jamie roder anjana venugopal the united nations. important documents: the u.n. charter the universal...
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JAMIE RODERANJANA VENUGOPAL
The United Nations
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:•T H E U. N. C H A RT E R
•T H E U N I V E R SA L D E C L A R AT I O N O F H U M A N R I G H T S
•T H E U. N. M I L L E N N I U M D E V E L O P M E N T G O A L S
An international organization made up of most countries in the world, committed to
promoting international cooperation, peace, security and economic and
environmental development.
What is the Organization?
Age of Organization
Began in 1945, continuing today: 68 years old
Predecessor was the League of Nations They are based on the same
ideals, have similar purposes The U.N. was created after the
League disbanded for failing to prevent WWII
Originally only included 51 states, has expanded to 193
Purpose
“Maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.” (UN Homepage)•Peacekeeping: Keeping peace and preventing disputes from escalating•Peace-Building: Building peaceful international relationships•Conflict Resolution: Resolving conflicts between or within countries•Humanitarian Assistance: Promoting human rights/Giving humanitarian aid
Organizations Representing U.N. Purpose
• International Court of JusticeResolves disputes between states
• Economic and Social CouncilDeals with economic and social issues
• General AssemblyRepresents the interests of member statesServes as a forum for member states to
discuss and decided on international issues
Membership Leadership
General Assembly 193 member states (out
of 196 countries) One representative for
each state President: S.E.M. Vuk
Jeremić of Serbia Some exceptions:
Palestine (observer state) The Vatican Western Sahara
Secretary General: Ban Ki-moon “Chief Administrative Officer” 5-year terms Symbolizes the U.N. and its values Acts as a spokesperson for
member states Security Council
5 permanent members: U.S., U.K., Russia, China, France
10 non-permanent members (2 year terms)
President rotates each month between the 15 member states
Who is Involved?
Advantages Disadvantages
Provides a place to discuss and resolve international issues Gives small states a voice
Provides protection and support in times of emergency
Provides a state with international recognition, leading to respect
Members can help develop international law, and must adhere to it Environment: Kyoto Protocol Human Rights
States must pay a fee to be a member Burden to poorer countries
Richer states do not necessarily reap a benefit proportional to their investment
The Security Council is not representative of most member nations or even current world powers
Does not have much power to act in times of emergency Ex: Rwandan Genocide
Pros and Cons of Membership
MEXICONIGERIARUSSIACHINAIRAN
THE UNITED KINGDOM
International Impact
Mexico
Mexico pleads (to General Council) that other countries do more to help stop the drug trade
U.N. contributes to the protection of human rights Committee on Migrant Workers Committee against torture Committee on the Elimination
of Discrimination against Women Committee on the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination
Nigeria
Environmental Protection: Oil Pollution Crisis U.N. Environment Program conducts study to determine the levels of oil
pollution in Ogoniland and surrounding areas. Serves as a supervising presence to make sure that this issue is not ignored in
Nigeria Tests show that drinking water near oil plants contains unsage carcinogen
levels determined by WHO Capacity for Governance Program
Programs to increase government accountability Economic Governance Program
Prioritizing resources for economic development involving fiscal policy and aid Sustainability and Risk Management Program
Protection of the country’s resources Private Sector Development
Program Growing non-oil resource base and
promoting markets
Russia
Member of the Security CouncilPoverty Reduction
Focus on investing in right areas and development of private industry
Crisis Prevention and Recovery Promotes development, esp. North Ossetia
Energy and Environment Promotes efficient use of
energy resourcesHIV/AIDS
Increasing treatment availability/options
China
Member of the Security CouncilPoverty Reduction
Promotes equal rights and fair pay for migrant workers
GovernanceEnergy, Environment, Climate Change
Joint Green Development Plan; UNDP and Ministry of Science and Technology are introducing “green” farming techniques that also produce profit to rural farmers
Cooperation and Global Issues in the Global South International Poverty Reduction Center in China uses the U.N.
to promote relations between itself and other nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Iran
Current large involvement in Iran’s nuclear issue U.N. imposed economic sanctions: arms embargo,
freeze on Iranian assetsTension over human rights issues
Ex: U.N. urges Iran to release opposition activists from prison
U.N. focus on development in: Environment and Energy Gender Poverty Reduction Crisis Protection and Recovery
The United Kingdom
Member of the Security Council
The U.N. rarely intervenes in the U.K. since it is stable and adheres to U.N. objectives
The U.N. can obligate the U.K. to contribute forces for U.N. missions
Works Cited
“About ECOSOC.” United Nations Economic and Social Council. United Nations. Web. <http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/about/>
“At U.N., Mexico Urges Countries to Increase Measures to Combat Illegal Drug Trade.” UN News Centre. United Nations. Web. 26 September 2012. <http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=43053&Cr=general+debate&Cr1>
“Cleaning Up Nigeria Oil Pollution Could Take Years, Cost Millions – UN.” UN News Centre. United Nations. Web. 4 August 2011. <http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39232&Cr=pollutio..#.UUuH8Bc3sbA>
“Crisis Prevention and Recovery.” UNDP: Russian Federation. Web. <http://www.undp.ru/index.php?iso=RU&lid=1&cmd=programs3>
“History of the United Nations.” U.N. History Home. United Nations. Web. <http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/history/index.shtml>
“Iran.” UNDP: Iran. Web. <http://www.undp.org.ir/> “Main Bodies.” Main Bodies. United Nations. Web.
<http://www.un.org/en/mainbodies/>
Works Cited
“Mexico.” United Nations Human Rights. Web. 2013. <http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/LACRegion/Pages/MXIndex.aspx>
“Nigeria.” UNDP: Nigeria. Web. <http://www.ng.undp.org/> “Quick Facts and Success Stories.” Millennium Development Goals:
We Can End Poverty 2015. United Nations. Web. <http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/>
“The Role of the Secretary General.” Secretary-General: Ban Ki-moon. United Nations. Web. 2012. <http://www.un.org/sg/sg_role.shtml>
“Russian Federation.” UNDP: Russian Federation. Web. <http://www.undp.ru/index.php?iso=RU&lid=1>
“UN Human Rights Experts Urge Iran to Release Detained Opposition Activists.” UN News Centre. United Nations. Web. 11 February 2013. <http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44117>
“Welcome to UNDP China.” UNDP: China. Web. 2011. <http://www.undp.org.cn/>