The United Nations: Promoting Global Peace and Development
The United Nations, established in 1945, aims to maintain global peace and security, foster development, and uphold human rights. With 193 member states, it has grown significantly since its inception. The UN's structure includes six principal organs, each with specific functions, such as the Security Council's role in peacekeeping and the UNDP's efforts in development. The UN Global Compact encourages corporate sustainability aligned with the SDGs.
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Establishment of the United Nations and Its Historical Context
The United Nations (UN) was officially established on October 24, 1945, after the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco. The UN was conceived during the devastation of World War II, with the primary aim of preventing future global conflicts. It succeeded the League of Nations, which was created in 1920 in the aftermath of World War I to maintain world peace. However, the League failed to prevent aggression by Axis powers, lacked enforcement mechanisms, and suffered from the non-participation of key nations, including the United States, which contributed to its inability to stop the march towards World War II.Organizational Structure and Principal Functions of the United Nations
The United Nations is composed of six principal organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the International Court of Justice, the Economic and Social Council, the Secretariat, and the now largely defunct Trusteeship Council. The General Assembly is a deliberative body with universal representation, where each of the 193 member states has one vote. The Security Council, with five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten non-permanent members, is charged with maintaining international peace and security and has the unique ability to make binding decisions that member states are obligated to comply with. The International Court of Justice settles legal disputes submitted by states and gives advisory opinions on legal questions. The Economic and Social Council works to promote international economic and social cooperation and development. The Secretariat, led by the Secretary-General, provides studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN for its meetings and carries out tasks as directed by the UN's other organs. The Trusteeship Council was established to oversee the administration of trust territories as they transitioned to self-government or independence, but it suspended operations in 1994 upon the independence of Palau, the last remaining trust territory.Expansion and Diversity of United Nations Membership
The United Nations began with 51 charter members and has grown to 193 member states, reflecting a significant expansion in global participation and diversity. The UN's inclusive approach allows for membership of sovereign states regardless of their political, economic, or social systems, which contrasts with the League of Nations that had more restrictive criteria. However, some territories and regions, such as Taiwan and Kosovo, are not UN members due to the complex international politics surrounding their recognition as independent states.The Charter of the United Nations and Its Foundational Goals
The Charter of the United Nations, signed on June 26, 1945, is the foundational treaty of the organization. It sets forth the UN's purposes, which include maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, achieving international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all. The Charter obligates member states to settle their international disputes by peaceful means and to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.The United Nations' Contributions to Development and Humanitarian Assistance
The United Nations has been a central force in promoting international development and providing humanitarian aid. The UN Development Programme (UNDP), founded in 1965, partners with countries around the world to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable human development. The UNDP played a key role in formulating the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and later the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have provided a global framework for nations to address critical challenges such as poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination against women.The United Nations Global Compact and the Promotion of Corporate Responsibility
Launched in 2000, the United Nations Global Compact is a voluntary initiative that calls on companies worldwide to align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption. As the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, the Global Compact seeks to mobilize a global movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders to create the world we want. It supports companies to do business responsibly by aligning their strategies and operations with the principles, and to take strategic actions to advance broader societal goals, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with an emphasis on collaboration and innovation.Want to create maps from your material?
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Location of UN founding conference
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UN's predecessor and its failure
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3
Reason for League of Nations' ineffectiveness
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4
The ______, a body with universal representation, allows each of its 193 member states to cast one vote.
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5
The ______, consisting of five permanent and ten non-permanent members, is tasked with ensuring global peace and security.
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6
The ______ ceased operations in 1994 following Palau's independence, the last trust territory under its supervision.
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7
UN's membership criteria vs. League of Nations
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8
Status of Taiwan and Kosovo in the UN
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9
UN's approach to global diversity
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10
The foundational treaty of the ______, known as the Charter, was signed on ______.
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11
Member states of the UN are required to resolve their disputes peacefully and must not threaten or use force against another state's ______ or ______.
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12
UNDP Founding Year
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13
MDGs vs SDGs
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UNDP's Role in Global Goals
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15
The Global Compact, the world's largest ______ sustainability initiative, encourages companies to support societal goals like the ______ through responsible business operations and ______.
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