Social issues are moral problems that affect a member or members of a society directly or indirectly. Some of these issues include poverty, divorce, bullying, civil rights, corruption, pornography, abortion, abuse, crime, and education.

Examples:

•Abortion•The Death Penalty •Poverty•Infectious Diseases•Overpopulation•Immigration•Gun Control •Gay Marriage

The United Nations was founded in 1945 . In the original charter, the members pledged the following…

“To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime… brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women of nations large and small, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.”

The UN , then, has two chief goals: peace and human dignity.

The United Nations has a number of agencies that function under its direction. These include the United Nations Educational, Scientific , and Cultural Organization, The World Health Organization, and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.

All of these agencies have had success in providing aid to address economic and social problems .

The UN has also provided a valuable service in organizing international conferences on important issues such as population growth and poverty.

Issues addressed by Agenda 21 include poverty, changing patterns of production and consumption, overpopulation, managing natural resources, protecting the atmosphere, oceans and biodiversity, preventing deforestation, and

promoting sustainable agriculture.

Agenda 21 is a document resulting from the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development

detailing proposals for action in social and economic areas.

Governments agreed that: “No nation can achieve this on its own. Together we

can — in a global partnership for sustainable development.”

1993: The UN Commission on Sustainable Development

Supports and encourages actions by governments, business, industry and non-governmental groups to bring about the social and economic changes needed for sustainable development.

Promotes dialogue and builds partnerships between governments and the major groups which are seen as key to achieving sustainable development worldwide.

Sustainable development: Meeting the needs of humans and protecting the environment.

Source: UNESCO

Non Governmental Organizations include professional, business, and cooperative organizations; foundations; religious, peace, and disarmament groups. The NGO’s work to -- limiting or the reduction of armed forces and weapons; youth and women’s organizations ; environmental and human rights groups; and research institutes.

According to educator Elise Boulding, “the existence of these groups are an important instrument in the cultivation of global perspectives.”

The Women's Environment & Development Organization (WEDO) is an international non-governmental organization based in New York.

It was founded in 1990 by U.S. congresswoman Bella Abzug and Mim Kelber to focus on women’s issues in the United Nations.

Gender equality is a central issue for WEDO.