United Nations

What is the United Nations?

• The UN is an international organization of countries set up to promote international peace, security, and cooperation

• 192 countries are members of the UN– Any “peace-loving” nation can become a member

Promote = Encourage or support,

History of the United Nations

• Established in 1945 as a response to WWII• Replaced the League of Nations in order to

help maintain peace worldwide• There were 51 founding countries

Established = created, founded, startedMaintain = keep, support, preserveFounding country = country involved in the beginning of the UN

What does the UN do?

• Helps to resolve international conflicts• Promotes respect for human rights• Helps propose solutions to global issues

(hunger, education, gender rights…)

What does the UN NOT do

• Create laws• The UN does not have an army. When there is

a need for a military the member states contribute armed forces.

Structure of the United Nations

• General Assembly• Security Council• Economic and Social Council• Trusteeship Council• International Court of Justice• Secretariat

General Assembly

• All UN Member states are part of the General Assembly

• Each state has one vote• The assembly cannot force action by the state

but it can give recommendations• 2000-Millennium Declaration

Structure of the United Nations

• General Assembly• Security Council• Economic and Social Council• Trusteeship Council• International Court of Justice• Secretariat

Security Council

• Maintain international peace and security• There are 15 council members including

permanent members (USA, China, France, UK, Russia)

• The decisions of the council are legally binding

Structure of the United Nations

• General Assembly• Security Council• Economic and Social Council• Trusteeship Council• International Court of Justice• Secretariat

Economic and Social Council

• Coordinates the economic and social work of the UN and UN organizations

• Works with NGOs • 54 member states

Structure of the United Nations

• General Assembly• Security Council• Economic and Social Council• Trusteeship Council• International Court of Justice• Secretariat

The Trusteeship Council

• Created to provide supervision for 11 Trust Territories

• Prepared 11 territories for self-government or independence

Structure of the United Nations

• General Assembly• Security Council• Economic and Social Council• Trusteeship Council• International Court of Justice• Secretariat

The International Court of Justice

• Known as World Court• 15 elected judges that do not represent

countries

Structure of the United Nations

• General Assembly• Security Council• Economic and Social Council• Trusteeship Council• International Court of Justice• Secretariat

The Secretariat

• Staff of 8,900 people works on every day needs of the UN

• Secretary-General is elected for a 5-year-term– Ban Ki-Moon (South Korea)

“At the UN, all the Member States; large and small, rich and poor, with differing political views and social systems; have a voice and a vote in this process”