The United Nations

Complete this assignment to gain background knowledge on the United Nations. To begin, open an Internet browser and
navigate to the United Nations home page at http://www.un.org/en/index.shtml. Then, scroll down to the section
called The U.N. and, and click on CyberSchoolbus. Read the article there and respond to the items below:
1. Explain the meaning of the U.N. emblem.
Show the world held in the olive branches 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?
General assembly is the closest thing to a world parliament.
4. Does the General Assemblys vote matter? Why or why not?
No because the assemblys decisions become resolutions that carry the weight of world governmental opinion.

5. What is unique about the U.N.s headquarters?
The land and buildings are international territory. The United States has its six own flags. Its own post office and it
own postage stamps. Six official languages are used in the United Nations.

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 centre for helping nations achieve these aims.


7. Identify at least two challenges that exist in following the U.N. principles.

All member states have sovereign equality.
Countries must try to settle their differences by peaceful means.

8. What was the League of Nations, and how does it relate to the U.N.?
The league was created because a number of people in France, South Africa, and the Uk and the US believed that a
world organization of nations could keep the peace and prevent a repetition of the horrors of the 1914-18 war in
Europe.

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

The league discussed economic problems
The league also spoke several languages which unified the group.

10. Why did the League of Nations fail? Identify at least two reasons.

When the Second World War unfolded it became clear the league has failed in its chief aim of keeping the
peace.
It depended on its members contributions; and its member were not willing to use sanctions, economic or
military.

11. In what year was the U.N. created? _October 24, 1945 What was happening at that time? The end of 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? The league had similar cause
and drive, but it was disorganized and flawed.


14. What is the U.N.s Security Council, and what countries are involved in it? China France UK USSR and the US. The
Security Council discusses problems in the world.
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.

Because the power to veto is given to all countries.
They werent ensuring peace.
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. Taiwan and Vatican still a non-members.


17. How is the U.N. funded?
The member nations contribute to the cost of the UN.


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 main forum for debate. Each country has one vote
Security Council

Tasked with ensuring global peace and
security.
China France Russia the UK and the US
Economic and Social
Council
The council super-heads the UNs economic,
social, humanitarian and cultural activities.
54 members are elected by the general
assembly
International Court of
Justice (World Court)
Settling legal disputes submitted to it by
states. The main judicial body of the UN
15 judges are elected by the general
assembly and the security council.
Secretariat

Undertakes the day to day work of the UN,
administering the programmers and polices of
the organization.
Work includes research, translation, and
media reactions.
Trusteeship Council

Council administered the UNs trust
territories.
Made up of 5 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).

International Atomic Energy Agency- UNs nuclear watchdog, based in Vienna.
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia- set up to try those suspected of war crimes in the
former Yugoslavia, based in The Hague.
Unicef
UNDP

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? Secretary- General: Ban Ki-moon. Is counter balanced the
strengths of the UN because he is not part of the United Nations.
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 the future of the UN will continue to better the League of Nations. The League of Nations will keep doing
what they have been doing by keeping peace and controlling conflicts that may cause trouble. The United Nations
does have a place in todays world, by discussing problems and solving them without a war or greater cause. I
believe that the League of Nations have been doing a good job by again keeping peace throughout the globe. United
Nations has ensured that there will not be a World War 3. The United Nations should do something about Russia
because they keep using the veto when the United Nations try to do something about Russia. Thats what the UN
can improve its position by doing something about Russias behavior.