Unit 3 Review United Nations

UN Fundamentals 

Origins of its founding:

  • Founded by Allied Powers after World War 2

  • Replaced weak League of Nations

  • Created under U.S. leadership

  • UN charter signed by 51 original members in June 1945

Current Secretary General: 

Antonio Guterres 

Members:

There are 193 current members 

4 Purpose of the UN: 

  • Maintain international peace and security

  • Develop friendly relations among nations

  • Achieve international cooperations 

  • Promote respect for human rights

UN Preamble: 

The Preamble of the UN Charter begins by stating the UN is determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. 

UN Structure: 

A system of interconnected entities, with its six principal organs forming the core. 

General Assembly:

  • Purpose: As the main deliberative and policymaking body, with functions including international diplomacy, setting budgets, and establishing laws. 

  • Members: All 193 members 

  • Vote: Each member has one vote 

  • Committer: A group of people appointed for a specific function, typically consisting of members the larger group that is subordinate to the General Assembly. Tasked with work on or solving one specific issue. 

  • Consensus: General agreement without a vote.

  • Delegate and Ambassador: Represent their countries in meetings at the United Nations.

  • Current US Ambassador to the United Nations: Linda Thomas-Greenfield

  • Resolution: Formal expressions of opinion or will of the Unites Nations as a single document. 

Security Council: 

  • Purpose: responsibility for maintaining international peace and security by keeping order in the United Nations

  • Permanent Members: U.S., U.K., China, France, and Russia 

  • Permanent Members Power: Veto power 

  • Non-Permanent Members: 10 members which are elected for 2 years term 

International Court of Justice (The Hague):

Prosecutes individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression

Secretariat:

Setting the agenda for the deliberative and decision-making bodies of the UN and the implementation of the decision of these bodies

Collective Security:

An international system where nation agree to a mutual defense pact, meaning an attack on one member is considered an attack on all, promoting a collective response.

World Health Organization:

Promote health and respond to health emergencies by providing global leadership, setting international health standards, and supporting countries in strengthening their health system 

Human Rights 

Definition: Universal rights inherent to all people, regardless of their race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, or any other status

Eleanor Roosevelt: Was important for redefining the role of the First Lady, becoming a tireless advocate for human and civil rights, and championing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Outlines the fundamental rights and freedom inherent to all human beings 

Number of rights: 30

Example: right to life, liberty, and security of person 

Backed in law: NO 

Geneva Conventions: 

  1. Protect wounded and sick soldiers in field

  2. Protects wounded sick and shipwrecked military personnel at sea

  3. Outlines the treatment of prisoners of war

  4. Covers the protection of civilians in occupied territory 

UN Successes/Failures: 

Purpose of UN Peacekeepers: maintaining peace and security, protecting civilians, and facilitating political processes

Criticism of UN Peacekeepers: ineffective mandates and operations, allegations of misconduct and sexual abuse, resource and funding constraints, and challenges posed by disinformation and evolving conflict types

3 successes: Peace, Ending famine, and Protecting the Galapagos Islands

3 failures: Rwandan Genocide, Srebrenica, and Khmer Rouge 

UN Political Spectrum: 

Left (Liberals): 

Strongly supportive of the UN

Multilateralists who want to work with others

U.S. has moral and legal obligation to aid the UN

U.S. should pursue global interest not just their own national interests 

U.S. should refrain from use force without approval from the Security Council 

Right (Conservatives): 

Can be highly critical of the UN 

Far Right Isolationists fear world gov’t and threats to U.S. sovereignty 

The Unites States, NOT The UN is the force to spread peace

U.S. should focus on national interest not global interests

U.S. should never defer to UN on military matters (doesn’t need their approval)

United Nations Goals 

Millennium Goals: 

Purpose: To create a global framework to collectively reduce extreme poverty and improve the lives of people in developing countries

Number: 8 goals 

List of Goals: 

  1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 

  2. Achieve universal primary education 

  3. Promote gender equality and empower women

  4. Reduce child mortality 

  5. Improve maternal health 

  6. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other diseases 

  7. Ensure environmental sustainability 

  8. Global partnership for development 

Sustainable Development Goals: 

Purpose: to create a global blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and planet by 2015

Number: 17 goals 

List of Goals: 

  1. No poverty 

  2. Zero Hunger 

  3. Good health and well-being 

  4. Quality education 

  5. Gender equality 

  6. Clean water and sanitation 

  7. Affordable and clean energy 

  8. Decent work and economic growth 

  9. Industry innovation and infrastructure 

  10. Reduced inequalities 

  11. Sustainable cities and communities 

  12. Responsible consumption and production 

  13. Climate action 

  14. Life below water

  15. Life on land 

  16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions 

  17. Partnership for goals.