Australia and the UN

The Security Council

The executive committee of the United Nations
It comprises the five permanent members (Britain,
USA, France, Soviet Union, China) and ten non-
permanent members elected every two years.
Makes the big decisions, which have to be
unanimous
The General Assembly
Each UN member is represented
and has a single vote.
The Assembly can debate any
issue.
It can pass resolutions that
represent UN thinking.

The Secretariat
This is the permanent body that
carries out the day-to-day work of
the UN.
It is a kind of international public
service.
Its head is the General Secretary,
currently Ban Ki-moon from South
Korea.

Specialised Agencies

World Health Organisations
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific
and cultural Organisation)
Food and agriculture Organisations
International Court and Justice
UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees
Many others.


What role did Doc Evatt play in the establishment of the UN?

Evatt joined the diplomatic councils of the allies during World War II. In 1945, he
played a leading role in the founding of the UN. He was President of the U.N. General
Assembly in 194849, and was prominent in the negotiations, which led to the
creation of Israel. He wrote in his memoirs: "I regard the establishment of Israel as a
great victory of the United Nations." He helped draft the United Nations Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and was also the first chairperson of the Atomic
Energy Commission.

How has Australia contributed to UNESCO?

Australia has been at the forefront of promoting the ideal of international
cooperation and communication on the basis of mutual respect.
Since1992, UNESCO has promoted the Memory of the World program,
strongly supported by Australia. Its purpose is to preserve for posterity historical
documents and artifacts from all cultures.
Between 1983 and 1986, former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam was Australias
ambassador to UNESCO in Paris.