Chapter Notes: The United Nations

Introduction

• Two devastating World Wars in the 20th century led to the formation of the United Nations Organisation (UNO).
• The League of Nations after World War I failed, leading to the Second World War with immense destruction.

Formation of the United Nations

• Term 'United Nations' coined in 1942 during World War II.
• Established on October 24, 1945, in San Francisco, with 51 founding countries, including India.
• Headquarters in New York, with 193 member countries.
• UN Charter signed to promote peace and prevent future wars.

Objectives of the United Nations

• Maintain peace and security globally.
• Promote friendly relations among nations.
• Eradicate poverty and unemployment.
• Uphold human rights.
• Improve living standards worldwide.

Main Principles

• Primary goal is to maintain peace and security.
• Principles include respecting sovereignty, avoiding threats or force, and settling disputes peacefully.

Problems Faced by the UN

• Addressed issues like terrorism, civil wars, refugee crises, economic inequalities, and unequal wealth distribution.
• Efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and combat diseases.

Organs of the United Nations

• General Assembly:
  • Acts as a world parliament.
  • Each member has one vote.
  • Discusses global matters and addresses world leaders.
• Security Council:
  • Most powerful organ.
  • 15 members, five permanent (USA, UK, Russia, China, France) with veto power.
  • Main function is to maintain global peace.
• Economic and Social Council:
  • Addresses economic and social issues.
  • Provides aid to poor countries during natural disasters.
• Trusteeship Council:
  • Manages trust territories.
  • Dissolved in 1994 after the independence of Palau.
• International Court of Justice:
  • Settles international legal disputes.
  • Located in The Hague, Netherlands.
• Secretariat:
  • Executive branch headed by the Secretary-General.
  • Implements UN programs and policies.
  • Secretary-General nominated by the Security Council and appointed by the General Assembly for five years.

Past and Present Secretary Generals

Notable figures include Trygve Lie, Dag Hammarskjold, Kofi Annan, and Antonio Guterres.

UN Agencies

• Agencies provide specific services for the UN.
• WHO (World Health Organization), FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization), UNESCO, UNICEF, ILO (International Labour Organization) are examples.

India's Contribution to the UN

• Adheres to UN principles.
• Contributed armed forces to UN peacekeeping missions in Cyprus, the Middle East, Korea, and Congo.
• Opposed apartheid in South Africa.
• Criticized attacks on Egypt in 1956.
• Sent forces to Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and Sri Lanka for peacekeeping.

Conclusion

The United Nations plays a crucial role in maintaining global peace, promoting development, and addressing international issues. India actively participates in UN initiatives to contribute to a better and peaceful world.