UNITED NATIONS (UN) INTRODUCTION TO THE

History Founded in 1945 by 51 countries after the devastating events of World War IIFounded in 1945 by 51 countries after the devastating events of World War II Today, it is an international organization with 193 member statesToday, it is an international organization with 193 member states Afghanistan to ZimbabweAfghanistan to Zimbabwe Including United States (1945) and Spain (1955)Including United States (1945) and Spain (1955) Headquarters in New York CityHeadquarters in New York City

Purpose 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. “ ”

Millennium Development Goals

Organization 6 Principal Organs:6 Principal Organs: General Assembly (GA)General Assembly (GA) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Security CouncilSecurity Council International Court of JusticeInternational Court of Justice SecretariatSecretariat Trusteeship CouncilTrusteeship Council

General Assembly (GA) Main policymaking and representative body of the UN Each country has 1 vote on global issues 2/3 majority needed to decide important questions of peace/ security, admission of new members, and budget matters. Less important questions are answered by a simple majority Specific rules of procedure; elected president for each session

Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) Main purpose: collaborative, innovative thinking on sustainable development. Addresses economic, social and environmental issues. 54 members, elected by the General Assembly for 3- year terms Regularly works with NGOs (Non-governmental Organizations)

Security Council Discusses issues of peace and security Only UN organ that can make decisions that are legally binding and enforced (member states are obligated to implement them) Decisions made by a simple majority vote 15 members 5 permanent: China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States Other 10 are elected by GA for 2 year terms A representative from each member must be available at all times (at UN Headquarters) in case of crisis.

International court of Justice “The Hague”/ “World Court” Main justice organ of the UN with the purpose of settling legal disputes between countries (ie. interpretation of international treaties) 15 judges elected by the General Assembly for 9 year terms. Judges do NOT represent countries, but rather judicial expertise. Located in the Netherlands (only major UN organ not located in New York City).

Secretariat Carries out the day-to-day administrative work of the UN (does NOT vote) Informs the world’s media about UN work, organizes international conferences, interprets speeches and translates documents in the organization’s official languages Around 43,000 staff members around the world! Led by the Secretary-General (appointed by the GA for a 5- year, renewable term) Current: Ban Ki-moon Took office in 2007; renewed in

Trusteeship Council Purpose was to supervise administration of Trust Territories of the UN; promote progressive development towards self-government and independence of these territories. Same 5 permanent members as the security council (China, France, Russia, UK and US) Suspended as of 1994, with the independence of the last remaining UN Trust Territory (Palau) Only meets when called upon by the GA

Vocabulary Member States: countries that are members of the United Nations Headquarters: center of operations from which orders are issued Organs: groups/ parts of the larger body Assembly: a group of persons brought together. In government, a legislative body Policy: A course of action adopted and pursued by a government or political party Representative: a person who represents a larger group (ie. a country) Simple majority: when the highest number of votes cast for any one candidate, issue, or item exceeds the second-highest number Sustainable development: economic development without using up resources that will be needed in the future. Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs): any non-profit, voluntary citizens' group which that functions independently of the government. Secretary-General: administrative leader of the UN Secretariat. Currently, Ban Ki-moon Self-government: government of a country by its own people, rather than by members of a different country.

What did you Learn? Fill out the “L” Section of your K-W-L chart!Fill out the “L” Section of your K-W-L chart!

Homework: Define the following words in English: Parliament Diplomacy Delegate Agenda Debate Negotiation Resolution Consensus Collaboration Explore the following 2 links: U.N. Intro: U.N. Virtual Tour: Write a word summary of what you learned about the U.N. Incorporate 3 of the vocabulary words into this summary.