1. United Nations Presentations Summary
Global Issues
Fall Semester
2013
Mr. Brennan

2. History of the United Nations
➲

➲

➲

Why was it formed?
To promote world peace and prevent the
tragedies of World Wars I and II from happening
again.
When was it formed?
October 24, 1945
How many countries signed on at its founding?
51 countries representing all populated
continents.

3. Purpose of the UN
➲








➲
What are the current main goals of the UN?
Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty
Achieve universal primary education
Promote gender equality
Reduce child mortality
Improve maternal health
Combat disease like malaria
Protect the environment
Global partnerships to promote development
All of the above is aimed at Promoting peace and equality.

4. General Assembly
➲

➲




➲

What is the General Assembly?
The UN General Assembly is the only universally representative body of
the five principal organs of the United Nations.
What does it do?
discuss, debate, and make recommendations on a range of subjects
pertaining to international peace and security--including disarmament,
human rights, international law, and peaceful arbitration between
disputing nations.
It elects the non-permanent members of the Security Council and other
bodies.
Approves the UN budget--its most concrete role.
The Assembly also works with the Security Council to elect the judges of
the International Court of Justice.
How many current members are there?
193 (All with one vote – all are equal)

5. Security Council
➲





What functions does the Security Council have?
Ultimate purpose is to maintain peace. It does
through a number of functions such as
Use of military intervention
Ask members to apply sanctions
Regulate armaments
Investigate any dispute which would cause international
tensions

6. Security Council
➲


➲

Who are the permanent members? How many rotating
members are there?
China, France, Russia, U.K., U.S.A.
There are ten rotating members who serve two year
terms.
Describe veto power – Who has it? What is it?
Veto power is the ability to reject a decision the
entire S.C. Votes on. Only PERMANENT members
have it, and if even just one vetoes the motion will
not pass. Ex: 14 of 15 countries vote yes, but
France votes no, the motion fails.

7. Security Council
➲

➲



When and Why was the Security Council formed?
It first met on Jan. 17, 1946. It was formed to
address the major weakness of the League of
Nations which was that it had no military means to
enforce measures.
Why do many countries want the Security Council to be
changed?
Veto power gives to much power to the permanent members.
World power structure is changing, countries like Japan and Germany
are among the biggest funders of the UN.
Belief that permanent members make decisions to protect their own
interests.

8. ICJ
➲

➲

What is the ICJ? Where is it located?
The International Court of Justice is located in The
Hague, Netherlands
What is the role of the ICJ?
Settle disputes between members of the United
Nations that they have been unable to solve in
another fashion.
➲
If countries disagree with the ruling of the ICJ, what options do
they have?

There is no other option. Both parties agree to
accept the ruling of the ICJ before going to court.

9. IAEA
➲

➲



What is the IAEA and when was it created?
International Atomic Energy Agency was created on
July 29, 1957.
Describe the three missions of the IAEA
Peaceful uses: Promoting the peaceful uses of
nuclear energy by its member states,
Safeguards: Implementing safeguards to verify that
nuclear energy is not used for military purposes, and
Nuclear safety: Promoting high standards for
nuclear safety

10. UDHR
➲

➲

➲

What is the UDHR? Why was it created? When?
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was created as a response to
the atrocities committed during World War II.
Describe the rights guaranteed by the UDHR?
Rights cover numerous topics such as equality, education, slavery,
working conditions, religion, nationality, and torture and imprisonment .
Does it have the force of law?
Though not a treaty, it has been ratified by enough countries that it has
become a source of international law for member countries.

11. UNICEF
➲

➲


What is UNICEF?
United Nations Children's Fund
What does it do?
UNICEF tries to ensure children's rights are
maintained.
Provides essential support such as educational
supplies, food, and health care to children in
areas of great need.

12. UNIFEM
➲

➲





What is UNIFEM?
United Nations Development Fund for Women
What does it do?
Provides money and technical support to four
goals:
Reducing women's poverty and exclusion
Ending violence against women
Reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS among women and
girls
Supporting women's leadership in governance and
post-conflict reconstruction

13. WFP
➲

➲





What is the WFP?
World Food Program
What assistance does the WFP provide?
Provides Nutritious Food and helps people become
more self-sufficient as per its four goals:
Save lives and protect livelihoods in emergencies
Support food security and nutrition and (re)build livelihoods
in fragile settings and following emergencies
Reduce risk and enable people, communities and
countries to meet their own food and nutrition needs
Reduce under-nutrition

14. UNHCR
➲

➲


What is it?
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee
What is its function?
Safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees
around the world
As of 2007 over 20 million people fell under its
mandate.

15. Current Events
➲


You are responsible for being aware of current situations
that the UN is involved in (events will vary based on group
presentations).
Know an event the Security Council is involved
in and how it has acted
Know an event that the IAEA is involved in and
how it has acted.

16. Sources Used
➲
➲
➲
➲
➲
➲
➲
➲
United Nations, Accessed November 10, 2013. www.un.org.
The UN Refugee Agency, Accessed November 10, 2013. www.unhcr.org.
International Atomic Energy Agency, Accessed November 10, 2013. www.iaea.org.
United Nations Security Council, Accessed November 10, 2013. http://www.un.org/en/sc/
UNICEF, Accessed November 10, 2013. http://www.unicef.org/.
UN Women, Accessed November 10, 2013. http://www.unwomen.org/.
International Court of Justice, Accessed November 10, 2013. http://www.icj-cij.org/homepage/
United Nations World Food Program, Accessed November 10, 2013. http://www.wfp.org/.