Questions I had to answer about the United Nations.

1. Sammi Lesyk Humanities 20-1
March 14, 2011
UNITED NATIONS – Background Information – HOW DOES THE UN
WORK?
Instructions: Use the links provided to answer the questions which follow. Type your
answers directly into the space after the questions. Answer all parts of the question in
zyour own words. It will be easy to see if you have just copied and pasted information.
Due – Tuesday.
Link for the following questions
UN AT A GLANCE
http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/index.shtml
1. When was the UN created and by how many member states? /1
The UN was created in the year 1945, and officially came into existence on October 24 of that
year by 51 nations.
2. What were the 3 main goals of the original members of the UN as a group? /3
The three main goals of the original members of the UN as a group were: 1) maintain
international peace and security, 2) developing friendly relations among nations, and 3)
promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights.
3. How many member nation-states does the present day UN have? /1
There are 192 member nation-states in the present day UN.
4. List 6 of the “wide range” of world issues that that modern UN works on with its member
states./3
Only 6 of the "wide range" world issues that modern UN works on with its member states
inlcludes:
- promoting democracy
- economic and social development and international health
- clearing landmines
- environment and refugee protection
- disaster relief
- counter terrorism
5. Look in the bullet box on the right side of this page and list the 4 main goals of the
modern UN. /2
The four main goals of the modern UN include:
- To keep peace throughout the world
- To develope friendly relations among nations
- To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease
and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms
- To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals
The Secretary General of the UN
http://www.un.org/sg/priority.shtml

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6. What is his name and where is he from? Paste a picture of him below. /3
The name of the
Secretary General of the UN is Ban Ki-moon, and he is from South Korea.
7. What are four of his resolutions as General secretary of the UN? /2
Four of his resolutions as General secretary of the UN are: 1) lead by example, 2) seek
excellence in humility, 3) set the highest ethical standard, and 4) pursue dialogue and
engagement.
8. What are the Secretary Generals 8 categories of priorities for action? /4
The Secretary Generals' eight categories of priorities for action consist of: climate change,
disarmament, combating the financial crisis and poverty, global health, peace and security,
women, responsibility to protect, and UN reform and accountability.
Structure and Organization – an overview
http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/structure/index.shtml
9. Looking at the blue underlined headings on this page, what are the 6 main structural parts
of the UN? /3]
Looking at the blue underlined headings on this page, the six main structural parts of the UN
consist of: General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trustee Council,
International Court of Justice, Secretariat, and Specialized Agents, Related Organizations,
Funds, and other UN Entities.
General Assembly
http://www.un.org/en/ga/about/background.shtml
10. Under the heading “forum for multilateral negotiation” explain in your own words the 2
main functions of the General Assembly. /2
The main functions of the General Assembly basically are to gather all 192 members and
provide them an opportunity to discuss issues of the world. Also, every year from September to
December, the General Assembly help to establish international laws.

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11. Summarize the 8 main functions and powers of the General Assembly in your own words
(look at the bullet points). /4
The main functions and powers of the General Assembly are to:
- make suggestions regarding the general principles of collaberation for keeping international
peace, security, and disarment.
- make conversation relating to world wide peace and security and unless their is convtroversy
about the subject by the Security Council, can they make suggestions about it.
- unless there is a dispute or situation being currently discussed by the Security Council,
suggestions by any organ of the United Nations can be made regarding their powers and
functions.
- in the areas of international political cooperation, the development and codification of
international law, the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and international
collaboration in the economic, social, humanitarian, cultural, educational, and health fields, the
General Assembly may commence studies and suggestions to promote them.
- when there are any situations that have the ability to ruin relations between nations, the
General Assembly can make suggests to resolve and initiate peace.
- take the Security Council and other UN organs’ reports into consideration.
- in regards to the budget, the General Assembly takes into consideration and approves the
UN’s budget and they create the financial assessments of Member States.
- with recommendations from the Security Council and appointments from the Secretary
General, the General Assembly can elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council
and the members of other UN councils and organs.
12. The Search for Consensus – Read the final 2 paragraphs on the General Assembly
Page and explain their gist in your own words. /2
In the General Assembly, receiving a perfect or near perfect consensus when deciding on
important issues is rare. Nowadays, they have a sort of democratic system to make quite fair
choices, but it still requires a two-thirds majority of Member States.
Security Council
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council#Members
13. Who are 5 permanent members and the current 10 non-permanent members of the
Security Council? /5
Five permanent members of the Security Council are China, France, Russia, United Kingdom,
and the United States. However, the current ten non-permanent members of the Security
Council consist of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon, Nigeria, Colombia,
Germany, India, Portugal, and South Africa.
14. How do the non-permanent members get a position on the Security Council and how
long do their terms last? /2
The non-permanent members get a position on the Security Council being chosen by regional
groups, then confirmed by the United Nations General Assembly. Their terms usually last for two
years starting on January 1st, with five members replaces each year.
Functions and Powers of the Security Council
http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/unsc_functions.html

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15. In your own words type out the meaning of the 10 functions and powers of the UN
Security Council. /5
The meanings of the ten functions and powers of the UN Security Council are:
- With the principles and purposes of the United Nations, they maintain international peace and
security.
- When there is a possibility a international dispute may occur, they may investigate to help
prevention.
- At times of disagreement, they can suggest solutions to help establish settlement.
- When creating systems to help regulate armaments, they can formulate plans.
- To realize when a threat is about against the peace or there is an act of violence, and take
action.
- To not use measures such as force to get Members to prevent/stop aggression, but instead
ask them to apply economic sanctions or other such measures.
- When there is an aggressor, to initiate military action against them.
- To suggest new Members’ admission.
- In “strategic areas”, exercise the UN’s trusteeship functions.
- To appoint the Secretary-General to the General Assembly and together, elect Judges of the
International Court of Justice.
Economic and Social Council
http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/about/index.shtml
16. What is this council responsible for? (4 points) /2
The council is responsible for:
- promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress
- identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems
- facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation
- encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
17. What 3 powers does the UN Economic and Social Council have and what percentage of
all UN human and financial resources can it draw upon? /4
The three powers the UN Economic and Social Council have consist of making/initiating studies
and reports on these issues, assisting the preparation and organization of major international
conferences in the economic and social and related fields and to facilitate a coordinated follow-
up to these conferences. The percentage of all UN human and financial resources it can draw
upon is 70%.
International Court of Justice
http://www.icj-cij.org/court/index.php?
p1=1&PHPSESSID=d163efdf759ec64b3e338656dae4e143
18. Where is it located? /1
The seat of the Court is located at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands) and of the six
principal organs of the UN, it is the only one not located in New York (USA).
19. What is its main functions? /2

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It’s main functions are to settle, in accordance with the international law, legal disputes
submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by
authorized UN organs and specialized agencies.
20. How many judges does it have and how long do they serve for? /2
It has 15 judges and they serve for terms of nine years.
Secretariat
21. Who is the head of the Secretariat? What is the main function of the Secretariat? /2
The head of the Secretariat is the Secretary-General, who is Ban Ki-moon. The main function of
the Secretariat is to carry out the diverse day-to-day work of the Organization. It services the
other principal organs of the UN and administers the programmes and policies laid down by
them.
22. List 4 jobs that members of the Secretariat may perform as duties for the UN? /2
Four jobs that members of the Secretariat may perform as duties for the UN include:
- administering peacekeeping operations
- mediating international disputes
- surveying economic and social trends and problems
- preparing studies on human rights and sustainable development
23. How many staff did the Secretariat have around the world as of 2010? /1
As of 2010, the Secretariat had some 44 000 staff members around the world.
24. What is the gist of the oath that members of the Secretariat take? /1
The gist of the oath that members of the Secretariat take is to swear they will not seek or
receive instructions from any Government or outside authority.
25. Where is the UN’s headquarters? Where are 7 other places in which the UN maintains a
significant presence? /4
The UN’s headquarters is located in a distinctive complex in New York City, United States. The
seven other places in which the UN maintains a significant presence include Addis Ababa,
Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva, Nairobi, Santiago, and Vienna.