United NationsUnited Nations

An overviewAn overview

The United Nations is . . .The United Nations is . . .

An organization of independent An organization of independent countriescountries

They voluntarily joined togetherThey voluntarily joined together Working for peace and social Working for peace and social

progressprogress Represents all members (194 Represents all members (194

countries to date)countries to date) Formally began in October, 1945Formally began in October, 1945

Ban Ki-moon of South Korea is the eighth Secretary-General of the

United Nations

Some interesting info. . .Some interesting info. . .

The UN building is considered an The UN building is considered an international zone, even though it is international zone, even though it is located in NYClocated in NYC

Official languages at the UN are:Official languages at the UN are:ArabicArabicChineseChineseEnglishEnglishFrenchFrenchRussianRussianSpanishSpanish

Why call it ‘United Nations?’Why call it ‘United Nations?’

This name was suggested by President This name was suggested by President Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. Roosevelt

Due to the painful days of World War II, Due to the painful days of World War II, with millions dying, cities ruined, etc., with millions dying, cities ruined, etc., world leaders felt the need for a global world leaders felt the need for a global organization that would promote peaceorganization that would promote peace

First attempt at such an organization after First attempt at such an organization after World War I failed (League of Nations)World War I failed (League of Nations)

$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$ UN’s Budget UN’s Budget

about $20 billion each year, or about $3 for about $20 billion each year, or about $3 for each of the world's inhabitantseach of the world's inhabitants

this is a very small sum compared to most this is a very small sum compared to most government budgets and it is just a tiny fraction government budgets and it is just a tiny fraction of the world's military spendingof the world's military spending

the UN has faced a debilitating financial crisis the UN has faced a debilitating financial crisis and it has been forced to cut back on important and it has been forced to cut back on important programs in all areasprograms in all areas

Member StatesMember States

““Membership in the United Nations is open Membership in the United Nations is open to all peace-loving states which accept the to all peace-loving states which accept the obligations of the Charter and, in obligations of the Charter and, in judgement of the Organization, are willing judgement of the Organization, are willing and able to carry out these obligations.and able to carry out these obligations.

The admission of any Such state to the The admission of any Such state to the

membership in the United Nations will be membership in the United Nations will be effected by the decision of the General effected by the decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.”the Security Council.”

Charter of the United NationsPreamble

• WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED

• to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and

• to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and

• to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and

• to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Preamble cont.

• AND FOR THESE ENDS• to practice tolerance and live together in peace with

one another as good neighbours, and • to unite our strength to maintain international

peace and security, and • to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the

institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and

• to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,

Organization of the UNOrganization of the UN There are six Principal organs of the United There are six Principal organs of the United

Nations:Nations:--General AssemblyGeneral Assembly--Security CouncilSecurity Council-Economic and Social Council-Economic and Social Council-Trusteeship Council-Trusteeship Council--International Court of JusticeInternational Court of Justice-Secretariat-Secretariat

There are 15 agencies and several programs There are 15 agencies and several programs

General AssemblyGeneral Assembly the main deliberative organ of the United the main deliberative organ of the United

NationsNations composed of representatives of all composed of representatives of all

member states, each of which has one member states, each of which has one votevote

decisions on important questions, such as decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission of those on peace and security, admission of new members and budgetary matters, new members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majorityrequire a two-thirds majority

decisions on other questions are by simple decisions on other questions are by simple majoritymajority

Security CouncilSecurity Council

Only deals with questions of peace Only deals with questions of peace and securityand security

15 members are on the Security 15 members are on the Security CouncilCouncil

5 members are permanent5 members are permanent 10 members are non-permanent and 10 members are non-permanent and

are elected by the General Assembly are elected by the General Assembly for 2-year terms (attempt at for 2-year terms (attempt at geographical representation is madegeographical representation is made

Security CouncilSecurity Council

The 5 permanent members are . . .The 5 permanent members are . . . Does not hold regular meetings; can be Does not hold regular meetings; can be

called to meet on short noticecalled to meet on short notice 15 members take turns at being President 15 members take turns at being President

of the Council for a month at a timeof the Council for a month at a time To pass an important resolution, 9 To pass an important resolution, 9

members must vote ‘yes’members must vote ‘yes’ If any of the 5 permanent members votes If any of the 5 permanent members votes

‘no’ (veto), then the resolution doesn’t ‘no’ (veto), then the resolution doesn’t passpass

Is it fair that only five major powers Is it fair that only five major powers have the right to veto?have the right to veto?

Many countries have suggested the Many countries have suggested the need to reform and expand the need to reform and expand the Security CouncilSecurity Council

How to go about reform is a matter How to go about reform is a matter of contention stillof contention still

International Court of JusticeInternational Court of Justice

Hands down legal judgementsHands down legal judgements Only countries, not individuals, can take a Only countries, not individuals, can take a

case to the courtcase to the court If a country agrees to let the court hear a If a country agrees to let the court hear a

case, then it must promise to abide by the case, then it must promise to abide by the court’s decisioncourt’s decision

Located in the Hague, NetherlandsLocated in the Hague, Netherlands 15 judges are elected by the General 15 judges are elected by the General

Assembly and Security Council, 9 judges Assembly and Security Council, 9 judges have to agree for a decision to be finalhave to agree for a decision to be final

UN Agencies/ProgramsUN Agencies/Programs

UNICEF – United Nations Children’s UNICEF – United Nations Children’s FundFund

UNESCO – United Nations UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Educational, Scientific and Cultural OrganizationOrganization

WHO – World Health OrganizationWHO – World Health Organization And many more . . .And many more . . .

MDGs . . .MDGs . . .

The eight Millennium Development The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which range from Goals (MDGs) – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading countries and all the world’s leading development institutions. development institutions.