1. International Organizations and the United Nations

2. International Organizations
What is an international organization?
An organization with an international membership, scope or presence
Who are members of international organizations?
state and non-state actors – depending on the type of organization
Renewed interest towards IOs
They are in an extraordinary period of transition
Their role in world politics and the scope of their activities has greatly increased
What purpose do international organizations serve?
Connecting members, bridging gaps, encouraging peace and security, economic development, etc…

3. International Organizations
Today’s topics of discussion:
History of IOs and tendencies of their emergence as crucial players in the world politics
Some major international organizations (more specifically IGOs), such as UN and EU that are selected on the basis of their significance to the world and regional politics, that will be discussed in terms of their structures and functions.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Multinational Corporations (MNCs)
These issues will be discussed in more detail and in the scope of specific political-economic themes during the following classes

4. Types of international organizations
IGOs are formal institutions comprised primarily of sovereign states (referred to as member states), or of other intergovernmental organization (e.g. UN, EU, NATO, IMF, G8, etc).
They can be multi or general-purpose organizations, taking up any international issue, such as UN.
They can also have narrow mandate focusing on a specific economic, political, social or military issue, examples: ILO, WHO.
Spillover - cooperation in one issue area may affect another issue area
Membership can be open to all actors, or limited by some objective criteria (e.g. EU, NATO conditionality)

5. Types of international organizations
International NGOs – essentially nonprofit, private organizations that engage in a variety of international activities (e.g. Amnesty International, Greenpeace, International Committee for Red Cross, Worldvision International, etc.)
Types of NGOs (alternative names): independent sector, volunteer sector, civil society, grassroots organizations, transnational social movement organizations, private voluntary organizations, self-help organizations and non-state actors
Financing – mostly membership dues, charitable contributions and private sourcing.

6. Types of international organizations
NGOs roles in the world politics:
Information gathering with people on the ground, interaction with other NGOs, IGOs and MNCs.
Consult and expertise.
Carrying out policies of states and IGOs.
Private interactions involving with various transactions to bring together groups and individuals.
Participate in international politics by defining goals, providing information, and giving expert advice
Pressure governments and IGOs through direct and indirect lobbying
NGOs are instrumental in setting international norms and executing international policy

7. What is the UN?
an international organization designed to make the enforcement of international law, security, human rights, economic and social progress easier for countries around the world
192 member countries
headquarters in New York City

8. History of the UN
the League of Nations was the predecessor to the UN, it was founded in1919 and was responsible for ensuring peace and cooperation between world nations
the term ‘’United Nations’’ was coined in by Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt

9. History of the UN
the UN was founded on October 24, 1945, when the Charter of the UN was drafted at the UN Conference on International Organization in San Francisco
the conference was attended by 50 nations and several non governmental organizations

10. History of the UN
main principles: save future generations from war, reaffirm human rights, and establish equal rights for all nations
United Nations day is celebrated on October 24

11. Organization of the UN purposes of the UN:
maintaining international peace and security
developing friendly international relations among world nations
solving international problems of any nature (economic, cultural, social, humanitarian…)

12. Organization of the UN principal organs of the UN:
the General Assembly
the Secretariat
the Security Council
the International Court of Justice
the Economic and Social Council
the Trusteeship Council

13. The General Assembly consists of committees
main function: assessing member countries and deciding on the budget
the only organ where every member state is represented
consists of committees
convenes annually in September, special sessions can also be held

14. The Secretariat
includes the Secretary General and the Secretariat staff
primarily has an administrative function
the Secretary General holds office for five years per term
The first ever Secretary General was Trygve Lie, the office is currently held by António Guterres

15. The Security Council
UN’s most powerful organ
deals with threats to international peace and security
has 15 members, 5 of which are permanent: the USA, China, Russia, Britain and France
permanent members have veto power when the Council decides on important issues

16. The ICJ the principal judicial organ of the UN
based in the Hague, Netherlands
consists of 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and Security Council
applies international law
not bound by precedents
no appeals can be made by parties to its judgment

17. The Charter of the UN
The United Nations Charter is the treaty that forms and establishes the international organization called the United Nations.

18. History
It was signed at the South Dakota Civic Center of the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center (part of the Civic center) in San Francisco, United States, on June 26, 1945, by 50 of the 51 original member countries (Poland, the other original member, which was not represented at the conference, signed it later).

19. It entered into force on October 24, 1945, after being ratified by the five permanent members of the Security Council (China, France, The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, The United Kingdom and the United States) and a majority of other signatories

20. Preamble
"We the peoples of the United Nations determined: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom…”

21. Chapter I
Chapter I sets forth the purposes and principles of the United Nations, including provisions of the maintenance of international peace and security

22. Purposes of the UN To maintain international peace and security
To develop friendly relations among nations
To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character
To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends

23. Principles
Read Article 2 of the Charter (p ) and answer the following questions:
On what principle is the Organization based?
How will Members fulfil obligations assumed by them in accordance with the Charter?
How will all Members settle their disputes?
What shall all Members refrain from?