1. 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 your 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
It was created on October 24, 1945 by 51 countries.
2. What were the 3 main goals of the original members of the UN as a group? /3
The 3 main goals of the original members were maintaining security and peace on
an international scale, developing more friendly relationships between nations and
promoting social progress, as well as improving living standards and human
rights.
3. How many member nation-states does the present day UN have? /1
Today the UN has 192 member nation-states.
4. List 6 of the “wide range” of world issues that the modern UN works on with its member states./
3
Human Rights, Gender Equality and the Advancement of Women, Disaster Relief,
Counter Terrorism, Clearing Landmines, International Health.
5. Look in the bullet box on the right side of this page and list the 4 main goals of the modern UN. /
2
Keep peace around the world; develop friendlier relationships between nations;
help nations cooperate to improve poor peoples’ lives, conquer hunger, disease and
illiteracy and encourage respect for other’s rights and freedoms; be the centre for
“harmonizing” nations’ actions to make these goals possible.
The Secretary General of the UN
http://www.un.org/sg/priority.shtml
6. What is his name and where is he from? Paste a picture of him below. /3

2. Secretary Ban Ki-moon from the Republic of Korea
7. What are four of his resolutions as General secretary of the UN? /2
Set the highest ethical standard, lead by example, play the role of harmonizer and
bridge-builder, seek excellence with humility
8. What are the Secretary General’s 8 categories of priorities for action? /4
Climate Change, Disarmament, Fighting Financial Crisis and Poverty, Global
Health, Peace and Security, Women, Protection Responsibility, 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]
General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship
Council, International Court of Justice, Secretariat.
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
It is a forum for multilateral discussion of international issues and plays a big part
in setting standards and codes of international laws.
11. Summarize the 8 main functions and powers of the General Assembly in your own words (look
at the bullet points). /4

3. 1- Consider and make recommendations on cooperation for keeping international
peace and security
2- Discuss questions about international peace and security
3- Discuss and make recommendations on questions about the Charter or about
the powers and functions of any part of the UN.
4- Start studies and make recommendations about every on how humans should
be treated, cared for, interacted with and rights.
5- Make recommendations on anything that might incite anger between nations
6- Deal with reports from the Security Council and other parts of the UN
7- Deal with the UN budget and make financial assessments of member-states
8- Elect UN council members and sometimes appoint the Secretay-General
12. The Search for Consensus – Read the final 2 paragraphs on the General Assembly Page and
explain their gist in your own words. /2
Each member-state has one vote but for important issues 2/3 of the UN must vote
with (or against) an idea while simple things only require a majority vote. Lately
they are trying to get votes by consensus, strengthening the Assembly’s decisions.
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 Permanent: China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States
Non-Permanent: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon, Nigeria,
Columbia, Germany, India, Portugal, South Africa
14. How do the non-permanent members get a position on the Security Council and how long do
their terms last? /2
They are elected by the General Assembly and their terms last 2 years.
Functions and Powers of the Security Council
http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/unsc_functions.html
15. In your own words type out the meaning of the 10 functions and powers of the UN Security
Council. /5
1- Keep international peace and security created by the UN
2- Investigate disputes or situation which might cause trouble on an international
scale
3- Ways of adjusting disputes or settlement terms
4- Come up with plans for making a system of armament regulations
5- Determine a threat existence or aggression act and recommend what should be
done
6- Call on members to apply economic sanctions, not using force

4. 7- Take military actions against an aggressor
8- Recommend new member admission
9- Use trusteeship functions of the UN where needed
10-Recommend the appointment of Secretary-General to the General Assembly
and elect International Court of Justice judges
Economic and Social Council
http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/about/index.shtml
16. What is this council responsible for? (4 points) /2
1- Promotion of high standards of living, full employment, economic and social
progress
2- Come up with solutions to economic, social and health problems on an
international scale
3- Facilitating educational and international cultural cooperation
4- Encouraging universal respect for freedoms and human rights
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 is starting or making
reports and studies on the issues above, assisting in preparations and organization
of international conferences in social and economic fields, and to facilitate a follow-
up to these conferences. They can draw upon 70% of human and financial
resources.
International Court of Justice
http://www.icj-cij.org/court/index.php?p1=1&PHPSESSID=d163efdf759ec64b3e338656dae4e143
18. Where is it located? /1
It is located at the Peace Palace in the Netherlands
19. What is its main functions? /2
Its main functions are to settle legal disputes submitted by States and to give advice
on legal questions from parts of the UN 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 9 years.
Secretariat
21. Who is the head of the Secretariat? What is the main function of the Secretariat? /2

5. The Secretary-General is the head. The main function of the Secretariat is to carry
out the work of the organization every day.
22. List 4 jobs that members of the Secretariat may perform as duties for the UN? /2
Peacekeeping operations, mediating international disputes, preparing studies on
human rights and sustainable development, inform world’s communications media
about the work of the UN.
23. How many staff did the Secretariat have around the world as of 2010? /1
It had about 44,000 staff worldwide.
24. What is the gist of the oath that members of the Secretariat take? /1
Don’t seek or receive instructions from any gov’t or outside authority, respect
“international character” of the responsibilities of the Secretary-General and staff
to keep from influencing them wrongly.
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 in New York and they maintain a significant presence in
Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva, Nairobi, Santiago and Vienna.