The United Nation

1. Explain the meaning of the U.N. emblem.

The U.N emblem shows the world held in the olive branches of peace.

2. How many countries are members of the U.N. today? ______192________

3. How might you describe the U.N. General Assembly? What happens when it convenes?
Its the closest thing to a world parliament and when it convenes, or assembles, each
country votes on a certain subject, or idea.

4. Does the General Assemblys vote matter? Why or why not?
Each country has a single vote but the decisions are not binding. However, the decisions become
resolutions that carries the weight of their opinions.

5. What is unique about the U.N.s headquarters?
They have their own flag, its own post office and its own postage stamps. Six official
languages are used in the UN and although their main headquarters are in New York, they have
offices throughout the globe.

6. What are the main goals of the U.N.?
To keep peace throughout the world.
To develop friendly relations between nations.
To work together to help people live better lives, to eliminate poverty, disease and illiteracy
in the world, to stop environmental destruction, and to encourage respect for each others rights
and freedoms.
To be a center for helping nations achieve their aims.

7. Identify at least two challenges that exist in following the U.N. principles.
Many countries want to settle differences through war and violence.
Countries in the UN are involved in domestic affairs in different countries and feel the
need to help them even though its against the charter.

8. What was the League of Nations, and how does it relate to the U.N.?
The League of Nations was a world organizations of nations that tried to hold peace and prevent
domestic affairs between countries. The League of Nations is related to the U.N because they are
both trying to accomplish the same thing but they created different organizations.

9. In what ways was the League of Nations an example of early globalization? Identify at
least two.
Economic
Social

10. Why did the League of Nations fail? Identify at least two reasons.
Depended highly on their members contributions and power
Several big power countries never joined including the US.

11. In what year was the U.N. created? ___1945______ what was happening at that time?
_________________World War 2 __________

12. How many countries originally joined the U.N.? __________51_________

13. Why might the League of Nations be considered the forerunner of the United Nations?
Although they tried to accomplish the same thing as the U.N the League of Nations had less
countries involved which caused them to fail. Also even though the League of Nations failed the
U.N kept some of their ideas which helped form the U.N charter.

14. What is the U.N.s Security Council, and what countries are involved in it?
The Leagues council was turned into the Security Council and it is the only body whose opinion
binds all the other states. The five permanent states include China, France, the UK, the USSR
and the US. Then there are ten temporary countries that serve two terms each.

15. Why might the structure and operation of the Security Council be problematic? In other
words, what principle does it appear to violate? Identify two issues.
All members should obey the counselor
Countries must avoid using force
Go to the BBCs profile on the U.N. at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3159028.stm and scroll down to the
Members section.

16. Who is the newest U.N. member, and what noteworthy nations are not members of the
U.N.? Why has U.N. membership grown?
South Sudan is the newest member and the Vatican and Taiwan are yet to be members. It has
grown over the years because more countries have joined.

17. How is the U.N. funded?
U.N members contribute to the massive costs and the United States is the top contributor as of
now.

18. The chart below lists the six organizational bodies of the U.N. Complete the chart with
information about their purpose as well as details you find interesting or
important. NOTE: Youve already read a bit about the G.A. and S.C.
Organizational Bodies Purpose Interesting & Important Facts
General Assembly The UN's main forum of debate. Meets for three months of the
year
Security Council Is tasked with ensuring global
peace and security.
Overseas peacekeeping
operations.
Economic and Social Spearheads the UN's economic, Only has 54 members that are
Council social, humanitarian and cultural
activities.
elected through the General
Assembly.
International Court of
Justice (World Court)
Main judicial body of the UN and
is tasked with settling legal
disputes.
Has 15 judges and are selected
by the General Assembly.
Secretariat Undertakes the day-to-day work
of the UN
Has some 9,000 members
Trusteeship Council Administers the UNs trust
territories.
Made up of five permanent
Security Council members.
19. The U.N. also has separate organizations that work to meet its goals. List four different
groups or goals these organizations work to help or promote (NOT the names of the
organizations).
IAEA- UNs nuclear watchdog
Unicef- promotes child health, education and protection
World Food Programme- frontline agency in the fight against hunger
UNDP- committed to reducing poverty, developing infrastructure, and promoting democratic
governance

20. What is the title of the U.N.s leader, and who currently holds this position? How is this
position used to counterbalance the strength of some U.N. members?
The title is called secretary-general and Ban Ki-moon currently hold this position. He
aims to give voice to the world's poorest and most vulnerable people, and to strengthen the UN
itself, and corrupt procurement.

21. What do you feel is the future of the U.N.? Does it have a place in todays world? Why or
why not? What can it do to improve its position? Write a 5-6 sentence paragraph explaining
your views.
I feel that the United Nations is a very important part in todays world because of
many reasons. One because they are trying to promote world peace and end domestic disputes.
Another reason is they are trying to help the developing nations become more industrialized
nations by giving them support in the educational, financial, and humanitarian departments. In
order to improve its position the United Nations should only be involved in the disputes that
cannot be solved on their own. But if a situation between two countries can be solved quickly on
their own then the United Nations shouldnt try to get involved.