THE UNITED NATIONS

Intro Unit Lesson 6

A 2-Day Exploration

Objectives

Review history behind creation of UN. Identify goals of the UN. Examine structure and function of UN

organs. Discuss role and effectiveness of UN.

Warm Up

What are the 2 categories of international organizations? Provide an example of each.

United Nations

Helps stabilize international relations and monitor global events.

History Post WWI- League of Nations Post WWII- Yalta Conference

Oct 24, 1945- 50 charter nations

General UN Membership 193 member states

“Peace loving nations”

NYC: “Sessions” Sept-Dec

Pay dues (% world wealth)2012-13 Budget ($5.5 b) Peacekeeping costs different

($7.3 b)

Provide personnel (troops) for UN activities

Goals of the U.N. Maintain world peace &

security Develop friendly,

respectful relations among nations

Protect human rights and freedoms

Encourage social and economic progress (raise SOL)

WebQuest: Get to Know the UN Identify the purpose,

membership structure, and powers of the following branches:

General Assembly Security Council Secretariat Economic and Social

Council Court of Justice

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon: S. Korea

http://www.un.org/en/

General Assembly Purpose: Open, deliberative forum

Membership: All member nations (193) 1 vote per delegation 2/3rd vote to pass resolutions/mandates

Function/Powers: Elect members of other organs Debate issues & make recommendations Approve budget & spending Suspend or revoke membership

Security Council Purpose: Maintain peace & security

Membership: 5 permanent members (China, France, Britain, US,

Russia), 10 non-perm members (elected 2 yr terms by GA)9/15 votes to take action, including all 5 perm

Function/Powers:Investigate & mediate disputes (binding decisions)Apply political & economic sanctionsTake military action when necessary

Secretariat Purpose: Carry out daily operations

Membership: Secretary General (Ban Ki-moon) – 5 yr term~50K+ workers in various agencies and offices

(NYC headquarters)

Function/Powers:Administer programs & policiesCreate press releases

Econ and Social Council Purpose: Promote higher standard of living,

econ and social progress

Membership: 54 members- regional representation3 year terms1 vote per nation

Function/Powers:Formulate policyDiscuss & Initiate studies concerning econ/soc issuesCall international summits (mtgs)

Internatl Court of Justice Purpose: Settle disputes of internatl law

Membership: 15 Justices (independent once elected)9 year termsPeace Palace (The Hague, Amsterdam)

Function/Powers:Nations submitting disputes agree to decisionsAdvise organs on legal questions

Trusteeship Council

Purpose: Oversee “trust territories” (11 nations w/out govt following WW2)

Membership: 5 Perm Security Nations

Function: None, all territories est self-govt eventually

WebQuest: Get to Know the UN Second part of the webquest has you

exploring specialized activities that the organization undertakes.

Complete activity for homework if you do not finish in class.

Closure What were you most

surprised to learn about the UN during your exploration? Is there something you want to learn more about?

Day 2 Warm Up Goals of the UN?

Principal Organs?

Peace & security HR & Freedoms Social & Econ

Progress

Gen Assembly Security Council Secretariat ECOSOC ICJ

Close Reading Activity Read the Upfront

article “The UN: A Love-Hate Affair” from the link below.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/upfront/features/index.asp?article=f092010_UN

Be prepared to discuss issues & controversies surrounding the UN as well as the role for the UN in today’s world.

Reading Summary

Thesis:

Issues and Controversies

No real power, non-binding No army National sovereignty Imbalance of power Inefficiency Underfunding Ethics

Millenium Dvpt Goals Pledge to meet needs of world’s poor Adopted 2000 – Achieved 2015?

http://youtu.be/GlUS6KE67Vs

MDG Webquest

http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/bkgd.shtml

Identify original goal expectations (targets)

Explain what’s been accomplished so far

Identify post-2015 expectations (if available)

Discussion

Is the United Nations obsolete? What role should it play and what powers should it have in our new world?

Closure

Has the UN been successful in achieving its goals? Why or why not?