The Contemporary World Notes

United Nations (UN)

  • Founded in 1945.
  • Promotes peace, security, human rights, and global cooperation.
  • Brings together 193 member countries.
  • Addresses global problems: poverty, conflict, disease, climate change.
  • Provides humanitarian aid and supports sustainable development.
  • Headquarters: New York City, USA.

Main Purposes of the UN

  • Preserve global harmony and safety.
  • Develop friendly relations among nations.
  • Promote and protect human rights.
  • Provide humanitarian aid.
  • Support sustainable development and fight poverty.

Major UN Agencies and Programs

  • UNICEF: Protects children's rights and welfare.
  • WHO: Promotes global health and responds to pandemics.
  • UNESCO: Focuses on education, science, and culture.
  • UNHCR: Helps refugees and displaced persons.
  • WFP: Fights world hunger.
  • UNDP: Supports sustainable development.
  • ILO: Promotes workers' rights.
  • FAO: Works to eliminate hunger and improve agriculture.

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

  • Regional organization for economic and security issues.
  • Founded on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand.

ASEAN Member States

  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cambodia
  • Indonesia
  • Lao PDR
  • Malaysia
  • Myanmar
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

ASEAN Aims and Purposes

  • Accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development.
  • Promote regional peace and stability through justice and the rule of law.

ASEAN Pillars

  • Political-Security Community (APSC): Ensures regional peace and a just environment.
  • Economic Community (AEC): Aims for economic integration as a single market and product base.
  • Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC): Focuses on realizing the full potential of ASEAN citizens.
  • Narrowing the Development Gap (NDG).

APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation)

  • Regional economic forum founded in 1989.
  • Promotes free trade and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

APEC History

  • Founded in 1989 to enhance regional economic cooperation.
  • Adopted Bogor Goals in 1994, committing to free trade and investment.
  • Expanded agenda to include environmental sustainability, innovation, and inclusive growth.
  • Responded to global challenges like the pandemic and climate change.

APEC Member Economies

  • Australia
  • Brunei
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • Indonesia
  • South Korea
  • Japan
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • New Zealand
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Russian Federation
  • Singapore
  • Taipei
  • Vietnam
  • United States of America
  • Thailand

APEC's Objectives

  • Achieve free and open trade and investment.
  • Reduce trade barriers and tariffs.
  • Enhance economic and technical cooperation.
  • Promote innovation and digitalization.
  • Foster strong, balanced, secure, sustainable, and inclusive growth.

APEC Three Pillars

  • Trade and Investment Liberalization
  • Business Facilitation
  • Economic and Technical Cooperation

European Union (EU)

  • International organization of 27 European countries.
  • Governs common economic, social, and security policies.

EU Establishment

  • Schuman Declaration (May 9, 1950) - initial idea.
  • Treaty of Paris (April 18, 1951) - created the ECSC.
  • Maastricht Treaty (Feb 7, 1992) - formally established the EU.

Key Founding Figures

  • Robert Schuman: Proposed European integration.
  • Jean Monnet: Architect of the Schuman Plan.
  • Konrad Adenauer: Supporter of European unity.

Major Treaties

  • Treaty of Paris (1951): established ECSC.
  • Treaties of Rome (1957): created the EEC and Euratom.
  • Maastricht Treaty (1992): officially formed the EU, introduced the euro.

Evolution of EU

  • 1950s-1990s: from coal & steel cooperation to economic and political integration.
  • 1993: EU officially formed.
  • 2002: euro adopted by many countries.
  • 2000s-present: 27 member states, working on climate and migration.

World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF)

  • Created in July 1944 at Bretton Woods.
  • Aimed at creating a more stable and prosperous global economy.
  • IMF: Helps countries with financial troubles.
  • World Bank: Focuses on long-term poverty eradication.

Red Cross

  • Founded in 1863 by Henry Dunant.
  • Philippine Red Cross (PRC) established in 1947.
  • Provides relief, health, and welfare assistance nationwide.

Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

  • Founded in 1954 by Muriel Jay.
  • Reorganized in 1986 by Nita Hontiveros-Lichauco.
  • Focuses on ending animal cruelty and promoting animal welfare education.

Gawad Kalinga (GK)

  • Began in 1995 in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City.
  • Founded by Tony Meloto.
  • Poverty alleviation and nation-building movement.

Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG)

  • Founded on October 21, 1974, during martial law.
  • Established by human rights lawyers including Senator Jose W. Diokno.
  • Provides legal aid to victims of human rights abuses.

Bantay Kalikasan

  • Founded in 1999.
  • Environmental arm of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc.
  • Led by Gina Lopez.
  • Focuses on environmental protection and sustainable development.

Foreign Aid in the Philippines

  • Financial, technical, or material assistance from foreign countries and international organizations.

Types of Foreign Aid

  • Bilateral Aid: From countries like the United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Germany.
  • Multilateral Aid: From World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nations (UN) agencies.
  • Humanitarian Aid: Given during emergencies.
  • Military and Security Aid: Supports training, equipment, and counterterrorism efforts.
  • Technical Assistance: Includes training, research support.

Purposes of Foreign Aid

  • Disaster Relief and Recovery
  • Health and Education
  • Peace and Security
  • Economic Development
  • Environmental Protection

Major Foreign Aid Donors

  • Japan: Infrastructure.
  • United States: Health, education, disaster preparedness, democracy promotion.
  • World Bank & ADB: Development and infrastructure loans and grants.
  • European Union: Human rights, education, rural development.

Benefits of Foreign Aid

  • Faster disaster recovery
  • Improved healthcare and education access
  • Economic growth through infrastructure
  • Strengthened diplomatic ties
  • Support for peacebuilding in conflict areas

Challenges and Issues with Foreign Aid

  • Dependency
  • Corruption and Mismanagement
  • Unequal Distribution
  • Tied Aid

Teenage Pregnancy Key Facts (WHO)

  • Approximately 21 million girls aged 15–19 years in low- and middle-income countries become pregnant each year.
  • Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for 15–19-year-old girls globally.
  • Adolescent mothers face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis, and systemic infections compared to women aged 20–24 years.
  • Babies born to adolescent mothers are at increased risk of low birth weight, preterm delivery, and severe neonatal conditions.

Causes of Teenage Pregnancy

  • Lack of information about sexual and reproductive health and rights
  • Inadequate access to youth-friendly health services
  • Family, community, and social pressure to marry early
  • Sexual violence
  • Lack of education or school drop-out

Physical Effects of Teenage Pregnancy

  • Higher Risk of Pregnancy Complications
  • Poor Nutrition and Health
  • Body Changes and Weight Issues
  • Postpartum Challenges

Emotional & Mental Effects of Teenage Pregnancy

  • Depression and Anxiety
  • High Stress Levels
  • Social Stigma and Isolation

Effects of Teenage Pregnancy on Future Goals

  • Interrupted Education
  • Limited Career Opportunities
  • Hindered Personal Development

Possible Solutions to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy

  • Comprehensive Sex Education
  • Open Communication with Parents or Guardians
  • Access to Contraceptives
  • Focus on Education and Goal-Setting
  • Community Mentorship Programs

Premarital Sex

  • Sexual activity between unmarried individuals.

Causes of Premarital Sex

  • Peer Pressure
  • Self-Esteem
  • Attitude and Information

Effects of Premarital Sex

  • Short-term: Emotional attachment, STIs, unintended pregnancies.
  • Long-term: Marital dissatisfaction, psychological distress, social challenges.

Advantages of Premarital Sex

  • Assessment of Sexual Compatibility
  • Improved Communication
  • Reduced Anxiety
  • Birth Control Practice

Disadvantages of Premarital Sex

  • Health Risks
  • Psychological Consequences
  • Social Consequences
  • Relationship and Marital Issues

Abortion

  • Medical procedure that ends a pregnancy.

Reasons for Abortion

  • Financial reasons
  • Timing
  • Partner and Family Issues
  • Social Stigma
  • Rape or Incest

Types of Abortion

  • Medical Abortion: Using medicines.
  • Surgical Abortion: A medical procedure that ends a pregnancy.

Physical Effects of Abortion

  • Period-type pains
  • Stomach cramps
  • Vaginal bleeding

Emotional and Mental Effects of Abortion

  • Guilt
  • Anger
  • Shame
  • Suicidal thoughts or self-harm

Prostitution

*Common synonyms:

  • "Aliw"
  • "hostess"
  • "sexworker"
  • "guest relations officer (GRO)"
  • "walker"
    • According to Prem Sharma Modgil - A prostitute is a female who agrees to make sexual or extramarital physical relations with any person, who offers money or any kind of help for such an act".
    • According to Eiliot and Merrill - "Prostitution is promiscuous and for money intercourse which has the lack of emotions"
    • ANTI-PROSTITUTION ACT OR SENATE BILL NO. 2341, SEN. PIA CAYETANO STATED THAT THE NUMBER OF WOMEN ABUSED THROUGH PROSTITUTION IN THE PHILIPPINES HAS REACHED 800,000.

Types of Prostitute

  • Street Prostitutes
  • Bar Dancer
  • Call Girls
  • Escort Girls
  • Roadside Prostitutes
  • Child Prostitutes
  • Fricatrice Prostitutes / Feliatrice Prostitutes

Nature of Prostitution

  • Occupation
  • Emotional Detachment
  • Client vs. Provider Needs
  • Barter System
  • Lack of Discrimination
  • Immoral and Societally Damaging

Main Reasons of Prostitution

  • Poverty
  • Under-employment and/or lack of employment opportunities
  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • Drug dependence and other vices
  • Lack of proper education
  • Peer influence/pressure

Effects of Prostitution

  • It is a stain on women.
  • A person becomes characterless who indulges in prostitution.
  • it is responsible for family and social disorganization also.
  • It has a bad impact on coming generation or their own children.
  • It is responsible for increasing the rate of crime.
  • It is responsible for increasing the number of AIDS patients.

Prostitution is legal in the following countries

  • Africa