The United NationsAn Introduction

In The Beginning…

The United Nations was created at the end of the Second World War, replacing the League of Nations

US President Franklin D Roosevelt was a driving force behind the creation of the United Nations

The name “United Nations” was used by Roosevelt to describe the alliance fighting the Axis powers in World War 2

In The Beginning Continued

- The United Nations was created when the United Nations Charter was

signed in 1945.

-The Signed originally by 51 nations

-Now there are 192 Member States

The CharterWE 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,

What The U.N Was Supposed To Be Used For

All members were to settle their disputes peacefully

Members were to refrain from the threat of force, or the use of force against other member states

The Security Council, not individual countries, was to decide whether military force is to be used.

Countries were supposed to keep a certain proportion of their armed forces for use by the United Nations

General Assembly

Main deliberative forum of the UN Has 192 members, every one gets a equal

vote They vote on “recommendations”,It is not bidding.

The Secretariat

The UN administration Secretary General is the leader of the UN, appointed

by the General Assembly and approved by the Security Council for a five-year renewable term

Workers include interpreters, translators, lawyers, engineers and editors

Workers carry out the day-to-day work of the UN all over the world

The International Court of Justice

Judicial organ of the UN Hears cases between countries Two main functions:

– Settles conflicts between member nations – Advises other international organizations on appropriate policy

Located in The Hague, The Netherlands (only body not located in New York)

Economic and Social Council

Balances environmental and social concerns with the need for economic development

Addresses economic concerns such as trade, transportation, technology, and communications

Addresses social concerns such as rights of children, discrimination, crime, education and healthcare

The Security Council

15 members; 5 permanent; 10 elected by General Assembly on regional basis for 2-year terms

Only assembly that requires members to act. Investigates and settles arguments with or

without military action. Five permanent members – US, UK, China,

France and Russia which all have veto power.

What The Council Does

If the Security Council decides there is a threat to international peace it normally begins by calling for negotiations to resolve the problem

The UN Secretary General or his representative talks to the countries involved and urges them to settle the problem

If That Doesn’t Work

Can impose diplomatic and economic sanctions

Air and sea blockades If there is still no progress the Security

Council can authorize military action

Problems With The Security Council

Veto power: the UN can only take serious action when all of the Security Council agrees.

When one or other great power has been involved, the UN has been powerless- i.e. Hungary in 1956 and Vietnam

The exception was Korea in 1950.

Peacekeeping

These operations usually come into effect once a war is over They monitor ceasefires, and help to maintain a buffer

between the warring parties The peacekeepers are there at the request of the warring

parties Their main role is to calm things and build confidence

among the warring parties Soldiers from different countries are assigned to the UN, and

are responsible to the United Nations, not their own countries

Peacekeeping Continued

The UN has no military force of its own, and is dependent on other countries to provide military forces

The UN Charter requires countries to maintain a certain part of their forces for the use of the UN. This has never been done

Instead of representing the world, the UN is often pushed into becoming an instrument of its most powerful members