United Nations United Nations Study GuideStudy Guide

The United NationsThe United Nations

Est’d in 1945Est’d in 1945

Predecessor: Predecessor: League of NationsLeague of Nations

Top priority: Top priority: preserve peacepreserve peace

HQ: New York CityHQ: New York City

Secretary General Ban Ki-Secretary General Ban Ki-moon moon

From Republic of From Republic of Korea (Korea (akaaka South South Korea)Korea)

Former Minister of Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs and Trade for ROKTrade for ROK

Speaks Korean, Speaks Korean, English, FrenchEnglish, French

Basic structure of the UNBasic structure of the UNThe Secretary General

The Security Council

The General Assembly

The Security CouncilThe Security Council

Security Council decisions Security Council decisions require unanimous votesrequire unanimous votes

Permanent members can veto Permanent members can veto any decisionany decision

UN somewhat ineffective UN somewhat ineffective during the Cold Warduring the Cold War

Why?Why?

Security Council may add Security Council may add permanent memberspermanent members

Japan, Germany, India, Brazil Japan, Germany, India, Brazil would like permanent seatswould like permanent seats

Why?Why?

The Security Council: 15 The Security Council: 15 totaltotal

5 permanent members5 permanent members USUS United KingdomUnited Kingdom Russian FederationRussian Federation People’s Republic of People’s Republic of

ChinaChina FranceFrance

10 Rotating members (2 10 Rotating members (2 year terms)year terms) 2 Latin America2 Latin America 2 Africa2 Africa 2 Asia2 Asia 2 Europe2 Europe 2 Middle East2 Middle East

Presidency of Council Presidency of Council rotates monthly, rotates monthly, alphabetically in alphabetically in EnglishEnglish

Current Members:Current Members: 9/20119/2011

Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Colombia, Brazil, Colombia, Gabon, Germany, India, Gabon, Germany, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, Lebanon, Nigeria, Portugal, South AfricaPortugal, South Africa

The General AssemblyThe General Assembly

193 members193 members Every country gets 1 seat, one voteEvery country gets 1 seat, one vote Like a global town meetingLike a global town meeting All members pay duesAll members pay dues

Based on national ability to pay, a %Based on national ability to pay, a % Meetings translated into many Meetings translated into many

different languagesdifferent languages

Main Missions of the UNMain Missions of the UN

Peace & SecurityPeace & Security

Prevent war through negotiationPrevent war through negotiation ““Peacekeeping Operations”Peacekeeping Operations”

Monitor ceasefires, truces, etcMonitor ceasefires, truces, etc Canada wrote the book Canada wrote the book

Economic & Social DevelopmentEconomic & Social Development

Rights for workersRights for workers Working conditionsWorking conditions child laborchild labor Migrant laborMigrant labor

Rights for women, ethnic Rights for women, ethnic minoritiesminorities

Promoting health issuesPromoting health issues Water & sanitationWater & sanitation NutritionNutrition Preventative medicinePreventative medicine

The UN paints its peacekeeping vehiclesThe UN paints its peacekeeping vehicleswhite to clearly identify them.white to clearly identify them.

Main Missions of the UNMain Missions of the UN

Human RightsHuman Rights Basic rights for all should be Basic rights for all should be

guaranteedguaranteed

Humanitarian AffairsHumanitarian Affairs Disaster relief, aid to refugees, Disaster relief, aid to refugees,

HIV/AIDS, famine, drought, HIV/AIDS, famine, drought, floodingflooding

International LawInternational Law

What can we get everyone to What can we get everyone to agree to?agree to?

Rules for:Rules for: ImmigrationImmigration BordersBorders Use of waterwaysUse of waterways Prisoners rightsPrisoners rights Etc.Etc.

UN troops: The “Blue Helmets”

StatsStats

1945 = 50 member 1945 = 50 member statesstates

2011 = 193 2011 = 193 member statesmember states

The UN flag is light blue and shows the The UN flag is light blue and shows the map of the world surrounded by the map of the world surrounded by the an olive branch .an olive branch .

- Why the olive branch?- Why the olive branch?

Challenges for the UNChallenges for the UN

Taking decisive action quicklyTaking decisive action quickly Members have different priorities, needsMembers have different priorities, needs Decisions require compromise Decisions require compromise

Peacekeeping forcesPeacekeeping forces Nations voluntarily contribute troopsNations voluntarily contribute troops Troops work for UN, but also for their Troops work for UN, but also for their

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