JAMIE RODER ANJANA VENUGOPAL The United Nations. IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS: THE U.N. CHARTER THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS THE U.N. MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT.

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/>