VCE Politics Unit 2 AOS 1: The UN

What are some examples of successful UN-run peacekeeping operations?

The UN has been operating in South Sudan since 2011, it ran a peacekeeping mission in Mali form 2013 to 2023.

What is some evidence that the ICJ is not completely effective?

It cannot compel a state to appear before it, and it has no appeal process. The ICJ dropped Sudan’s genocide case against the U.A.E in May 2025 claiming it ‘manifestly lacks jurisdiction’, because the U.A.E opted out of a clause that allows countries to sue each other when it signed the 1948 Genocide Convention in 2005.

What are some failures of the General Assembly?

Its resolutions are non-binding and it has failed to create global peace. It has failed to reach its 2030 sustainable development targets, and in 2024, 1 in 7 population was exposed to conflict, and there was more global conflict in 2021 than any other time in the previous 30 years.

What are some examples of worldwide violence and suffering?

Civil War in Sudan beginning in April 2023 led to more than 15,000 fatalities by Nov 2024. Violence in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup has resulted in at least 5,000 civilian casualties and the displacement of more than .3 million people.

What are some of the UN’s successes?

The WHO managed to eradicate smallpox in 1980, the UN has conducted over 70 peace keeping operations worldwide since 1948, the World Food Programme feeds 100+ million people annually in across 88 countries. In 2016, Belgian beer culture was recognised in 2016 by UNESCO, benefitting tourism to Belgium.

When was the UN founded and what were its aims?

It was founded on the 24th of October 1945 to ‘maintain international peace and security’ (UN Charter).

What are three successes to discuss for the UN?

Global health, peacekeeping and climate action.

What are three failures to discuss for the UN?

The existence of vetoes, the ICJ, and the Security Council’s peace failings.

What is an example of the recent use of a veto?

On the 4th of June 2025, the US vetoed action on ‘The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question’, due to its ongoing support of Israel. It has used its veto to protect Israel 49 times.

What are the 6 principal organs of the UN?

The General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, the UN Secretariat, and the Trusteeship Council.

What is the General Assembly?

The assembly that represents all 193 member states with 1 equal vote. It deals with international peace, but its resolutions are non-binding. It also sets and approves the UN budget through member contributions and appoints the non-permanent Security Council members, among other positions. It is run by a president who holds a one-year term, currently Annalena Baerbock from Germany.

What is the Security Council?

A council comprising of 15 states, 5 permanent members (U.S.A, Russia, China, the U.K and France) with a veto, and 10 rotating members elected for two-year terms. It passes legally binding resolutions and authorises peacekeeping missions, imposes international sanctions, and approves military actions.

What is ECOSOC?

The Economic and Social Council contains 54 members that are each elected for a term of 3 years. It coordinates economic, social and humanitarian work, and oversees the WHO and UNESCO.

What is the ICJ?

The International Court of Justice is the UN’s main judicial body. It consists of 15 judges, each elected from different states for 9 year terms. The ICJ cannot compel a state to appear before it, and has no appeal process.

What is the Secretariat?

The UN Secretariat is led by the Secretary General, currently Antonio Guterres, who runs for renewable 5 years terms. It oversees relief missions.

What is the Trusteeship Council?

A council created to supervise trust territories. It has been inactive since 1994, but continues to elect a president and vice-president.

What are two examples of ICJ rulings being ignored?

An order for Russia to cease military operations in Ukraine (2022), and when Israel’s occupation of the West Bank was found illegal (2024).