Introduction to the Introduction to the United NationsUnited Nations

““There is no alternative to the There is no alternative to the United Nations. It is still the United Nations. It is still the last best hope for humanity.”last best hope for humanity.”

-Kofi Annan-Kofi Annan

What’s this?What’s this?

A Brief HistoryA Brief History

Idea came from “Declaration by Idea came from “Declaration by United Nations” 1 January 1942United Nations” 1 January 1942

Charter signed 26 June 1945Charter signed 26 June 1945 50 countries met in San Francisco 50 countries met in San Francisco

1945 (August – October)1945 (August – October) 24 October 1945 charter ratified by 24 October 1945 charter ratified by

China, France, Soviet Union, US, and China, France, Soviet Union, US, and Great BritainGreat Britain

TodayToday

192 member nations 192 member nations Preserve peace through cooperation and Preserve peace through cooperation and

collective securitycollective security Does not make lawsDoes not make laws Works to resolve international conflicts Works to resolve international conflicts

and influence policiesand influence policies Each member has a voice and voteEach member has a voice and vote Official languages – Official languages – Arabic, Chinese, Russian, English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, English, French,

and Spanishand Spanish

CharterCharter

Agreement signed by original 51 members Agreement signed by original 51 members and adopted by all new membersand adopted by all new members

Outlines purposes/structure:Outlines purposes/structure:• Maintain international peace & securityMaintain international peace & security• Develop friendly relations among nationsDevelop friendly relations among nations• Cooperate in solving international problems Cooperate in solving international problems

and promoting respect for human rightsand promoting respect for human rights• Act as a center for harmonizing the actions of Act as a center for harmonizing the actions of

nationsnations

Where’s this?Where’s this?

StructureStructure

Headquarters in Headquarters in NYCNYC

6 main organs:6 main organs:• General AssemblyGeneral Assembly• Security CouncilSecurity Council• Economic & Social Economic & Social

CouncilCouncil• Trusteeship CouncilTrusteeship Council• SecretariatSecretariat• International Court International Court

of Justiceof Justice

What’s this?What’s this?

General AssemblyGeneral Assembly (GA) (GA)

Representatives from each member Representatives from each member nationnation

Similar to parliament in structureSimilar to parliament in structure Major issues require 2/3 majorityMajor issues require 2/3 majority Minor issues require simple majorityMinor issues require simple majority Cannot force action by a stateCannot force action by a state Meets from September to DecemberMeets from September to December

What’s this?What’s this?

Security Council (SC)Security Council (SC)

Maintains international peaceMaintains international peace All member states must adhere to All member states must adhere to

their decisionstheir decisions 15 members15 members

• 5 permanent with veto power5 permanent with veto power• 10 elected by GA every 2 years10 elected by GA every 2 years

Requires 9 “yes” votes; no go if vetoRequires 9 “yes” votes; no go if veto Has power to enforce decisionsHas power to enforce decisions

Who’s this?Who’s this?

SecretariatSecretariat

Led by Secretary-GeneralLed by Secretary-General Administrative responsibilitiesAdministrative responsibilities UN PeacekeepingUN Peacekeeping

What’s this?What’s this?

International Court of JusticeInternational Court of Justice

Often referred to as the World CourtOften referred to as the World Court HQ in The Hague, NetherlandsHQ in The Hague, Netherlands 15 judges elected by GA and SC15 judges elected by GA and SC Decides disputes between nationsDecides disputes between nations

• Participation is voluntaryParticipation is voluntary• If a nation participates, If a nation participates,

they must obey rulingthey must obey ruling

And the last two…And the last two…

Economic and Social Council Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)(ECOSOC)

Coordinates economic and social Coordinates economic and social work of UNwork of UN

Governed by General AssemblyGoverned by General Assembly Fosters cooperation for developmentFosters cooperation for development Works with NGOs (non-governmental Works with NGOs (non-governmental

organizations)organizations) 54 members elected for 3 years by 54 members elected for 3 years by

GAGA

Trusteeship CouncilTrusteeship Council Provides supervision for Provides supervision for TrustTrust TerritoriesTerritories (not yet members), getting (not yet members), getting them ready for membershipthem ready for membership

At this time there are no trust territoriesAt this time there are no trust territories Will reconvene if necessary (5 Will reconvene if necessary (5

permanent members of SC)permanent members of SC)

Many other bodies, Many other bodies, organizations, committees, etc., organizations, committees, etc.,

such as...such as...

UN Human Rights CouncilUN Human Rights Council

47 Members elected to 3 year 47 Members elected to 3 year terms by the GAterms by the GA

The main UN Forum for issues The main UN Forum for issues concerning Human Rightsconcerning Human Rights

Makes recommendations to the Makes recommendations to the GA on potential international laws GA on potential international laws that should be created pertaining that should be created pertaining to the field of Human Rightsto the field of Human Rights

UN High Commission on Refugees UN High Commission on Refugees Established on December 14, 1950 by GAEstablished on December 14, 1950 by GA Responsible for leading and coordinating Responsible for leading and coordinating

international action to respond/solve international action to respond/solve refugee problems refugee problems

Protecting the right for a person to seek Protecting the right for a person to seek asylumasylum

Safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of Safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of refugees refugees

It is estimated that the Agency has helped It is estimated that the Agency has helped 50 million people restart their lives in the 50 million people restart their lives in the past 5 decades. past 5 decades.