1. 4.9 United Nations

2. International Cooperation
October 24, 1945 – 51 countries signed the Charter of the United Nations.
Today there are 193 member states.
According to the Charter, the UN has four purposes:
Maintain international peace and security.
Develop friendly relations among nations.
Cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights.
Be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.

3. UN Organization The UN is NOT: The UN is: A world government.
Make laws for all nations.
Force any state to take military or economic action.
The UN is:
Tries to resolve conflicts through Diplomacy.
Has influence rather than power.
Its advice reflects world opinion.

4. UN Organization Security Council General Assembly International Courts
United
Nations
General Assembly
International Courts
Secretary General and Secretariat
Economic and Social Council

5. UN Organization The General Assembly:
Each nation has five delegates and one Vote
Agreements pass with 2/3 vote.
Decides on Int’l activities. Ex: Peacekeeping, disaster relief.
The Security Council:
10 Non-Permanent Members, 5 permanent members (China, France, Russia, UK, US).
Canada has served 6 times.
Deals with any peacekeeping issues. Ex: Kosovo.
In the cause of Peace: Honouring 60 years of UN Peacekeeping - YouTube
Economic and Social Council:
Overseas education, economics, health, and human rights.
There are 54 members on the Council.

6. UN Organization Secretary General and Secretariat:
Secretariat runs the day to day operations. Staff of 9,000 people.
Sec. Gen. is the head of the UN – Ban Ki-Moon (S. Korea).
International Courts (reasons for trials):
Countries violate International Law.
War Tribunals.
The Hague (Criminal Court) hears the most serious cases (Genocide, Crimes against humanity, war crimes).

7. Canada and the UN Member since inception.
Lester Pearson (Canada PM ), created modern day Peacekeeping.
Pearson won Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for preventing war in Suez as a member of the UN.
Canada has contributed to more Peace Keeping Operations than any other country.
John Peters Humphrey (McGill University) organized the UN Human Rights Council.
Canada is the only country to pay off its debt to the UN.