The United Nations
The 20th Century was the century of global conflict, but out
of that conflict came the hope that humanity could prevent war by creating an
organisation of all nations working for peace.
The first attempt, the League of Nations, failed to prevent
World War 2, but out of that war the United Nations was born. Although it has
not been a complete success the United Nations has so far prevented another
global conflict and while it has its critics, many good things have been done
under the UN banner.
Activities:
- The
United Nations as was the League of Nations that preceded it, was founded
to serve what primary purpose?
- What
is The Atlantic Charter of the United Nations and who was present at the
time? Give an explanation.
- Forms
of aggression may not necessarily resolve disputes between countries. What
other means is available?
- How
can this relate to disputes within your school or home? How can they be
dealt with using similar strategies? Role-play various scenarios in these
settings. What conclusions do you draw?
- Conflict can be found in all levels of society. Look for evidence of this through The Mercury. Read the articles. In four columns, write down the main people involved, the problem, how it is being dealt with (strategies) and the outcome. Discuss as a class how you think the problem could be dealt with.
- Give
an explanation of what is meant by sanctions. What can the repercussions
are on any nation subjected to this?
- Given
the types of weapons available to nations today, do you think that any war
can be justified and serve a true purpose? Write your thoughts in
paragraph form and share your thoughts with the class.
- There
are many subsidiary organs and specialised agencies that work under the
umbrella of the United Nations. Select several of these and the roles they
have played in worldwide events.
- What
action do the "blue helmets" or United Nations peacekeeping
troops have to implement, to function according to the Charter?
- UN
peacekeeping troops are often unwelcome and are confronted by many
difficulties in their roles. Give examples of this in, Somalia, Yugoslavia
and Korea.
- Hold a class discussion or debate on the topic of the United Nations as a world government.
Websites:
United Nations
The official website of the United Nations. There is so much
material here that it may seem like you are unlikely to need any other source,
but the challenge is to find other sources that balance out the picture presented
by the UN itself. The United Nations Information Centre in Australia also has a
website at www.un.org.au
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
The website of the branch of the UN looking after the
intellectual state of humanity.
United Nations Youth Association of Australia
Offers what it calls a “significant voice” for the under
represented youth of Australia.
Human Rights Watch
A critical examination of the UN's committment to human
rights. Shows their strengths and their weaknesses.
Cyber School Bus
www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/index.asp
Educational site for schools with quizzes, games, free stuff for teachers and lots of useful, easily digestible information.
UN Environment Program website
www.unep.org
Lots of information about global environment issues. News
and in depth analysis of a range of environment problems.
Books:
The United Nations Since 1945 : Peacekeeping and the Cold War
By Norrie MacQueen
Looks at peacekeeping efforts within the broader history of
the Cold War and particularly of the United Nations as a key institution of the
time. Explores the parallel histories of superpower relations and of
peacekeeping. (Pearson Professional Education/Longman)
20th Century Perspectives: United Nations
By Paul Dowswell
Examining key events of the 20th century, each title in this series outlines the lead-up and aftermath, explores the issues, and introduces leaders and key figures. Titles of useful websites and further reading recommendations are given. (Heinemann)
United Nations at the Millennium
By Paul Taylor
This work provides coverage of each of the principle organs
of the United Nations including the Security Council, the General Assembly, and
the International Court of Justice. The book provides a survey of the life of
each organ since its inception in 1945. (Continuum International)
Troubled World- United Nations: Keeping the Peace
By Ivan Minnis
More than a straightforward narrative, this series provides
a thorough account of 20th century conflicts. Each provides biographies of the
leading figures involved and examined media coverage. (Heinemann Library)
The U.N. for Beginners
By Ian Williams
A look at how the UN should work and how it actually does
work. This is the United Nations simplified for outsiders and with the gloss
stripped away. (Writers and Readers Publishing)
War On Iraq
By Scott Ritter and William Rivers Pitt
Written by members of the team who worked to disarm Iraq
after the 1991 war, this book debunks some of the Bush administration's reasoning
behind their beef with Iraq. (Allen and Unwin)
A Bed For the Night- Humanitarianism in Crisis
By David Rieff
Looks at the problems confronting humanitarian efforts in the world today, including the programs run by the UN. (Allen and Unwin)
UN Milestones:
January 7, 1949
A UN envoy, Ralph Bunche, secures
a cease-fire between Arab states and the new state of Israel.
June 27, 1950
The Security Council calls on
Member States to help South Korea repel invasion from North Korea.
1965
UNICEF, The United Nations
Children's Fund is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
1966
The UN General Assembly declared
the South African occupation illegal and renamed it Nambia in 1968. (In 1990
independent Nambia entered the UN).
January 4, 1969
The International Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination comes into force.
June 1972
The first UN Environment
Conference is held in Stockholm, Sweden. This led to the establishment of the
UN Environment Program (UNEP).
1977
The UN Security Council made an
arms embargo against South Africa. Nelson Mandela's accession to the presidency
in 1994 marked the end of Apartheid.
8 May 1980
The World Health Organisation
declares smallpox eradicated.
10 December 1984
The General Assembly adopts the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment.
1990
Iraq invades Kuwait and the UN
uses diplomacy, sanctions and then collective military action to force Saddam
Hussein to dissolve his puppet government in Kuwait.
Until the 1990/1991
Iraq invasion of Kuwait, the UN
played a relatively secondary role in most world disturbances. These included
the Arab-Israeli Wars of 1967 and 1973, the India-Pakistan War of 1971, the
Vietnam War and the Afghanistan War.
31 May 1991
A cease-fire is brokered in the
16-year civil war in Angola.
31 December 1991
UN overseen agreement signed
between the warring sides of the El Salvador civil war - the Government of El
Salvador and FMLN (National Liberation Front).
1992
The UN Conference on Environment
and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, "Earth Summit,'', results in
treaties on biodiversity and climate change.
1993
The UN International Court of
Justice ruled that genocide is happening in Bosnia. UNPROFOR is deployed for
peacekeeping.
10 September 1996
The General Assembly adopts the
Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty as an effort to steer the world towards
nuclear disarmament.
2001
The World Food Programme (WFP)
distributes 4.2 million tons of food to 77 million people in 82 countries.
Today
There are presently 15 active peace-keeping forces in operation.