World Organizations

NATO

A military alliance between North American and European countries.

NATO Formation Year

Created in 1949 to provide collective defense against the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Current Purpose of NATO

Promotes democratic values, collective defense, crisis management, and cooperative security.

EU

A political and economic union of 27 European countries.

EU Collective Security

EU member states work together on foreign policy and defense.

EU Economic Bloc

Facilitates free trade and movement, shares a common currency (euro for most members), and coordinates economic policies.

WTO

An organization that regulates international trade.

WTO Origin

Evolved from the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1995.

WHO

A UN agency focused on international public health.

Red Cross/Red Crescent

Humanitarian organizations that provide emergency aid, disaster relief, and health services.

Commonality with WHO

All focus on health, humanitarian aid, and work globally to protect human lives and dignity.

INGO's

Non-profit groups that operate internationally (e.g., Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders).

Main Purpose of INGO's

Provide aid, advocate for human rights, and address global issues like poverty, health, and education.

WCIP

World Council of Indigenous Peoples, which Canada supports due to its large Indigenous population.

L'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie

Promotes French language and culture—Canada has a significant French-speaking population (especially in Quebec).

Arctic Council

Focuses on issues facing the Arctic (e.g., climate change, Indigenous rights).

Arctic Sovereignty

The authority and control over territory in the Arctic region.

Importance of Arctic Sovereignty

The Arctic holds valuable resources (like oil and gas), new shipping routes, and is crucial for national security and Indigenous rights.

UN

An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, human rights, and development.

Purpose of the UN

Maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, and promote social progress and human rights.

Predecessor Organization of the UN

The League of Nations (established after WWI but failed to prevent WWII).

UNICEF

Supports children and education.

UNESCO

Promotes education, science, and culture.

UNHCR

Assists refugees.

WFP

Provides food aid.

UNDP

Focuses on development and poverty reduction.

Peacekeeping

Military and civilian personnel are deployed to maintain peace after a ceasefire.

Peacemaking

Diplomatic efforts to end conflict, often before or during violent conflict.

Internationalism

Cooperation among nations to achieve common goals like peace, trade, and human rights.

Liberal Internationalism

Promotes democracy, human rights, and rule of law through international cooperation and institutions.

Hegemonic Internationalism

A dominant power (or group of powers) imposes its values or control over others—can be positive or negative depending on the context.

Revolutionary Internationalism

Belief that conflict and revolution are necessary to achieve political or social change on a global scale.

Isolationism

A policy of avoiding involvement in international affairs or alliances.

Bilateralism

Agreements or cooperation between two countries (e.g., trade deals).

Unilateralism

One country acts independently without seeking support or consent from others.

Multilateralism

Multiple countries working together on issues (e.g., through the UN or WTO).

Supranationalism

Nations voluntarily give up some control to a higher authority (e.g., EU) to achieve collective goals.