The United Nations

The Basic Goal of the UN are: To Keep peace amoung nations To develop good relationships between countries around the world To promote human rights, basic freedoms and justice for all Reduce global inequalities

Structure of the United Nations

UN Security Council Responsible for maintaining peace and security Investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international conflict Can impose economic sanctions Take military Action against an aggressor

General Assembly Comprised of all member nations Sets UN budget Decides new members/holds current members accountable Make recommendations regarding international peace, security, disarmament Empowered to make only non-binding recommendations

UN Economic and Social Council Makes studies and reports to promote: Higher standard of living Full employment Economic,social and health programs International cultural cooperation

Secretariat Ban Ki-Moon – Secretary General an international staff working in duty stations around the world (9000 people in 170 Countries) Duties include: organizing peacekeeping operations, mediating international disputes, human rights and sustainable development Headed by the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a five-year, renewable term

http://www.un.org/av/unfamily/

Organizations Within the UN World Health Organization (WHO): United Nations specialized agency for health. - Goal is to attain the highest possible level of physical, emotional and mental health for all.

World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade agreements Forum for trade negotiations Settling trade disputes Reviewing national trade policies Assisting developing countries in trade policy issues, through technical assistance and training programs

Child survival/development – immunizations, AIDS prevention Basic education- free, compulsory Gender equality Child protection- violence, exploitation, abuse

Non- Government Organizations NGO’s: Private organizations, voluntary groups, grassroots committees and non-state actors (NSAs) who lobby for human rights and promote environmental and social development Examples Include: ActionAid International Amnesty International Consumers International Greenpeace International Oxfam International International Save the Children Alliance World YWCA

Example of Amnesty Headline…. The missing children of Laos The Lao government claims to have "found" 21 girls and young women who have been missing since December 2005 when they were deported from Thailand