THE UNITED NATIONS

Objectives

Students will explore the UN website to identify the components of the United Nations

Students will identify the main bodies of the UN to provide basic knowledge on this international organization

WARM UP

Which organization’s goals were international peace & security, and an improved standard of living?

United Nations

Helps stabilize international relations and

monitor global events.

History Post WWI- League of

Nations Post WWII- Yalta

Conference Oct 24, 1945- 50 charter

nations

General UN Membership

193 member states “Peace loving nations”

NYC: “Sessions” Sept-Dec

Pay dues (% world wealth)2012-13 Budget ($5.5 b) Peacekeeping costs different ($7.3

b)

Provide troops for UN activities

Activity: UN Webquest

Using your laptop, access the UN website at www.un.org.

Click “Welcome” (English option, otherwise you will enter the site in another language)

Follow directions on the Webquest worksheet

Closure

What is the significance of the UN? (What is it’s importance?)

Objectives

Students will explore the UN website to identify the components of the United Nations

Students will identify the main bodies of the UN to provide basic knowledge on this international organization

Day 2: Warm Up

Read the quote and reflect upon its meaning. Be prepared to defend your thinking.

Goals of the U.N. Maintain international

peace & security Put down threats to

peace & aggressive acts

Promote respect for international law

Protect human rights and freedoms

Encourage social and economic progress (raise SOL)

Webquest Review

Have out your webquest to review the main bodies of the UN!

Structure of the UN

General Assembly

Security Council

Secretariat Economic and

Social Council Court of Justice

Ban Ki-moon: S. Koreahttp://www.un.org/en/

General Assembly

Purpose: Open, deliberative forum

Membership: All member nations (193) 1 vote per delegation 2/3rd vote to pass resolutions/mandates

Function/Powers: Elect members of other organs Debate issues and make (non-binding)

recommendations Approve budget and spending Suspend or revoke membership

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFU2sahSD94&feature=player_embedded

Security Council

Purpose: Maintain peace and security

Membership: 5 permanent members (China, France, Britain,

US, Russia), 10 non-perm members (elected 2 yr terms by

GA) 9/15 votes to take action, including all 5 perm

Function/Powers: Investigate and mediate disputes (binding

decisions) Apply political and economic sanctions Take military action when necessary

Secretariat

Purpose: Carry out daily operations

Membership: Secretary General (Ban Ki-moon) – 5 yr ~50K+ workers in various agencies and

offices (NYC main)

Function/Powers: Administer programs and policies Create press releases

Economic and Social Council

Purpose: Promote higher standard of living, econ and social progress

Membership: 54 members- regional representation 3 year terms 1 vote per nation

Function/Powers: Formulate policy Discuss & Initiate studies concerning econ/soc

issues Call international summits (mtgs)

International Court of Justice

Purpose: Settle disputes of international law

Membership: 15 Justices (independent once elected) 9 year terms Peace Palace (The Hague, Amsterdam)

Function/Powers: Nations submitting disputes agree to decisions Advise organs on legal questions

Trusteeship Council

Purpose: Oversee “trust territories” (11 nations w/out govt following WW2)

Membership: 5 Perm Security Nations

Function: None, all territories est self-govt eventually

Activity: Match that UN Main Body

You and a partner will all receive a playing card and a set of mini cards with the a UN Main Body written on it.

The player’s card has 25 statements written in small squares on it

You need to identify which UN Main Body relates to each statement. When you figure it out place the UN Main Body card on the statement that correlates (relates) to it.

Continue to do this until you have finished.

UN: A Love-Hate Affair

Students will be placed into small groups They will read the article as a group and

summarize the main points of the article They will reflect upon the meaning of the

article

What is your opinion of the UN after you read this article from 2005? Why do you think this way?

Closure

From what you know now about the UN, what is your opinion of this organization?

Homework

Read the UN Preamble found at: http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

Respond to the wiki post on the class wiki under the

“Introduction” tab Click the

discussion and respond