1. Jamie Roder Anjana Venugopal
The United Nations
Jamie Roder
Anjana Venugopal

2. An international organization made up of most countries in the world, committed to promoting international cooperation, peace, security and economic and environmental development.
Important Documents:
The U.N. Charter
The universal Declaration of Human Rights
The U.N. Millennium development goals
What is the Organization?

3. Began in 1945, continuing today: 68 years old
Predecessor was the League of Nations
They are based on the same ideals, have similar purposes
The U.N. was created after the League disbanded for failing to prevent WWII
Originally only included 51 states, has expanded to 193
Age of Organization

4. “Maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.” (UN Homepage)
Peacekeeping: Keeping peace and preventing disputes from escalating
Peace-Building: Building peaceful international relationships
Conflict Resolution: Resolving conflicts between or within countries
Humanitarian Assistance: Promoting human rights/Giving humanitarian aid
Purpose

5. Organizations Representing U.N. Purpose
International Court of Justice
Resolves disputes between states
Economic and Social Council
Deals with economic and social issues
General Assembly
Represents the interests of member states
Serves as a forum for member states to discuss and decided on international issues

6. Who is Involved? General Assembly Membership Leadership
193 member states (out of 196 countries)
One representative for each state
President: S.E.M. Vuk Jeremić of Serbia
Some exceptions:
Palestine (observer state)
The Vatican
Western Sahara
Secretary General: Ban Ki-moon
“Chief Administrative Officer”
5-year terms
Symbolizes the U.N. and its values
Acts as a spokesperson for member states
Security Council
5 permanent members: U.S., U.K., Russia, China, France
10 non-permanent members (2 year terms)
President rotates each month between the 15 member states

7. Pros and Cons of Membership
Advantages
Disadvantages
Provides a place to discuss and resolve international issues
Gives small states a voice
Provides protection and support in times of emergency
Provides a state with international recognition, leading to respect
Members can help develop international law, and must adhere to it
Environment: Kyoto Protocol
Human Rights
States must pay a fee to be a member
Burden to poorer countries
Richer states do not necessarily reap a benefit proportional to their investment
The Security Council is not representative of most member nations or even current world powers
Does not have much power to act in times of emergency
Ex: Rwandan Genocide

8. International Impact Mexico Nigeria Russia China Iran The United
Kingdom

9. Mexico
Mexico pleads (to General Council) that other countries do more to help stop the drug trade
U.N. contributes to the protection of human rights
Committee on Migrant Workers
Committee against torture
Committee on the Elimination
of Discrimination against Women
Committee on the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination

10. Nigeria Environmental Protection: Oil Pollution Crisis
U.N. Environment Program conducts study to determine the levels of oil pollution in Ogoniland and surrounding areas.
Serves as a supervising presence to make sure that this issue is not ignored in Nigeria
Tests show that drinking water near oil plants contains unsage carcinogen levels determined by WHO
Capacity for Governance Program
Programs to increase government accountability
Economic Governance Program
Prioritizing resources for economic development involving fiscal policy and aid
Sustainability and Risk Management Program
Protection of the country’s resources
Private Sector Development
Program
Growing non-oil resource base and
promoting markets

11. Russia Member of the Security Council Poverty Reduction
Focus on investing in right areas and development of private industry
Crisis Prevention and Recovery
Promotes development, esp. North Ossetia
Energy and Environment
Promotes efficient use of
energy resources
HIV/AIDS
Increasing treatment
availability/options

12. China Member of the Security Council Poverty Reduction Governance
Promotes equal rights and fair pay
for migrant workers
Governance
Energy, Environment, Climate Change
Joint Green Development Plan; UNDP and Ministry of Science and Technology are introducing “green” farming techniques that also produce profit to rural farmers
Cooperation and Global Issues in the Global South
International Poverty Reduction Center in China uses the U.N. to promote relations between itself and other nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America

13. Iran Current large involvement in Iran’s nuclear issue
U.N. imposed economic sanctions: arms embargo, freeze on Iranian assets
Tension over human rights issues
Ex: U.N. urges Iran to release opposition activists from prison
U.N. focus on development in:
Environment and Energy
Gender
Poverty Reduction
Crisis Protection and Recovery

14. The United Kingdom Member of the Security Council
The U.N. rarely intervenes in the U.K. since it is stable and adheres to U.N. objectives
The U.N. can obligate the U.K. to contribute forces for U.N. missions

15. Works Cited
“About ECOSOC.” United Nations Economic and Social Council. United Nations. Web. <
“At U.N., Mexico Urges Countries to Increase Measures to Combat Illegal Drug Trade.” UN News Centre. United Nations. Web. 26 September <
“Cleaning Up Nigeria Oil Pollution Could Take Years, Cost Millions – UN.” UN News Centre. United Nations. Web. 4 August <
“Crisis Prevention and Recovery.” UNDP: Russian Federation. Web. <
“History of the United Nations.” U.N. History Home. United Nations. Web. <
“Iran.” UNDP: Iran. Web. <
“Main Bodies.” Main Bodies. United Nations. Web. <

16. Works Cited
“Mexico.” United Nations Human Rights. Web <
“Nigeria.” UNDP: Nigeria. Web. <
“Quick Facts and Success Stories.” Millennium Development Goals: We Can End Poverty United Nations. Web. <
“The Role of the Secretary General.” Secretary-General: Ban Ki-moon. United Nations. Web <
“Russian Federation.” UNDP: Russian Federation. Web. <
“UN Human Rights Experts Urge Iran to Release Detained Opposition Activists.” UN News Centre. United Nations. Web. 11 February <
“Welcome to UNDP China.” UNDP: China. Web <