1. United Nations An overview

2. The United Nations is... An organization of independent countries An organization of independent countries They voluntarily joined together They voluntarily joined together Working for peace and social progress Working for peace and social progress Represents all members (194 countries to date) Represents all members (194 countries to date) Formally began in October, 1945 Formally began in October, 1945

7. Ban Ki-moon of South Korea is the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations

8. Some interesting info... The UN building is considered an international zone, even though it is located in NYC The UN building is considered an international zone, even though it is located in NYC Official languages at the UN are: Official languages at the UN are:  Arabic  Chinese  English  French  Russian  Spanish

9. Why call it ‘United Nations?’ This name was suggested by President Franklin D. Roosevelt This name was suggested by President Franklin D. Roosevelt Due to the painful days of World War II, with millions dying, cities ruined, etc., world leaders felt the need for a global organization that would promote peace Due to the painful days of World War II, with millions dying, cities ruined, etc., world leaders felt the need for a global organization that would promote peace First attempt at such an organization after World War I failed (League of Nations) First attempt at such an organization after World War I failed (League of Nations)

11. $$$$$$$$$ UN’s Budget  about $20 billion each year, or about $3 for each of the world's inhabitants  this is a very small sum compared to most government budgets and it is just a tiny fraction of the world's military spending  the UN has faced a debilitating financial crisis and it has been forced to cut back on important programs in all areas

12. Member States “Membership in the United Nations is open to all peace-loving states which accept the obligations of the Charter and, in judgement of the Organization, are willing and able to carry out these obligations. “Membership in the United Nations is open to all peace-loving states which accept the obligations of the Charter and, in judgement of the Organization, are willing and able to carry out these obligations. The admission of any Such state to the membership in the United Nations will be effected by the decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.” The admission of any Such state to the membership in the United Nations will be effected by the decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.”

13. Charter of the United Nations 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,

14. Preamble cont. AND FOR THESE ENDS to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,

15. Organization of the UN There are six Principal organs of the United Nations: There are six Principal organs of the United Nations: -General Assembly -Security Council -Economic and Social Council -Trusteeship Council -International Court of Justice -Secretariat  There are 15 agencies and several programs

16. General Assembly the main deliberative organ of the United Nations the main deliberative organ of the United Nations composed of representatives of all member states, each of which has one vote composed of representatives of all member states, each of which has one vote decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission of new members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majority decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission of new members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majority decisions on other questions are by simple majority decisions on other questions are by simple majority

17. Security Council Only deals with questions of peace and security Only deals with questions of peace and security 15 members are on the Security Council 15 members are on the Security Council 5 members are permanent 5 members are permanent 10 members are non-permanent and are elected by the General Assembly for 2-year terms (attempt at geographical representation is made 10 members are non-permanent and are elected by the General Assembly for 2-year terms (attempt at geographical representation is made

18. Security Council The 5 permanent members are... The 5 permanent members are... Does not hold regular meetings; can be called to meet on short notice Does not hold regular meetings; can be called to meet on short notice 15 members take turns at being President of the Council for a month at a time 15 members take turns at being President of the Council for a month at a time To pass an important resolution, 9 members must vote ‘yes’ To pass an important resolution, 9 members must vote ‘yes’ If any of the 5 permanent members votes ‘no’ (veto), then the resolution doesn’t pass If any of the 5 permanent members votes ‘no’ (veto), then the resolution doesn’t pass

19. Is it fair that only five major powers have the right to veto? Many countries have suggested the need to reform and expand the Security Council Many countries have suggested the need to reform and expand the Security Council How to go about reform is a matter of contention still How to go about reform is a matter of contention still

20. International Court of Justice Hands down legal judgements Hands down legal judgements Only countries, not individuals, can take a case to the court Only countries, not individuals, can take a case to the court If a country agrees to let the court hear a case, then it must promise to abide by the court’s decision If a country agrees to let the court hear a case, then it must promise to abide by the court’s decision Located in the Hague, Netherlands Located in the Hague, Netherlands 15 judges are elected by the General Assembly and Security Council, 9 judges have to agree for a decision to be final 15 judges are elected by the General Assembly and Security Council, 9 judges have to agree for a decision to be final

21. UN Agencies/Programs UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization WHO – World Health Organization WHO – World Health Organization And many more... And many more...

22. MDGs... The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions. The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions.