Birth, objectives and principles of the UN
In a school there is a committee that decides rules for all classes and every class must accept them. A shared body of this kind for the countries of the world is the United Nations.
The United Nations is an organisation created by sovereign nations coming together. Its main aim is to maintain international peace and security.
Key idea 1 : How was it founded? — During the Second World War the Atlantic Treaty was signed between British Prime Minister Churchill and American President Roosevelt on 14 August 1941. According to it a permanent mechanism for international security was to be set up after the war. Detailed discussions followed in conferences of 1944 and 1945. In 1945 the Charter was signed at San Francisco and came into force on 24 October 1945.
Key idea 2 : Objectives — The objectives of the United Nations are to adopt effective measures for international peace and security, to establish friendly relations among nations, to enhance security by solving international disputes, to safeguard human rights and freedom and to enhance economic cooperation internationally. At present it has 193 members.
Key idea 3 : Principles and headquarters — All member nations have the same status; there is no discrimination based on geographical size, economic or military power. Every nation should respect the freedom and geographical unity of others and solve disputes by peaceful means. The headquarters are at New York; English, French, Russian, Spanish, Chinese and Arabic are the official languages.
- Easy : A small country and a big country have equal status. — The first principle of the UN.
- Medium : Two countries settle a dispute by talks. — The principle of peaceful means.
- Exam-type : Safeguarding human rights. — An objective of the UN.
In the figure: Chronology up to the founding.
What happened before the founding of the UN? On 14 August 1941 Roosevelt and Churchill met on warships off Newfoundland and issued a joint declaration that was later called the Atlantic Charter. It stated some common principles for the post-war world. A curious detail: there never was a single signed copy of it.
What happened after the founding of the UN? The conference began at San Francisco on 25 April 1945. On 26 June 1945 representatives of 50 countries signed the Charter; Poland signed later, making 51 founding members. The Charter came into force on 24 October 1945, which is why that day is United Nations Day.
The textbook mentions the Charter being signed on 24 October 1945; other sources say it was signed on 26 June 1945 and came into force on 24 October. Write as per the book in exams. (check with the book)
41 treaty, 45 Charter; 24 October = United Nations Day.
The UN is not a world government; it is an organisation of sovereign nations.
Memory clue: Aims-Principles-Members. Memory clue: “41 treaty, 45 charter, 193 members”.
Spot the difference
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Treaty | Atlantic Treaty 1941 |
| Charter in force | 24 October 1945 |
| Headquarters | New York |
| Members | 193 |
Practice questions
- 1What is the United Nations?
- 2Write the reason behind founding the United Nations.
- 3State the objectives of the United Nations.
- 4Write three principles of the United Nations.
- 5What happened before and after the Charter came into force?
- 6What are the official languages and headquarters of the UN?
- 7Why are all member nations given equal status?
- 8Prepare a chronology of the founding.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1An organisation formed by sovereign nations coming together for peace and security.
- 2A permanent mechanism for international security was needed after the war.
- 3Peace, friendship, settling disputes, human rights and economic cooperation.
- 4Equal status; respecting others’ freedom; settling disputes peacefully.
- 5Before: the 14 August 1941 declaration; after: signing on 26 June 1945 and Charter in force on 24 October 1945.
- 6English, French, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic; New York.
- 7Because there should be no big-small discrimination in the body.
- 81941 treaty, 1944-45 conferences, 1945 Charter in force.
General Assembly and Security Council
In a school representatives of all classes sit in an assembly while a few select teachers take key decisions. In the UN too there is a large assembly and a small powerful council.
The General Assembly is the assembly of all member nations. The Security Council is a council of 15 members with the main responsibility to maintain international peace and security. Veto means the negative vote of a permanent member.
Key idea 1 : General Assembly — The status of all member nations, rich or poor, small or big, is the same. Every year the General Assembly meets in session from September to December and discusses issues like environment and disarmament. Decisions are taken by majority and are in the form of resolutions. The Assembly does not make laws; it is a world platform to discuss and make policy decisions.
Key idea 2 : Functions of the General Assembly — To elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council; to choose the Secretary General and the judges of the International Court of Justice in consultation with the Security Council; and to pass the annual budget of the United Nations.
Key idea 3 : Security Council and veto — The Security Council has 15 members: 5 permanent (America, Russia, England, France, China) and 10 non-permanent chosen by the Assembly every two years. Permanent members have veto power. For a decision the assent of all five permanent and four non-permanent members is needed; if even one permanent member says no the decision cannot be taken. The Council may suggest ending the conflict, imposing economic sanctions or deciding on military action against an aggressor nation. Reforms of the Council are being suggested and India is making efforts to get permanent membership.
- Easy : The Assembly passes a resolution on the environment. — A resolution, not a law.
- Medium : One permanent member says no. — The decision is not taken (veto).
- Exam-type : The Council imposes economic sanctions on an aggressor nation. — A step for peace.
In the figure: Members of the Security Council and veto.
As per the textbook a Security Council decision needs the assent of all five permanent and four non-permanent members and one negative vote of a permanent member stops it; write as per the book in exams. (check with the book)
Assembly = all; Council = 15; permanent = 5.
The Assembly does not make laws; it only passes resolutions.
Memory clue: 5-10-15 = permanent, non-permanent, total. Memory clue: “five plus ten makes fifteen”.
Spot the difference
| Point | General Assembly | Security Council |
|---|---|---|
| Members | All member nations | 15 (5 permanent, 10 non-permanent) |
| Decisions | Resolutions by majority | Veto applies |
| Main work | Discussion and policy | Peace and security |
Practice questions
- 1What is the General Assembly?
- 2Which are the permanent members of the Security Council?
- 3What is veto?
- 4Write any three functions of the General Assembly.
- 5Who elects the non-permanent members and for how many years?
- 6Why does the General Assembly not make laws?
- 7Compare the General Assembly and the Security Council.
- 8Why do you think reforms of the Security Council are being suggested?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1The assembly of all member nations.
- 2America, Russia, England, France and China.
- 3The negative vote of a permanent member; the decision is then not taken.
- 4Electing non-permanent members, choosing the Secretary General and judges, passing the budget.
- 5The General Assembly; for two years.
- 6Because it is a discussion platform that only passes resolutions.
- 7Assembly: all members and resolutions by majority; Council: 15 members and veto.
- 8So the present world is represented in a more democratic way (student’s view).
Other organs, agencies and development goals
In a school each department does separate work — library, laboratory, sports. In the UN too economic-social work, justice and administration are with separate organs.
The UN has six main organs: General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice, Trusteeship Council and Secretariat. Organisations working in specific areas are called specialised agencies.
Key idea 1 : Economic and Social Council and Secretariat — The Economic and Social Council has 54 members; the General Assembly selects them, each has a tenure of three years and each year one-third of the members are newly chosen. It discusses poverty, unemployment, inequality, women’s empowerment, human rights, global trade and health and suggests policies. The Secretariat carries out administrative tasks; its chief is the Secretary General, selected by the Assembly and the Security Council for a five-year tenure. He or she calls international conferences and compiles information.
Key idea 2 : International Court of Justice and Criminal Court — The International Court of Justice is the judicial organ of the UN and is located at The Hague in the Netherlands. It has 15 judges chosen by the Assembly and the Security Council, each with a nine-year tenure. It settles disputes between member nations, interprets international law authentically and advises on legal issues. The International Criminal Court is also at The Hague; it can prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Key idea 3 : Trusteeship Council, agencies and Millennium goals — After the Second World War undeveloped territories were placed under developed nations to be helped until independence; as that work is over, the Trusteeship Council’s work has ended. ILO, FAO, WHO, the World Bank, IMF, UNICEF and UNESCO are important specialised agencies. UNICEF works to make nutritious food and health care available to children; UNESCO promotes cooperation in education, science and culture. In 2000 member nations decided the Millennium Development Goals: ending poverty and hunger, primary education, women’s empowerment, reducing infant mortality, health of pregnant women, fighting AIDS and malaria and protecting the environment.
- Easy : Decision on a dispute between two countries. — International Court of Justice.
- Medium : Help for nutritious food for children. — UNICEF.
- Exam-type : Cooperation in education, science and culture. — UNESCO.
In the figure: Other organs of the UN.
What happened before the independence of Palau? After the Second World War the UN placed some territories under developed nations as trust territories so that they would be helped until independence. The Trusteeship Council’s first session was in March 1947. Territories such as Somalia (1960) and Nauru (1968) gradually became independent.
What happened after the independence of Palau? The last trust territory, Palau, became independent in 1994. After that, on 1 November 1994 the Trusteeship Council suspended its operations and Palau became a UN member in December 1994. The Council still exists on paper.
As per the textbook Palau became independent on 1 November 1994; the UN website says the Council suspended operations on 1 November 1994, about a month after independence. Write as per the book in exams. (check with the book)
54 = Economic-Social; 15 = judges; 9 years; 5 years = Secretary General.
The International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court are not the same; the latter prosecutes individuals.
Memory clue: 54-15-9-5 = council members, judges, judge years, Secretary General years. Memory clue: “fifty-four, fifteen, nine and five”.
Spot the difference
| Organ | Members/judges | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Economic and Social Council | 54 members | 3 years |
| International Court of Justice | 15 judges | 9 years |
| Secretary General | 1 | 5 years |
Practice questions
- 1Which are the six main organs of the UN?
- 2Write the functions of the Economic and Social Council.
- 3State the functions of the International Court of Justice.
- 4What are specialised agencies? Give two examples.
- 5How did the Trusteeship Council’s work end?
- 6How is the Secretary General selected and what are the functions?
- 7Write any four of the Millennium Development Goals.
- 8Compare the work of UNICEF and UNESCO.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice, Trusteeship Council, Secretariat.
- 2Discussing global economic-social issues, suggesting policies and promoting cooperation.
- 3Settling disputes between nations, interpreting law, giving legal advice.
- 4Organisations working in specific areas; e.g. WHO, UNICEF.
- 5All trust territories became independent; the last, Palau, in 1994.
- 6Selected by the Assembly and the Security Council; calling international conferences and compiling information.
- 7Ending poverty-hunger, primary education, women’s empowerment, reducing infant mortality.
- 8UNICEF: children’s food-health; UNESCO: education, science, culture.
Peacekeeping and India’s role
When two friends quarrel a sensible third friend keeps the peace and makes sure the quarrel does not recur. The UN peacekeeping force does this in the world.
Peacekeeping force means the UN force that creates favourable circumstances for permanent peace in strife-torn areas. India has always taken part in it.
Key idea 1 : Ways to keep peace — As per the Charter the ways to settle disputes peacefully are appointing an intermediary acceptable to both sides, using the legal procedure, appointing an arbitrator and, if needed, using military means to ensure the conflict does not recur. In modern times terrorism and racial and religious conflicts threaten human security, so this peace work has become very important.
Key idea 2 : Work of the peacekeeping force — In strife-torn areas security is provided along with help to progress towards peace. Tasks like starting schools, creating awareness of human rights, providing social, economic and political facilities and conducting elections are done. Besides these, prevention of conflict and mediation, actually establishing peace, implementing peace-protection measures and peace-building are also efforts of the UN.
Key idea 3 : The UN and India — India participated in the conferences held before the UN’s establishment. India brought issues like decolonisation, disarmament and racial segregation to the UN platform. In 1946 India was the first country to raise the question of racism at the UN. India has always led discussions on problems of undeveloped and developing countries. India has always sent troops for peacekeeping and has sent an all-woman force as well.
- Easy : Conducting elections in a strife-torn area. — Work of peacekeepers.
- Medium : India raised the question of racism. — India’s contribution.
- Exam-type : An all-woman peace force. — An Indian initiative.
In the figure: The chain of peace efforts.
What happened before India raising the racism issue? On 22 June 1946 the Government of India asked that the treatment of people of Indian origin in South Africa be placed on the agenda of the UN General Assembly. The delegation presenting India’s case before the Assembly was led by Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit.
What happened after India raising the racism issue? On 7 and 8 December 1946 the Assembly debated it and on 8 December resolution 44(I) was passed: the treatment of Indians there should conform to the Charter and treaty obligations. The matter kept coming before the Assembly every year and was merged with the apartheid item in 1962.
What happened before the all-women unit for Liberia? Indian soldiers and police have been taking part in UN peacekeeping since the 1950s. When the UN asked for a women-only police unit for Liberia, India chose a unit of women personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force.
What happened after the all-women unit for Liberia? In January 2007 this unit reached Liberia; it was the first all-women police unit in UN peacekeeping. With rotations it kept serving there until 2016, and UN officials said it encouraged Liberian women to join the police.
As per the textbook India was the first country to raise the question of racism at the UN in 1946. (check with the book)
46 = racism question; 2007 = women’s unit.
The peacekeeping force is not an army that fights wars; it helps create peace.
Memory clue: Prevent-Establish-Protect-Build. Memory clue: “first stop it, then set up, protect, build”.
Spot the difference
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1946 | India raised the racism question |
| 1950s | India began taking part in peacekeeping |
| 2007 | Women’s police unit in Liberia |
Practice questions
- 1What is a peacekeeping force?
- 2Write any three tasks of the peacekeeping force.
- 3State the ways in the Charter to settle conflicts peacefully.
- 4Which issue did India raise in 1946 and what followed?
- 5What happened before and after the Liberia unit?
- 6Write India’s contribution to the work of the UN.
- 7Why has keeping peace become more important in modern times?
- 8Write in your words the importance of women’s participation in peacekeeping.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1The UN force that creates favourable circumstances for permanent peace in strife-torn areas.
- 2Providing security, conducting elections, human rights awareness, starting schools.
- 3Intermediary, legal procedure, arbitrator and, if needed, military means.
- 4The issue of Indians in South Africa; resolution 44(I) on 8 December 1946 and merger with apartheid in 1962.
- 5Before: the request for a women unit; after: the first women unit in Liberia in January 2007 and service until 2016.
- 6Voice on racism, decolonisation, disarmament; troops and a women’s unit for peacekeeping.
- 7Because terrorism and racial-religious conflicts threaten human security.
- 8Local women gain trust and inspiration (student’s view).