in a proceeding is voluntary, but if a state agrees to participate, it is obligated to comply with the Court’s decision

The Secretariat• Carries out the

substantive and administrative work of the United Nations as directed by the General Assembly, Security Council, and the other organs.

• At its head is the Secretary-General, who provides overall administrative guidance

• Duty stations include the UN headquarters in New York, as well as Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi, and other locations.

The UN Family

• Consists if 14 independent organizations also known as “specialized agencies” which are linked to the UN through cooperative agreements

• They have wide-ranging international responsibilities in the economic, social, cultural, educational, and health-related fields

• All these organizations have their own governing bodies, budgets, and secretariats.

• Together, they provide technical assistance and other forms of practical help in virtually all economic and social areas