The Relevance and Effectiveness of the United Nations

AIM: Is the United Nations relevant and effective?

1. “On the other hand, the organization is over 60 years old and no longer works as effectively as it once did. Some countries have become more significant in world affairs (such as India). Some have become less significant (such as France). The organization, in short, does not reflect the needs of today’s world.”

1. “The United Nations is the preeminent institution of multilateralism. It provides a forum where sovereign states can come together to share burdens, address common problems, and seize common opportunities."

Relevant/Effective• What does the UN do that is positive, thus

making the organization relevant and effective?

•Maintains peace•Avoids war•Ensure that people don’t suffer from hunger and homelessness.•Helps children •Protects human rights

Francis Lewis Students’ Rights Charter • Make a list of conventions or agreements

for our school Things to consider: • What teachers call you • How property is treated • Shouting at students • How you talk to each other • When you may talk • When your work is marked • When your work is given in • Students appearance • Staff appearance

Decide on the 5 most important conventions or agreements.

• Join with another group and by voting, decide on the 5 conventions you consider to be the most important.

Why might it be difficult to get the conventions followed?

• Would all teachers be prepared to follow the rules?

• What would happen to people who broke the rules?

• Does the UN face similar problems?

Irrelevant/Ineffective• What does the UN do (or not do) that is

negative, thus making the organization irrelevant and ineffective?

•Unequal power •Difficult to enforce sanctions•Not all country’s follow resolutions/conventions•Lack of money/resources/army

Relevance • Relevance means importance. Despite the effectiveness or

ineffectiveness of the UN, it still may or may not be a relevant or important organization.

Debate:Come up with an argument defending your position. Elect 2

team members to be the debaters. Things to consider:-why is your side right.-why is the other side wrong.-examples supporting your side.-examples refuting the other side.

UN Effective/Relevant UN Ineffective/Irrelevant

• •

Write a paragraph that answers the following questions. Graded as quiz.

• Do you think the UN will still be functioning in 50 years? Why or why not?

• Do you foresee an end to the organization or do you think it will adapt over time? Explain your reasoning.