United Nations Presentations Summary

Global IssuesFall Semester

2013Mr. Brennan

History of the United Nations

➲ Why was it formed? To promote world peace and prevent the

tragedies of World Wars I and II from happening again.

➲ When was it formed? October 24, 1945➲ How many countries signed on at its founding? 51 countries representing all populated

continents.

Purpose of the UN

➲ What are the current main goals of the UN? Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty Achieve universal primary education Promote gender equality Reduce child mortality Improve maternal health Combat disease like malaria Protect the environment Global partnerships to promote development➲ All of the above is aimed at Promoting peace and equality.

General Assembly

➲ What is the General Assembly? The UN General Assembly is the only universally representative body of

the five principal organs of the United Nations. ➲ What does it do?

discuss, debate, and make recommendations on a range of subjects pertaining to international peace and security--including disarmament, human rights, international law, and peaceful arbitration between disputing nations.

It elects the non-permanent members of the Security Council and other bodies.

Approves the UN budget--its most concrete role. The Assembly also works with the Security Council to elect the judges of

the International Court of Justice.➲ How many current members are there? 193 (All with one vote – all are equal)

Security Council

➲ What functions does the Security Council have? Ultimate purpose is to maintain peace. It does

through a number of functions such as Use of military intervention Ask members to apply sanctions Regulate armaments Investigate any dispute which would cause international

tensions

Security Council

➲ Who are the permanent members? How many rotating members are there?

China, France, Russia, U.K., U.S.A. There are ten rotating members who serve two year

terms.➲ Describe veto power – Who has it? What is it? Veto power is the ability to reject a decision the

entire S.C. Votes on. Only PERMANENT members have it, and if even just one vetoes the motion will not pass. Ex: 14 of 15 countries vote yes, but France votes no, the motion fails.

Security Council

➲ When and Why was the Security Council formed? It first met on Jan. 17, 1946. It was formed to

address the major weakness of the League of Nations which was that it had no military means to enforce measures.

➲ Why do many countries want the Security Council to be changed?

Veto power gives to much power to the permanent members. World power structure is changing, countries like Japan and Germany

are among the biggest funders of the UN. Belief that permanent members make decisions to protect their own

interests.

ICJ

➲ What is the ICJ? Where is it located? The International Court of Justice is located in The

Hague, Netherlands➲ What is the role of the ICJ? Settle disputes between members of the United

Nations that they have been unable to solve in another fashion.

➲ If countries disagree with the ruling of the ICJ, what options do they have?

There is no other option. Both parties agree to accept the ruling of the ICJ before going to court.

IAEA

➲ What is the IAEA and when was it created? International Atomic Energy Agency was created on

July 29, 1957. ➲ Describe the three missions of the IAEA Peaceful uses: Promoting the peaceful uses of

nuclear energy by its member states, Safeguards: Implementing safeguards to verify that

nuclear energy is not used for military purposes, and Nuclear safety: Promoting high standards for

nuclear safety

UDHR

➲ What is the UDHR? Why was it created? When? Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was created as a response to

the atrocities committed during World War II.➲ Describe the rights guaranteed by the UDHR?

Rights cover numerous topics such as equality, education, slavery,

working conditions, religion, nationality, and torture and imprisonment.➲ Does it have the force of law?

Though not a treaty, it has been ratified by enough countries that it has become a source of international law for member countries.

UNICEF

➲ What is UNICEF? United Nations Children's Fund➲ What does it do? UNICEF tries to ensure children's rights are

maintained. Provides essential support such as educational

supplies, food, and health care to children in areas of great need.

UNIFEM

➲ What is UNIFEM? United Nations Development Fund for Women➲ What does it do? Provides money and technical support to four

goals: Reducing women's poverty and exclusion Ending violence against women Reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS among women and

girls Supporting women's leadership in governance and

post-conflict reconstruction

WFP

➲ What is the WFP? World Food Program➲ What assistance does the WFP provide? Provides Nutritious Food and helps people become

more self-sufficient as per its four goals: Save lives and protect livelihoods in emergencies Support food security and nutrition and (re)build livelihoods

in fragile settings and following emergencies Reduce risk and enable people, communities and

countries to meet their own food and nutrition needs Reduce under-nutrition

UNHCR

➲ What is it? United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee➲ What is its function? Safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees

around the world As of 2007 over 20 million people fell under its

mandate.

Current Events

➲ You are responsible for being aware of current situations that the UN is involved in (events will vary based on group presentations).

Know an event the Security Council is involved in and how it has acted

Know an event that the IAEA is involved in and how it has acted.

Sources Used

➲ United Nations, Accessed November 10, 2013. www.un.org. ➲ The UN Refugee Agency, Accessed November 10, 2013. www.unhcr.org. ➲ International Atomic Energy Agency, Accessed November 10, 2013. www.iaea.org. ➲ United Nations Security Council, Accessed November 10, 2013. http://www.un.org/en/sc/➲ UNICEF, Accessed November 10, 2013. http://www.unicef.org/. ➲ UN Women, Accessed November 10, 2013. http://www.unwomen.org/. ➲ International Court of Justice, Accessed November 10, 2013. http://www.icj-cij.org/homepage/➲ United Nations World Food Program, Accessed November 10, 2013. http://www.wfp.org/.