The Role of the United Nations (UN)

United Nations (UN) Established in 1945, it has 192 member nations. The UN is not an international government and it does not make laws. Countries sign to become a member of the UN. They are required to accept the obligations of the UN Charter. It is actually a forum where all member states have the opportunity to voice their opinions and where they can vote on global issues that affect the populations of the world. It provides an opportunity to help resolve international conflicts and formulate policies on matters that effect all people.

Global issues addressed by the UN include: Agriculture Children climate change culture education, Environment family, human rights, international law, least developed countries, population, refugees, social development and sustainable development.

UN’s four key areas of action: International peace and security Human rights Humanitarian action Economic and social development.

International peace and security One of the fundamental aims of the UN is to uphold international peace and security. Its work in this area falls into four stages: Conflict prevention: mediating between countries and helping to prevent tension from escalating into war Peace-making: helping resolve conflicts that have erupted Peace-keeping and enforcement: helping countries torn by conflict generate the conditions for permanent peace, and Peace-building: helping with recovery, reconstruction and development. Read pg 358 activity 10.2B

How does the UN works for peace and why it is important to the health and development of individuals.

Human rights According to the UN, human rights are: inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in They include: The right to life, liberty and nationality Freedom of thought, conscience and religion The right to work and to be educated The right to food and housing The right to participate in government

Humanitarian action Humanitarian disasters can be caused be flood, drought, earthquake or conflict, a humanitarian disaster means lost lives, displaced populations, communities incapable of sustaining themselves and great suffering. By the end of 2006, 12.8 million people had been displaced within their own countries, and 9 million had become refugees by fleeing across international borders Natural disasters, mostly weather-related, affect more than 200 million people each year

The UN responds to disasters in 2 ways: Initially it provides immediate relief to the victims such as food, shelter, medicines and logistical support. (eg evacuation, restoring of basic amenities.) Secondly the UN seeks more effective strategies to prevent these types of situations occurring again. Read pg 361 complete activity 10.2 D and E

Economic and social development The UN works towards economic and social goals by helping countries to formulate policies, set standards and through economic aid. There are a number of bodies and programs that aim to enhance the development of countries and their people. Some examples of these are: The Millennium Development Goals to promote sustainable human development UNICEF, which is the main organisation working towards the long term survival, protection and development of children The UN settlements program, which assists people living in health-threatening housing conditions. Pg 365 Activity 10.2F