United Nations | General Knowledge Encyclopedia - Class 8 PDF Download

Introduction

The United Nations, often referred to as the UN, is a global organization comprising nearly all the nations around the world. As of the 21st century, it had over 190 member countries. The primary objective of the United Nations is to promote international peace and harmony. Additionally, it endeavors to alleviate poverty, reduce suffering, and enhance the overall well-being of people through various initiatives.

Functions

• The United Nations is involved in resolving conflicts between nations through peaceful means, and in cases of armed conflicts, it may deploy military forces to intervene and halt the fighting.
• After wars, the UN provides financial assistance to countries to aid in their reconstruction efforts. Additionally, it offers financial support to underprivileged countries to help boost their economies.
• The United Nations extends help to refugees, who are people fleeing their countries to escape danger or mistreatment. It also works towards safeguarding human rights, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948.
• One of the key objectives of the United Nations is to ensure equal treatment for everyone, regardless of factors such as race, gender, language, or religion.

Divisions

• The United Nations is composed of six main components: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the International Court of Justice, the Secretariat, the Economic and Social Council, and the Trusteeship Council, which is no longer active.
• The General Assembly serves as a forum for member countries to discuss various global issues affecting them. Each member nation has an equal vote, and important decisions require a two-thirds majority agreement.
• The Security Council deals with international disputes and proposes peaceful solutions. It consists of 15 member countries, with five permanent members—namely, the United States, Great Britain, France, Russia, and China. All five permanent members must reach a consensus before the Security Council takes action.
• The International Court of Justice, often known as the World Court, handles disputes between nations. Comprising 15 judges, any member country can present a case before the court.
• The Secretariat plays a crucial role in implementing UN decisions. Staff from almost every member country work in its offices, with the Secretary-General being the official spokesperson and head of the Secretariat.
• The Economic and Social Council comprises 54 members and focuses on enhancing various aspects of society, including healthcare and education worldwide. It collaborates with specialized agencies to accomplish its objectives.

History

• The United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union were the architects behind the establishment of the United Nations, seeking to replace the League of Nations, which proved ineffective in preventing World War II.
• Following World War I (1914-1918), the League of Nations was formed with the objective of maintaining global peace. However, it lacked the necessary power to prevent the outbreak of World War II (1939-1945).
• In April 1945, as World War II was drawing to a close, representatives from 50 nations gathered in San Francisco, California, to coordinate the formation of the United Nations.
• By June of the same year, they finalized the United Nations Charter, which served as the founding document of the organization.
• The official commencement of the United Nations' operations took place on October 24, 1945.