ITS YOUR WORLD © 2011 Biba S. Kavass. OBJECTIVES Why was the United Nations created? Main Purposes Brief History Facts at a Glance Main Bodies Specialized

IT’S YOUR WORLD

© 2011 Biba S. Kavass

OBJECTIVESWhy was the United Nations created?Main PurposesBrief HistoryFacts at a GlanceMain BodiesSpecialized AgenciesFundamental Issues


WHY WAS THE UN CREATED?

Created as an international peacekeeping organization to prevent another disastrous and costly war such as World War II.


MAIN PURPOSES OF UNTo keep peace throughout the world; To develop friendly relations among nations; To help nations work together to improve the

lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms;

To be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals.

SOURCE: www.un.org


BRIEF HISTORY OF UNLeague of Nations – Founded after WWI to keep peace

and prevent another world war – 57 countries joined but US never did – disbanded at beginning of WWII

1944 – US President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin met to develop a new international organization

1945 – Representatives from 50 countries met in San Francisco and signed the charter for the United Nations (Poland not present but considered original member).

SOURCE: www.un.org


FACTS AT A GLANCE Headquartered in New York City – but land and

building are considered “international territory” UN European Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland 192 member states Senior Officer is Secretary-General Has its own flag, post office, and postage stamps UN Flag and Emblem – olive branch as sign of peace 6 official languages spoken at UN – Arabic, Chinese,

English, French, Russian, and Spanish

SOURCE: www.un.org


MAIN BODIES OF UN General Assembly – forum for all member states to meet and discuss international

issues

Security Council – maintains international peace and security – serves as a mediator and investigator (if necessary) – can issue cease-fire initiatives and send UN peace-keeping forces

Economic & Social Council – promotes standards of living, economic and social progress, cultural and educational rights, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms

Trusteeship Council – activities suspended – no longer any “trust” territories

International Court of Justice – located in The Hague in Netherlands – settles legal disputes between UN member states

Secretariat – carries out administrative operations for UN – 44,000 civil workers around the world

SOURCE: www.un.org


SPECIALIZED AGENCIES International Monetary Fund (IMF) Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for

Refugees (UNHCR) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT) United Nations World Food Program(WFP) World Bank Group World Health Organization (WHO) Additional agencies and committees

SOURCE: www.un.org


ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Assist in alleviating poverty

Create a healthy and educated labor force

Protect limited resources

Develop a global infrastructure for industry and commerce

SOURCE: Docalavich, H. (2007). The un and the global marketplace. Broomall, PA: Mason Crest Publishers, Inc


ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UNDP – United Nations Development Program

Global development network Connects countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help

create solutions to global and national development challenges Assists developing countries in procuring aid

UNIDO – United Nations Industrial Development Organization Promotes industrialization Delivers critical skills, information, and technology to promote

growth of employment, a competitive economy, and sound environment.

SOURCE: Docalavich, H. (2007). The un and the global marketplace. Broomall, PA: Mason Crest Publishers, Inc


FUNDAMENTAL ISSUESThe following are a list of some of the issues that the United Nations is currently

working on:

Sustainable Development Environment and Refugees Protection Disaster Relief Counter Terrorism Disarmament Advancement of Women Promoting Democracy, Human Rights, and Gender Equality Clearing Landmines Expanding Food Production International Health

SOURCE: www.un.org


UN BUILDING IN NEW YORK


UN YEAR IN REVIEW - 2010http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/

yearinreview/


REVIEW


NAME 5 ECONOMIC CONCEPTS THAT ARE ADDRESSED BY THE UNITED NATIONS.

REVIEW- POSSIBLE ANSWERS


NAME 5 ECONOMIC CONCEPTS THAT ARE ADDRESSED BY THE UNITED NATIONS:

1.Scarcity2.Wants and Needs3.International Trade4.Globalization5.Circular Flow of Economic Activity6.Population Growth7.Economic Development8.Poverty and Distribution of Income9.Allocation of Resources10.Role of Government

Documents

ITS YOUR WORLD © 2011 Biba S. Kavass. OBJECTIVES Why was the United Nations created? Main Purposes Brief History Facts at a Glance Main Bodies Specialized