UNITED NATIONS IT’S YOUR WORLD © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

OBJECTIVES Why was the United Nations created? Main Purposes Brief History Facts at a Glance Main Bodies Specialized Agencies Fundamental Issues © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

WHY WAS THE UN CREATED? Created as an international peacekeeping organization to prevent another disastrous and costly war such as World War II. © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

MAIN PURPOSES OF UN To keep peace throughout the world; To develop friendly relations among nations; To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms; To be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals. SOURCE: www.un.org © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

BRIEF HISTORY OF UN League of Nations – Founded after WWI to keep peace and prevent another world war – 57 countries joined but US never did – disbanded at beginning of WWII 1944 – US President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin met to develop a new international organization 1945 – Representatives from 50 countries met in San Francisco and signed the charter for the United Nations (Poland not present but considered original member). SOURCE: www.un.org © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

FACTS AT A GLANCE Headquartered in New York City – but land and building are considered “international territory” UN European Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland 192 member states Senior Officer is Secretary-General Has its own flag, post office, and postage stamps UN Flag and Emblem – olive branch as sign of peace 6 official languages spoken at UN – Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish SOURCE: www.un.org © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

MAIN BODIES OF UN General Assembly – forum for all member states to meet and discuss international issues Security Council – maintains international peace and security – serves as a mediator and investigator (if necessary) – can issue cease-fire initiatives and send UN peace-keeping forces Economic & Social Council – promotes standards of living, economic and social progress, cultural and educational rights, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms Trusteeship Council – activities suspended – no longer any “trust” territories International Court of Justice – located in The Hague in Netherlands – settles legal disputes between UN member states Secretariat – carries out administrative operations for UN – 44,000 civil workers around the world SOURCE: www.un.org © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

SPECIALIZED AGENCIES International Monetary Fund (IMF) Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT) United Nations World Food Program(WFP) World Bank Group World Health Organization (WHO) Additional agencies and committees SOURCE: www.un.org © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Assist in alleviating poverty Create a healthy and educated labor force Protect limited resources Develop a global infrastructure for industry and commerce SOURCE: Docalavich, H. (2007). The un and the global marketplace. Broomall, PA: Mason Crest Publishers, Inc © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UNDP – United Nations Development Program Global development network Connects countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help create solutions to global and national development challenges Assists developing countries in procuring aid UNIDO – United Nations Industrial Development Organization Promotes industrialization Delivers critical skills, information, and technology to promote growth of employment, a competitive economy, and sound environment. SOURCE: Docalavich, H. (2007). The un and the global marketplace. Broomall, PA: Mason Crest Publishers, Inc © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES Sustainable Development The following are a list of some of the issues that the United Nations is currently working on: Sustainable Development Environment and Refugees Protection Disaster Relief Counter Terrorism Disarmament Advancement of Women Promoting Democracy, Human Rights, and Gender Equality Clearing Landmines Expanding Food Production International Health SOURCE: www.un.org © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

UN BUILDING IN NEW YORK © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

UN YEAR IN REVIEW - 2010 http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/yearinreview/ © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

NAME 5 ECONOMIC CONCEPTS THAT ARE ADDRESSED BY THE UNITED NATIONS. REVIEW NAME 5 ECONOMIC CONCEPTS THAT ARE ADDRESSED BY THE UNITED NATIONS. © 2011 Biba S. Kavass

REVIEW- POSSIBLE ANSWERS NAME 5 ECONOMIC CONCEPTS THAT ARE ADDRESSED BY THE UNITED NATIONS: Scarcity Wants and Needs International Trade Globalization Circular Flow of Economic Activity Population Growth Economic Development Poverty and Distribution of Income Allocation of Resources Role of Government © 2011 Biba S. Kavass