United Nations Main Mission: maintain international peace and security and promote friendly relations between countries

Human Rights The UN published the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (“UDHR”) –More rights than in Constitution –Everyone in world is supposed to get these rights when they are born Examples –Live free from violence –Freedom of speech/press –Freedom of religion/assembly –Right to complain against or criticize the government –Right to privacy –Right to an education

UN Budget Member contributions based on ability to pay –U.S. the largest payer with a $1.7 billion contribution funding 26% of the UN’s budget –U.S. contribution is only.06% of the total annual U.S. budget of $2.8 trillion

General Assembly

Security Council

Permanent Members U.S. China Russia United Kingdom France Permanent members have veto authority in the Security Council Susan Rice

Possible Security Council Actions 1. Resolution Statement by the security council that is supposed to be followed by all UN members

Possible Security Council Actions 2. Commission a Study Researchers & experts are sent to study a problem. –Global problem: Global Warming or diseases –Country specific: Weapons or genocide

Possible Security Council Actions 3. Humanitarian Aid –Providing for the basic needs of groups of people who cannot provide for themselves. –Food, Shelter, Clothing, Medicine Hum. Aid often goes to Refugees Someone who has no home, either due to a natural or manmade disaster. Someone who cannot return home for fear of an attack.

Possible Security Council Actions 4. Sanctions Penalties for disobedience Economic Sanctions: Usually involves, limiting trade of specific goods like weapons, but could involve all goods (an embargo) Military Sanctions –Disarmament: Halting the spread of weapons Collect weapons Defuse/destroy weapons –Even nuclear weapons Diplomatic Sanctions –Removal of UN personnel

5. Peacemaking Diplomatic negotiation (no use of force) 6. Peacekeeping Soldiers sent into an area in an attempt to stop the fighting. –Separate the sides –Note: A country must consent to the present of peacekeepers 7. Offensive Military Action Soldiers sent in to fight following the orders of the UN (this is the last resort) Possible Security Council Actions

2 Ways to Peace Peacekeeping: soldiers sent into an area in an attempt to stop the fighting. –Either to separate sides or actual military action. Boxing ref or aggressor –A country must consent to the presence of peacekeepers. Peacemaking: diplomatic negotiation of peace (no use of force) –Divorce mediator (wedding crashers)

World Court Based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. Main functions is to settle legal disputes submitted to it by states. –Ex. Crimes against humanity (genocide)

International Agencies Work Closely with the UN International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Bank World Health Organization

UN Agencies International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the nuclear watchdog of the UN UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deals with children’s poverty, education UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) assists refugees World Food Program distributes food around the world

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (from S. Korea)

SECURITY COUNCIL 15 countries 5 permanent countries—US, UK, France, China and Russia with veto power 10 rotating countries – 2 year term, geographically distributed  Pass resolutions  Economic sanctions – trade restrictions used to get a country to change its behavior  Peacekeeping – sending in soldiers to keep an area calm  Use force – used only as a last resort  Peace making – negotiating a peace treaty  Studying problems  Sending humanitarian aid GENERAL ASSEMBLY All nations belong Meets in the fall All nations vote – each has one vote Main forum for debate Pass resolutions – what they think should be done, controversial ones need a 2/3 vote Difficult to enforce resolutions SECRETARIAT/ SECRETARY GENERAL Secretary General – Ban Ki-moon Runs the UN on day-to-day basis Oversees 9,000 employees Face of the UN

UN Terms - Governments Democracy Government controlled by the people who each have a say (through voting) in the policies of the nation. Examples: US, Israel, Palestine, India, Pakistan, S. Korea, Dictatorship Government ruled by an individual or small group of powerful people who govern without consent of those being governed Examples: North Korea, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Vietnam

UN terms - Economies Capitalism Economic system in which individuals own property, control investments and seek to make a profit Prices and the number of goods produced are established by the free market, whatever people are willing to buy and sell Communism Economic system in which the government controls all property and makes all investments Prices and the number of goods produced established by the government

Groups of Countries OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) Countries that produce oil They meet to coordinate & unify petroleum policies and ensure the stabilization of oil markets. –Members: Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela NATO (N. Atlantic Treaty Organization) Defensive military alliance of 28 countries (member states agree to defend each other in response to an attack) –Sample Members: Canada, France, Italy, UK, US, Greece, Germany, Spain (most of both Eastern and Western Europe)

Groups of Countries G-20 Top leaders in the 20 largest developed & developing countries come together to discuss key issues in the global economy. –Ex: S. Africa, US, Canada, Brazil, Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, EU, Australia, Fr. UK, Germ., Italy Note: there is also a G-8 which brings together the leaders of the 8 largest and developing countries. BRICS Brazil, Russia, India, China, S. Africa Organization which coordinates the policies of these five developing countries

Groups of Countries European Union (EU): economic and political partnership between 27 European countries. Fosters economic cooperation: countries that trade with one another are economically interdependent and will thus avoid conflict. African Union (AU): Group of 54 African countries that meet to discuss social, economic & political problems in Africa. Arab League: organization of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia (Middle East). –Currently 22 members & 4 observers. –Main goal: draw closer the relations between member States and co- ordinate collaboration b/w them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries.