The document discusses the formation and structure of the United Nations. It was established in 1945 to address the shortcomings of the League of Nations in maintaining international peace. The UN has six main organs: the Security Council maintains peace and security; the General Assembly includes all members and makes recommendations; the Secretariat handles administrative work; the Economic and Social Council coordinates economic and social issues; the Trusteeship Council originally oversaw trust territories; and the International Court of Justice settles disputes between members.
2. The League of Nations, formed after WWI, was ineffective at addressing aggressions that led to WWII Countries that led the fight against Germany and Japan in WWII wanted to form a more useful, binding global government After World War II…
3. Established on October 24, 1945 4 main purposes: maintain international peace, develop friendly relations between nations, cooperate to solve international problems, center for collaboration of the actions of nations The United Nations
4. One major problem of the League of Nations was the lack of division of responsibility, no way to coordinate military or economic actions between countries UN was created with 6 major ‘organs’ to avoid these issues The Security Council, The General Assembly, The Secretariat, The Economic and Social Council, The Trusteeship Council, The International Court of Justice Organs of the UN
5. Responsible for maintaining international peace and security 15 countries: 5 permanent (US, Britian, France, Russia, China) and 10 non-permanent Makes binding decisions about international disputes Recommend mediations, send peacekeeping missions, impose economic sanctions and arms embargos Decisions must be passed by 9/15 members and all of the 5 permanent members The Security Council
6. Made up of every country in the United Nations Every country gets one vote 2/3 majority required Cannot make binding decisions- all agreements are only recommendations The recommendations of the General Assembly are seen as the moral authority in international disputes The General Assembly
7. In charge of the substantive and administrative (i.e. desk work) work as designated by other organs Also carries out research functions Mainly bureaucratic, but able to bring issues that threaten international peace and security to the attention of the Security Council, and can become involved in any area that can be considered a threat to peace The Secretariat
8. ECOSOC- coordinates economic and social work of the UN Also works with non-governmental bodies, making it a key connection between the UN and civil society Oversees set up of organizations to address economic and social issues internationally The Economic and Social Council
9. Initally created to help ensure that 11 established Trust Territories were provided the adequate means to guide them into self government and independence By 1994, all of these territories had achieved independence Currently made up of the 5 permanent members of the Security Council, but only meets when necessary The Trusteeship Council
10. Main judicial organ of the UN 15 elected judges Settles international disputes Participation by states is optional, but if a state chooses to go, the decisions made by the court are binding Also provides advisory opinions to other organs upon request The International Court of Justice
11. Choose ONE organ of the UN Research online: more details of its function and key officials within it its role within the UN and how it works with other organs Any sub-organizations it includes how it works to maintain international peace Write a 1.5-2 page narrative from the point of view of an official describing this information UN Organ Research Assignment
