1. The United Nations What should they do about genocide?

3. Basics of the United Nations = An international organization composed of most of the countries of the world; it was founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and economic development. Started in the midst of WWII – Collective security

5. Institutional Basics: - Security Council - charged with maintaining international peace and security - 15 member countries 5 are permanent (USA, Russia, Great Britain, France, and China) - General Assembly - each state has one vote - forum for discussion - Secretary General - spokesperson of the United Nations - Current secretary general is Ban Ki-Moon

6. Pause: Talk about these Questions with your neighbor When was the United Nations started? How many permanent members are on the Security Council? Who is the current secretary-general?

7. Principles of the United Nations It is NOT a world government!!! Based on two principles – Sovereignty = state is free to rule its population as it wishes and does not have to seek approval of any higher authority – Non-Intervention The UN will not send in peacekeepers into a state they are invited

8. “Responsibility to Protect” = When a state fails to fulfill its responsibilities, it is the international community’s responsibility to intervene *CONFLICT with UN’s principle of non-intervention Provides legal and ethical basis for intervention example: if genocide is occurring in a state

9. Pause: Talk about these questions with your neighbor Is the UN a world government? What is sovereignty? What is the “responsibility to protect” doctrine

10. Resources: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/United+Nations http://www.nesomexico.com/home/news-events/news- archive/2008/february/model-united-nations-in- mexico/image http://www.nesomexico.com/home/news-events/news- archive/2008/february/model-united-nations-in- mexico/image http://www.iec- okc.com/portals/0/ProjGalleryImages/united%20nations%2 0nyc.jpg http://www.iec- okc.com/portals/0/ProjGalleryImages/united%20nations%2 0nyc.jpg http://www.un.int/iom/UN.jpg http://ochaonline.un.org/Portals/8/Announcements/UN%2 0Photo%20Mark%20Garten.jpg http://ochaonline.un.org/Portals/8/Announcements/UN%2 0Photo%20Mark%20Garten.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/UN_ member_states_animation.gif http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/UN_ member_states_animation.gif http://www.iansa.org/un/images/dayofpeacedove.jpg