2. Encouraging Peace – 2. Encouraging Peace – United NationsUnited Nations

a) Creation of the United Nationsa) Creation of the United Nations

formed in 1945formed in 1945 51 countries including Canada51 countries including Canada Now 192 membersNow 192 members based on idea of collective security - to prevent based on idea of collective security - to prevent

another global conflict.another global conflict. The basic goals of the organization were peace The basic goals of the organization were peace

and social and economic progress. The four and social and economic progress. The four main goals were:main goals were:• Keeping world peace and preventing new warsKeeping world peace and preventing new wars• Encouraging cooperation among nationsEncouraging cooperation among nations• Defending human rights and helping to promote Defending human rights and helping to promote

equalityequality• Improving the standard of living for all nationsImproving the standard of living for all nations

UN – cont’UN – cont’

• condemn the condemn the aggressor through aggressor through speeches and speeches and resolutionsresolutions

• use economic use economic sanctions (urging sanctions (urging members not to trade members not to trade with the aggressor)with the aggressor)

• respond militarily by respond militarily by sending in an armed sending in an armed forceforce

The UN has The UN has three powers it can use three powers it can use against aggressor nations:against aggressor nations:

Canada and the United NationsCanada and the United Nations Canada has been an active Canada has been an active

and committed participant in and committed participant in the United Nations since its the United Nations since its founding in 1945founding in 1945

Individual Canadians have Individual Canadians have played vital roles within the played vital roles within the United Nations, and many of United Nations, and many of the Organization's great the Organization's great accomplishments have had a accomplishments have had a Canadian dimension. Canadian dimension.

Examples include:Examples include:

1948 John Peters Humphrey was the principal 1948 John Peters Humphrey was the principal author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

Canadians & UN – cont’Canadians & UN – cont’• Lester Pearson helped to Lester Pearson helped to

invent the concept of invent the concept of peacekeeping, winning the peacekeeping, winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to resolve the Suez efforts to resolve the Suez Crisis of 1956; Crisis of 1956;

• Maurice Strong chaired both Maurice Strong chaired both the 1972 United Nations the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Conference on the Human Environment, in Stockholm, Environment, in Stockholm, and the 1992 United Nations and the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment Conference on Environment and Development, in Rio de and Development, in Rio de Janeiro, and also served as Janeiro, and also served as founding Executive Director of founding Executive Director of the United Nations the United Nations Environment Programme.Environment Programme.

Pearson

Strong

Canadians & UN – Canadians & UN – cont’cont’

Canadians have occupied key positions Canadians have occupied key positions within the United Nations System, including:within the United Nations System, including:

• the Presidency of the General Assembly the Presidency of the General Assembly (Lester Pearson, in 1952-53) (Lester Pearson, in 1952-53)

• In January 1998, In January 1998, Louise FréchetteLouise Fréchette, was , was appointed the first-ever appointed the first-ever UN Deputy UN Deputy Secretary-GeneralSecretary-General

• On June 1, 2001, UN Secretary-General On June 1, 2001, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed Canadian Kofi Annan appointed Canadian Stephen Stephen Lewis as his Special Envoy for Lewis as his Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in AfricaHIV/AIDS in Africa..

• on July 1, 2004 on July 1, 2004 Madame Justice Louise Madame Justice Louise ArbourArbour became became UN High UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.Commissioner for Human Rights.

Louise Frechette

Louise ArbourLouise Arbour

Reflect & Discuss Reflect & Discuss When and why was the UN established?When and why was the UN established? What are its three basic goals?What are its three basic goals? What are some of the more important What are some of the more important

Canadian contributions to the UN? Canadian contributions to the UN? • Identify these individuals & their connection to Identify these individuals & their connection to

the UN:the UN: Louise ArbourLouise Arbour John HumphreysJohn Humphreys Lester B. PearsonLester B. Pearson

Structure – General AssemblyStructure – General Assembly Forum in which members given a seat and right to Forum in which members given a seat and right to

vote on issues. vote on issues. All UN members are representing in the General All UN members are representing in the General

Assembly. Each state has one vote and a majority Assembly. Each state has one vote and a majority of two-thirds is enough to make a decision. of two-thirds is enough to make a decision.

The assembly discusses The assembly discusses and makes and makes recommendations on recommendations on matters affecting world matters affecting world peace, supervises special peace, supervises special agencies and controls the agencies and controls the budget.budget.

Structure - Structure - The Security CouncilThe Security Council responsible for maintaining peace and security responsible for maintaining peace and security consists of five permanent membersconsists of five permanent members, Britain, France, , Britain, France,

the U.S., Russia and Chinathe U.S., Russia and China (the (the “Big Five“Big Five”), and ten ”), and ten non-permanent members serving two year termsnon-permanent members serving two year terms

Decisions require the consent of nine members, however Decisions require the consent of nine members, however each of the “Big Five” have each of the “Big Five” have veto powerveto power (the right to (the right to reject any decision)reject any decision)

• Veto power has often Veto power has often prevented the UN from prevented the UN from taking decisive action.taking decisive action.

• As the Cold War escalated As the Cold War escalated (up to 1955) veto was used (up to 1955) veto was used 78 times, 75 of them by the 78 times, 75 of them by the Soviet UnionSoviet Union

Security Council – RoleSecurity Council – Role Any UN member (and Any UN member (and

non-members) or the non-members) or the Secretary-General Secretary-General may call a Security may call a Security Council meeting if a Council meeting if a threat to peace exists.threat to peace exists.

When a meeting is When a meeting is

called, those called, those countries directly countries directly involved in the issue involved in the issue under consideration under consideration are invited to take are invited to take part in discussions part in discussions but they may not vote but they may not vote on Council on Council resolutions. resolutions.

Security Security Council – cont’Council – cont’

It takes a 9-member It takes a 9-member majority for a resolution majority for a resolution to be carried, but five to be carried, but five permanent members permanent members have a "veto".have a "veto".

In the event of a In the event of a conflict pitting one or conflict pitting one or more countries against more countries against another, the Council another, the Council can order can order economic economic sanctionssanctions against the against the aggressor, and all other aggressor, and all other UN members are UN members are obliged to comply with obliged to comply with these.these.

Security Council Role – cont’Security Council Role – cont’ If the sanctions fail to stop If the sanctions fail to stop

the aggression, the the aggression, the Security Council Security Council can can authorize member states authorize member states to launch joint military to launch joint military actionaction. . • The Council authorizes The Council authorizes

such operations only as a such operations only as a last resort, when all last resort, when all peaceful means of peaceful means of resolving a dispute have resolving a dispute have failed.failed.

In most cases, the Council In most cases, the Council tries to facilitate a cease-tries to facilitate a cease-fire between the fire between the combatantscombatants. .

Security Council - cont’Security Council - cont’ Once the fighting stops, Once the fighting stops, UN UN

peacekeeping forces may be peacekeeping forces may be sent to keep the two sides sent to keep the two sides apart or to help implement a apart or to help implement a peace accord.peace accord.

the Security Council the Security Council recommends the admission of recommends the admission of new members to the UNnew members to the UN

It also It also makes makes

recommendations on filling recommendations on filling the posts of Secretary-the posts of Secretary-General and of judges on the General and of judges on the International Court of Justice.International Court of Justice.

Canada & Security CouncilCanada & Security Council Canada has six times been elected to the powerful UN Security Canada has six times been elected to the powerful UN Security

Council, serving terms in 1948-49, 1958-59, 1967-68, 1977-78, 1989-Council, serving terms in 1948-49, 1958-59, 1967-68, 1977-78, 1989-90 and in 1999-2000. 90 and in 1999-2000.

During its last tenure on the Council, Canada's priorities revolved During its last tenure on the Council, Canada's priorities revolved around issues of:around issues of:• human security, such as the protection of civilians in armed conflict, human security, such as the protection of civilians in armed conflict, • war-affected children, war-affected children, • conflict prevention, conflict prevention, • peacebuilding, peacebuilding, • mass refugee flows, mass refugee flows, • illicit small arms trafficking, illicit small arms trafficking, • gross human rights abuses, and gross human rights abuses, and • failures of governance and the rule of law. failures of governance and the rule of law.

Canada also played major role in improving the effectiveness of Canada also played major role in improving the effectiveness of sanctions, especially in Africa, and in promoting changes to the sanctions, especially in Africa, and in promoting changes to the Council's working methods intended to improve its transparency and Council's working methods intended to improve its transparency and accountability to UN members.accountability to UN members.

http://archives.cbc.ca/IDCC-1-71-659-3817/conflict_war/diplomacy/

Reflect & DiscussReflect & Discuss What is the General Assembly?What is the General Assembly?

• What is its role and areas of responsibility?What is its role and areas of responsibility?• How many members?How many members?• How are votes taken?How are votes taken?

What is the Security Council?What is the Security Council?• How many members sit on the Council?How many members sit on the Council?• How are votes taken? Who has Veto?How are votes taken? Who has Veto?• What is its role and areas of responsibility?What is its role and areas of responsibility?• How many times has Canada sat on the Council?How many times has Canada sat on the Council?

Structure –Structure –The SecretariatThe Secretariat the the Secretary GeneralSecretary General is is

the chief administrative the chief administrative officer of the UN, and the officer of the UN, and the secretariat is made up of secretariat is made up of thousands of clerks, thousands of clerks, interpreters, translators, interpreters, translators, and technical expertsand technical experts

Current Secretary General Current Secretary General is Ban Ki-Moon of South is Ban Ki-Moon of South KoreaKorea• Was appointed January 1, 2007, Was appointed January 1, 2007,

and will serve until 2011and will serve until 2011

Structure Structure – – The International Court of JusticeThe International Court of Justice

known as the World Court, known as the World Court, and is located in the and is located in the Netherlands and settles Netherlands and settles disputes between nationsdisputes between nations

International War Crimes TribunalsInternational War Crimes Tribunals Due to massive violations of human Due to massive violations of human

rights in former Yugoslavia, the UN rights in former Yugoslavia, the UN Security Council established an Security Council established an International War Crimes Tribunal in International War Crimes Tribunal in 19931993

To try persons accused of war To try persons accused of war crimes in that conflictcrimes in that conflict

1994 – second tribunal set up to 1994 – second tribunal set up to hear cases involving genocide in hear cases involving genocide in RwandaRwanda

1998 – Rwanda Tribunal handed 1998 – Rwanda Tribunal handed down the 1down the 1stst ever verdict by an ever verdict by an international court on the crime of international court on the crime of genocide, as well as the 1genocide, as well as the 1stst ever ever sentencesentencehttp://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2006/03/11/amanpour.serbia.milosevic.obit.cnn?iref=videosearch

Canadian Louise Canadian Louise Arbour was chief Arbour was chief prosecutor of the prosecutor of the

Tribunal from 1996-Tribunal from 1996-1999 – tremendous 1999 – tremendous

honour & responsibility honour & responsibility

International Criminal Court International Criminal Court (ICC)(ICC)

Established in 1998 to punish Established in 1998 to punish mass violations of human rights mass violations of human rights of War Crimes Tribunal(s)of War Crimes Tribunal(s)

120 UN countries voted for the 120 UN countries voted for the establishmentestablishment• USA did not because they did not USA did not because they did not

want their soldiers and leaders to want their soldiers and leaders to be subject to an international courtbe subject to an international court

ICC consists of 18 judges ICC consists of 18 judges elected over a 9 year term, and elected over a 9 year term, and a team of prosecutors and a team of prosecutors and investigatorsinvestigators

ICC has jurisdiction over issues ICC has jurisdiction over issues such as genocide, war crimes, such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes against humanity and aggressionaggression

Reflect & DiscussReflect & Discuss What is the Secretariat?What is the Secretariat? Who is the current Secretary General of the UN?Who is the current Secretary General of the UN? What is the International Court of Justice? (ICJ)What is the International Court of Justice? (ICJ)

• What is its role in international law?What is its role in international law? What is an International War Crimes Tribunal?What is an International War Crimes Tribunal?

• What were the 1What were the 1stst two Tribunals and when & why two Tribunals and when & why were they established?were they established?

What is the International Criminal Court? (ICC)What is the International Criminal Court? (ICC)• When and Why was it established? When and Why was it established? • What is its area of jurisdiction? What is its area of jurisdiction? • Why did the USA not want this Court established?Why did the USA not want this Court established?

UN PeacekeepingUN Peacekeeping The UN has helped millions The UN has helped millions

of people worldwide through of people worldwide through peacekeeping operations, peacekeeping operations, and its social and economic and its social and economic agencies.agencies.

Canada has been a strong Canada has been a strong supporter of the UN; by 1999 supporter of the UN; by 1999 Canadian peacekeepers had Canadian peacekeepers had been involved in every UN been involved in every UN operation since the start of operation since the start of these missions in 1956.these missions in 1956.

Peacekeeping – cont’Peacekeeping – cont’ 1st time 1st time

“peacekeeping” used “peacekeeping” used – in Suez Crisis of – in Suez Crisis of 19561956• Lester B. Pearson’s Lester B. Pearson’s

suggestion – won suggestion – won Nobel Peace Prize for Nobel Peace Prize for this in 1957this in 1957

Initially developed as Initially developed as a means to resolve a means to resolve conflict conflict between between statesstates

Peacekeeping – cont’Peacekeeping – cont’ Achieved by deploying Achieved by deploying

unarmed or lightly armed unarmed or lightly armed military personnel from a military personnel from a number of countries between number of countries between the armed forces of the states the armed forces of the states that were formerly at warthat were formerly at war

In these circumstances – In these circumstances – ceasefire in place and parties ceasefire in place and parties involved agreed to allow UN involved agreed to allow UN forces to be presentforces to be present

Peacekeepers NOT part of the Peacekeepers NOT part of the conflict – they observed the conflict – they observed the ceasefireceasefire

Peacekeeping – Peacekeeping – cont’cont’

With end of Cold war -With end of Cold war -dramatic shift in role of dramatic shift in role of UN peacekeepersUN peacekeepers

a)a) More MissionsMore Missionsb)b) Peacekeeping Peacekeeping WITHIN WITHIN

statesstates Often in civil war Often in civil war

situationssituations Without borders - Without borders -

often no clear area of often no clear area of conflict – fighting conflict – fighting spread out throughout spread out throughout country’s territorycountry’s territory

Cyprus – UN buffer Zone in Blue

Peacekeeping cont’Peacekeeping cont’c)c) More ActorsMore Actors

Now other Now other organizations such as organizations such as NATO have become NATO have become involvedinvolved

d)d) Peace “Making”Peace “Making” Peacekeeping no Peacekeeping no

longer simply standing longer simply standing between 2 armies to between 2 armies to keep the peacekeep the peace

Increasingly a matter of Increasingly a matter of creatingcreating a peace where a peace where none exists none exists

UN - Africa UN - Africa MissionsMissions

Adobe Acrobat Required !

UN peacekeeping missions

UN peacemaking or peace-building in Africa

 

 

Peacekeeping cont’Peacekeeping cont’

Modern peacekeeping involves:Modern peacekeeping involves: Training and restructuring local Training and restructuring local

police forcespolice forces De-miningDe-mining Conducting electionsConducting elections Facilitating the return of refugeesFacilitating the return of refugees Monitoring human rightsMonitoring human rights demobilizing and reintegrating demobilizing and reintegrating

former soldiersformer soldiers Promoting sustainable Promoting sustainable

democracy and economic democracy and economic developmentdevelopment

e)e) Changing Role of PeacekeepersChanging Role of Peacekeepers

Peacekeeping Peacekeeping cont’cont’

f)f) More Diverse SkillsMore Diverse Skills In order to respond to more In order to respond to more

complex situation, complex situation, peacekeepers require a more peacekeepers require a more diverse set of skills – experts diverse set of skills – experts include:include:

• Regional & municipal Regional & municipal administratorsadministrators

• Judges and prosecutors to Judges and prosecutors to develop judiciaries or run courtsdevelop judiciaries or run courts

• Media, health, tax, and social Media, health, tax, and social policy advisorspolicy advisors

• Child protection expertsChild protection experts• Security expertsSecurity experts• Facilitators and mediatorsFacilitators and mediators• Experts to help with sewage Experts to help with sewage

treatment plants or railwaystreatment plants or railways

Peacekeeping cont’Peacekeeping cont’

Armed intervention with Armed intervention with the intention of the intention of protecting human rights protecting human rights within the confines of within the confines of another sovereign stateanother sovereign state

Much debate re: the Much debate re: the legality of intervening legality of intervening without consent in the without consent in the affairs of sovereign affairs of sovereign states (sovereign – free states (sovereign – free from external control)from external control)

If state sovereignty not If state sovereignty not protected – could be protected – could be seen as imperialismseen as imperialism

g)g) Humanitarian InterventionsHumanitarian Interventions

However: important not to However: important not to have human rights violations have human rights violations and crimes against humanityand crimes against humanity

Reflect & DiscussReflect & Discuss When did “peacekeeping” being and why?When did “peacekeeping” being and why? What was the main purpose of What was the main purpose of

peacekeeping when it 1peacekeeping when it 1stst began? began? How did peacekeeping change after the How did peacekeeping change after the

Cold War? (7 ways – explain each a bit)Cold War? (7 ways – explain each a bit)

Humanitarian Agencies of the UN Humanitarian Agencies of the UN

The UN created various The UN created various agencies to achieve goals agencies to achieve goals of abolishing disease and of abolishing disease and famine and protecting famine and protecting human rights.human rights.

1. The World Health 1. The World Health OrganizationOrganization (WHO) (WHO)• acts as a coordinating acts as a coordinating

authority on international authority on international public health public health

2. UNICEF2. UNICEF UNICEF UNICEF (United (United

Nations Children’s Nations Children’s Fund)Fund)

works for the long-term works for the long-term survival, protection and survival, protection and development of development of children. children.

Its programmes focus Its programmes focus on immunization, on immunization, primary health care, primary health care, nutrition and basic nutrition and basic education. education.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwDy-mEJ3mU&feature=related

3. the 3. the International Labour International Labour OrganizationOrganization (ILO) (ILO)

the UN specialized agency that the UN specialized agency that promotes social justice and promotes social justice and internationally recognized human and internationally recognized human and labour rights. labour rights.

"The primary goal of the ILO today is to promote opportunities "The primary goal of the ILO today is to promote opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in for women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity."conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity."

-Juan Somavia, Director General, ILO-Juan Somavia, Director General, ILO

4. UNESCO4. UNESCO

• UNESCO was formed to create an organization that UNESCO was formed to create an organization that would embody a genuine culture of peace by promoting would embody a genuine culture of peace by promoting collaboration among nations through education, the collaboration among nations through education, the sciences, culture, and communication and informationsciences, culture, and communication and information

Canada’s active membership in UNESCO plays a major Canada’s active membership in UNESCO plays a major role in promoting Canadian values and objectives on the role in promoting Canadian values and objectives on the international stage, reinforcing the ideals of justice, international stage, reinforcing the ideals of justice, equality and human dignity. equality and human dignity.

• United Nations Educational United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Scientific and Cultural OrganizationOrganization (UNESCO) (UNESCO)

5. IMF5. IMF The International The International

Monetary FundMonetary Fund (IMF) was (IMF) was established to established to stabilize the world stabilize the world economy by economy by helping countries helping countries facing debtfacing debt

IMF – cont’IMF – cont’ The International Monetary Fund lends The International Monetary Fund lends money to governments to: money to governments to: • stabilize currencies and stabilize currencies and • maintain order in international financial maintain order in international financial

markets. markets.

However: For many decades, the Fund However: For many decades, the Fund has imposed stringent loan conditions that has imposed stringent loan conditions that often lead to worsening conditions for the often lead to worsening conditions for the majority of citizens in the affected majority of citizens in the affected countries.countries.

Even more than its partner, the World Even more than its partner, the World Bank, the Fund is known for its rigid Bank, the Fund is known for its rigid orthodoxy and its high-handed approach orthodoxy and its high-handed approach to poor countries. to poor countries.

Its performance in the Asian Crisis and in Its performance in the Asian Crisis and in Latin America has led to widespread Latin America has led to widespread criticism and charges that its “medicine criticism and charges that its “medicine was worse than the disease.” was worse than the disease.”

--www.globalpolicy.orgwww.globalpolicy.org/...//.../bwi-wto/imf/index.htmbwi-wto/imf/index.htm

6. UNAIDS6. UNAIDS

The main international advocate for coordinated The main international advocate for coordinated global action on the HIV epidemic global action on the HIV epidemic

mission includes: mission includes: • preventing transmission of HIV, preventing transmission of HIV, • providing care and support for those already living providing care and support for those already living

with HIV, and with HIV, and • reducing the epidemic's impact on communities. reducing the epidemic's impact on communities.

Joint United Nations Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS – Programme on HIV/AIDS – (UNAIDS(UNAIDS))

UNAIDS cont’UNAIDS cont’ On June 1, 2001, UN On June 1, 2001, UN

Secretary-General Kofi Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed Annan appointed Canadian Canadian Stephen Lewis Stephen Lewis as his Special Envoy for as his Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.HIV/AIDS in Africa.

In this role, his mandate is In this role, his mandate is to ensure follow-up to the to ensure follow-up to the April 2001 Africa Summit April 2001 Africa Summit on HIV/AIDS and to the on HIV/AIDS and to the July 2001 United Nations July 2001 United Nations Special Session on Special Session on HIV/AIDS.HIV/AIDS.

Stephen Lewis and Bill Clinton at the XVI International Aids Conference in Toronto, Canada, 15 August 2006.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoMQwBu5FHo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rByYlmYDX3c&feature=related

7. UNHCR7. UNHCR UN High Commissioner for UN High Commissioner for

RefugeesRefugees Assists more than 22 million Assists more than 22 million

refugees and displaced people refugees and displaced people around the worldaround the world

Refugees – people who have left Refugees – people who have left their countries for fear of their countries for fear of persecution (persistent persecution (persistent mistreatment of an mistreatment of an individual/group by another individual/group by another group) based on race, religion, group) based on race, religion, nationality, or political opinionnationality, or political opinion

UNHCR – cont’UNHCR – cont’ Refugee becomes and Refugee becomes and asylum seeker asylum seeker when when

he/she seeks refuge in another countryhe/she seeks refuge in another countryEconomic migrant Economic migrant – person who has – person who has left his/her home left his/her home because of poverty because of poverty (not persecution), (not persecution), and therefore seeks and therefore seeks to move to a new to move to a new country for better country for better economic economic opportunitiesopportunities

UNHCR camp in Afghanistan

Refugees in CanadaRefugees in Canada 2001 – Canada admitted almost 28,000 refugees – but 2001 – Canada admitted almost 28,000 refugees – but

45,000 refugee claims were made45,000 refugee claims were made Leading countries of origin:Leading countries of origin:

• HungaryHungary• PakistanPakistan• Sri LankaSri Lanka• ZimbabweZimbabwe• ChinaChina

Countries with Countries with highest approval rates:highest approval rates:• AfghanistanAfghanistan• SomaliaSomalia• ColumbiaColumbia

Reflect & DiscussReflect & Discuss For all of the following UN Agencies, spell out what their initials For all of the following UN Agencies, spell out what their initials

stand for, explain what they are and what their mandates are:stand for, explain what they are and what their mandates are:

1.1. WHOWHO2.2. UNICEFUNICEF3.3. ILOILO4.4. UNESCOUNESCO5.5. IMFIMF6.6. UNAIDSUNAIDS7.7. UNHCRUNHCR