The United Nations

United Nations Structure Six main “organs” of the UN General Assembly Security Council Secretariat International Court of Justice Economic & Social Council Trusteeship Council Many other agencies & organizations within the UN system

UNHQ – “New York City”

Secretariat (& Secretary-General) Secretariat is the “business” Secretary-General acts as a diplomat, advocate, civil servant, and CEO Spokesman for the interests of the world’s peoples, in particular the poor and vulnerable H.E. Ban Ki-moon of Korea (2007-)

General Assembly

Security Council

Economic & Social Council

Trusteeship Council (to 1994)

International Court of Justice - The Hague

UN European HQ – Geneva Former HQ of the League of Nations

UN Office at Vienna UNHCR, Space, Drugs

UN Office at Nairobi UNEP, UNHABITAT

Purpose of the UN Maintain international peace & security Achieve international cooperation in solving economic, social, cultural, & humanitarian problems Promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms Be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining common goals

UN Priorities: Conflict Resolution Peaceful Settlement of Differences International Court of Justice Economic Sanctions Peacekeeping Force Regular Military Force Must be made available by all member states on an individual basis

UN Priorities: Human Rights Universal Declaration of Human Rights High Commission for Human Rights - replaced by the Human Rights Council on June 16th, 2006 Refugees High Commission for Refugees

UN Priorities: Sustainable Development “Programs that improve people’s quality of life without impairing future generations’ ability to improve their quality of life” UN Conference on Human Environment The Earth Summit United Nations Environment Program

UN Priorities: The Middle East Whereas many other conflicts were resolved in a relatively short time…. Israeli/Arab &Palestinian Conflict has dominated the Security Council agenda for decades Wars: 1948, 1956, 1967, 1973 and 1982 Problems still exist today Why?

UN Priorities: Other Major Issues Women Child Labour Colonies (success!) Apartheid (success!) Population Development (including the HDI) Health

The Rt. Hon. Lester B. Pearson Invented the concept of peacekeeping President of the General Assembly 1952-1953 Won the Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to resolve the Suez Crisis of 1956 Canadian Prime Minister 1963-1968

Mrs. Louise Arbour UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 2004-Present Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada 1999-2004 Chief Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda 1996-1999

H.E. Stephen Lewis UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa 2001-2006 Deputy Director of UNICEF 1995-1999 Canadian UN Ambassador 1984-1988 Leader of the Ontario NDP 1970-1978

LGen The Hon. Roméo Dallaire Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda 1994 Author of Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda Canadian Senator

MGen Lewis Mackenzie Commander of the United Nations Protection Force in Yugoslavia 1994 Author of Peacekeeper, Road to Sarajevo

Canada’s Financial Contributions to the UN 7th leading contributor to the UN – 2.5% of the UN’s budget (US $34.5 million)… more than China or Russia! Canada has a perfect payment record – always in full, on time, and without conditions In addition, Canada contributes $77 million annually for UN peacekeeping

Canada and International Development Canada spent US $2 billion in 2002 on Official Development Assistance (ODA) .28% of our Gross National Income $100 from every Canadian Canada plans to double ODA by 2010

Canada and Children Canada played a key role in creating the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of a Child Canada Co-Chaired the 1990 World Summit for Children Canada hosted the 2000 International Conference on War Affected Children

Canada and Development in Africa Canada dropped its tariffs and quotas on nearly all imports from least-developed countries in 2003 Canada led the G8 Africa Action Plan that helped African nations launch the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Canada added another $500 million in aid through the Canada Fund for Africa

Canadian Missions to the UN Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York (UNHQ) Geneva Mission, Vienna Mission Delegation to UNESCO in Paris Mission UN HABITAT in Nairobi Mission to UNEP in Nairobi Mission to FAO in Rome Mission to ICAO in Montreal

Questions About the UN? www.un.org www.un.int/canada www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canada_un www.unac.org www.unicef.ca www.canimun.org United Nations Watch