UN Lecture Notes

United Nations Overview World History – Neilson

Forerunner Post WWI League of Nations 1919: Treaty of Versailles Woodrow Wilson’s vision to “Promote cooperation and achieve peace and security.” 3 reasons it failed No U.S. USSR Non-Committal No “teeth”

United Nations Founding 1944: US, UK, China, Soviet Union – early proposals 1945, San Francisco: 51 countries create charter UN Day: October 24

Membership Member? Accept obligations of UN Charter 1945: 50 members sign + Poland 1949: 59 (Israel) 1956: 80 (Japan) 1960: 99 (16 in Africa) 1971: 132 (5 in Middle East) 1977: 149 (Viet Nam) 1992: 179 (former Soviet states) 2006: 192 (Montenegro) Who’s not in the United Nations?

United Nations Purpose The UN was created to maintain international peace and security. It also works to maintain friendly relationships between countries. Lastly, it works to promote economic development of member nations. 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights What did it say?

UN Principles Sovereign equality of all members. Fulfill obligations of charter – assistance. Settle disputes peacefully. Refrain from threat or use of force. No domestic interference.

UN World Headquarters: New York City

General Assembly All members: one seat, one vote Sept-Dec Decision Making Want Consensus Settle for vote (majority or 2/3) Simple majority vote for non peace/security/budget/new member issues

Security Council Anytime peace threatened 15 members 9/15 vote 5 Permanent 10: 2-year terms 9/15 vote “Permanent” Veto Why? China, France, Russia, UK, US, Who in this class gets veto power???

The “UN System” 6 main committees 30 affiliated organizations (IMF, World Bank, WHO) 9000 employees Secretariat Secretary General Ban Ki- moon, Republic of Korea Secretariat made up of secretary general and 10+ thousand UN staffers who carry out daily tasks Secretary general (5 year term) –appointed by general assembly, recommended by security council

World Health Organization Coordinating authority on world public health. Monitors outbreaks of infectious disease. Supports development, distribution of drugs, vaccines, diagnostics. Smallpox gone; polio soon? Current: AIDS, malaria.

Unicef – UN Children’s Fund Research, Advocacy Shelter, Healthcare, Education Protection from abuse, violence, exploitation 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child

UNESCO –UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization Dialogue: relationships  peace. Education: K-5 for all, gender equity. Science: water for all, sustainable development, alleviate poverty. Culture: respect diversity, access to information, freedom of expression.

UNHCR –UN Refugee Agency Refugee – Driven from country for economic or political reasons. Internally Displaced Person Emergency Response Protection Asylum Advocacy – Resolve economic, political issues so refugees can return home.

IAEA – Atomic Energy Agency Safety/Security – Help nations upgrade, address emergencies. Science/Technology – Develop peaceful applications. Safeguards/ Verification – Inspectors verify no nuclear weapons.

WTO – World Trade Organization Promotes free trade Mediates trade fights 150 in; 32 want in. Criticisms Developing nations need protections. Big economies dominate agreements. Labor and environment standards suffer.

IMF – International Monetary Fund Stable exchange rates Emergency loans to nations to pay bills. Financial reforms to fix deficits, inflation, etc. Criticisms Reforms fail. “Loan Addicts” Reactive, not Proactive

World Bank Development loans for infrastructure, health, education, agriculture. Low loan rates, terms. Technical Assistance. Criticisms Tool of U.S. 85/16 Multinational corporations benefit? Past loans to dictators.

Carrots Ceasefire and/or truce. Peacekeepers to separate warring parties. Mediation: Negotiate peace plans. “Safe areas” and humanitarian relief. Financial Assistance.

Sticks Political Sanctions: No participation. Economic Sanctions: Restricted trade, loans. Military Sanctions: Investigations and criminal tribunals. “No Fly” Zone. Endorse military intervention.