United Nations Study Guide

The United Nations Est’d in 1945 Est’d in 1945 Predecessor: League of Nations Predecessor: League of Nations Top priority: preserve peace Top priority: preserve peace HQ: New York City HQ: New York City

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon From Republic of Korea (aka South Korea) From Republic of Korea (aka South Korea) Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade for ROK Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade for ROK Speaks Korean, English, French Speaks Korean, English, French

Basic structure of the UN The Secretary General The Security Council The General Assembly

The Security Council Security Council decisions require unanimous votes Security Council decisions require unanimous votes Permanent members can veto any decision Permanent members can veto any decision UN somewhat ineffective during the Cold War UN somewhat ineffective during the Cold War Why? Security Council may add permanent members Security Council may add permanent members Japan, Germany, India, Brazil would like permanent seats Why?

The Security Council: 15 total 5 permanent members 5 permanent members US US United Kingdom United Kingdom Russian Federation Russian Federation People’s Republic of China People’s Republic of China France France 10 Rotating members (2 year terms) 10 Rotating members (2 year terms) 2 Latin America 2 Latin America 2 Africa 2 Africa 2 Asia 2 Asia 2 Europe 2 Europe 2 Middle East 2 Middle East Presidency of Council rotates monthly, alphabetically in English Presidency of Council rotates monthly, alphabetically in English Current Members: 9/2011 Current Members: 9/2011 Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Colombia, Gabon, Germany, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa

The General Assembly 193 members 193 members Every country gets 1 seat, one vote Every country gets 1 seat, one vote Like a global town meeting Like a global town meeting All members pay dues All members pay dues Based on national ability to pay, a % Based on national ability to pay, a % Meetings translated into many different languages Meetings translated into many different languages

Main Missions of the UN Peace & Security Peace & Security Prevent war through negotiation Prevent war through negotiation “Peacekeeping Operations” “Peacekeeping Operations” Monitor ceasefires, truces, etc Monitor ceasefires, truces, etc Canada wrote the book Canada wrote the book Economic & Social Development Economic & Social Development Rights for workers Rights for workers Working conditions Working conditions child labor child labor Migrant labor Migrant labor Rights for women, ethnic minorities Rights for women, ethnic minorities Promoting health issues Promoting health issues Water & sanitation Water & sanitation Nutrition Nutrition Preventative medicine Preventative medicine The UN paints its peacekeeping vehicles white to clearly identify them.

Main Missions of the UN Human Rights Human Rights Basic rights for all should be guaranteed Humanitarian Affairs Humanitarian Affairs Disaster relief, aid to refugees, HIV/AIDS, famine, drought, flooding International Law International Law What can we get everyone to agree to? Rules for: Immigration Borders Use of waterways Prisoners rights Etc. UN troops: The “Blue Helmets”

Stats 1945 = 50 member states 1945 = 50 member states 2011 = 193 member states 2011 = 193 member states The UN flag is light blue and shows the map of the world surrounded by the an olive branch. - Why the olive branch?

Challenges for the UN Taking decisive action quickly Taking decisive action quickly Members have different priorities, needs Members have different priorities, needs Decisions require compromise Decisions require compromise Peacekeeping forces Peacekeeping forces Nations voluntarily contribute troops Nations voluntarily contribute troops Troops work for UN, but also for their home country Troops work for UN, but also for their home country