1. What is the United Nations? Created at the end of WWII 192 countries in the UN today Goals include peace and prosperity, and live together peacefully Does not have any power over its member’s countries; left up to the governments if they want to cooperate. (i.e. - U.S. did not have authority to invade Iraq)

2. What are the Goals of the UN? To create a world free from war To bring justice and equality To help the poor people of the world To encourage friendly relations between the nation states

3. Think about it… How can these goals of the UN be applied to global issues today? Discuss!

4. What are Our Human Rights? In 1948, the UN created a document called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights –outlined the rights that the UN believed everyone in the world has –People have the rights to life, freedom, and security

5. Know the Rights! People are: –Free from slavery –Right to a fair trial –Right to marry –Right to own property –Right to believe in whatever religion they choose. –In addition, the document states freedom of movement, right to work, equal pay for equal work, rest and leisure, and a right to an education.

6. Human Rights Cont…. Commission on the Human Rights Monitors countries that are breaking the rules (makes it harder for countries to get away with Human Rights abuses) Eleanor Roosevelt helped write the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

7. Think about it… What kind of human rights violations, particularly against children, do we see around the world?

8. How Does the UN Work? The UN is divided into 6 parts: –Secretariat –General Assembly –General Debate –Economic and Social Council –Trusteeship Council –International Court of Justice

9. How Does the UN Work Cont… Secretariat –made up of people who are working for the UN Headquarters –located in New York City –(International ground, not part of U.S.- must abide by UN laws)

10. How Does the UN Work Cont… General Assembly –meeting at which every member country is represented –budget is set and resolutions are made General Debate –meets once a year to discuss any world issues World Leaders –address the General Debate at the General Assembly

11. Think about it… How many members in the General Assembly does it take to pass resolutions to world problems?

12. How Does the UN Work Cont… ESC – Economic, Social and Cultural Rights –was set up to coordinate all of the efforts to improve the standard of living of the world’s poor http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/edumat/IHRIP/circle/modules/module24.htm –Needed for economic and social progress and development International Court of Justice is The Hague, in the Netherlands http://www.icj-cij.org/court/index.php?p1=1

13. How Does the UN Work Cont… The UN General Assembly and the Security Council may ask the court for legal advice. The law applies to all country members The Security Council – most influential and consists of 15 representatives: 5 permanent members Other 10 are Chosen by the General Assembly

14. How Does the UN Work Cont… UN members are bound by the UN Charter to obey the council. Permanent Members: –China –USA –UK –France –Russia These countries can Veto Power The main function is to maintain peace and security

15. How Does the UN Work Cont… Council members: –sit on the council for 2 years –job is to mediate between countries who have conflict –can implement an arms embargo and gives authority to countries to take military action, as a last resort http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- dyn/content/article/2009/12/23/AR2009122302977.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- dyn/content/article/2009/12/23/AR2009122302977.html

16. Think about it… What major issue can you think of that should be reformed in the world today? Should the U.S. be a permanent member of the council?

17. 1. What are the problems? 2. Can you determine any solutions? 3. What overall resolution can we determine together?