1. The United Nations
Established in 1945 by 51 countries committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security.
Today, nearly every nation in the world belongs to the UN: membership totals 191 countries.

2. Member countries agree to uphold the UN Charter:
to maintain international peace and security;
to develop friendly relations among nations;
to cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights;
and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.

3. The United Nations has six main organs
The United Nations has six main organs. Five are based in the US in New York City:
The General Assembly,
The Security Council,
The Economic and Social Council,
The Trusteeship Council and the Secretariat
The sixth, the International Court of Justice, is located at The Hague in the Netherlands.

4. The United Nations is not a world government and it does not make laws.
It provides the means to help resolve international conflicts and formulate policies on matters affecting all of us.
All the Member States — large and small, rich and poor, with differing political views and social systems — have a voice and a vote in this process.

5. The United Nations promote respect for human rights
protect the environment,
fight disease
reduce poverty
define the standards for safe and efficient air travel
help improve telecommunications
enhance consumer protection.
leads the international campaigns against drug trafficking and terrorism.
its agencies;
assist refugees
set up programmes to clear landmines
help expand food production
lead the fight against AIDS.

6. The Millennium Development Goals
The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) –– form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions
target date of 2015

7. Goal 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Goal 2. Achieve universal primary education
Goal 3. Promote gender equality and empower women
Goal 4. Reduce child mortality
Goal 5 Improve maternal health
Goal 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Goal 7. Ensure environmental sustainability
Goal 8. Develop a global partnership for development