The United Nations

1. The United Nations KCI Geography

2. The United Nations

3. Background to the UN • The League of Nations (predecessor to the United Nations), established after WWI, was set up with a primary goal of keeping peace. • Several major world powers failed to support the league - US never joined - Germany only lasted 7 years - USSR only lasted 5 years - Japan and Italy both withdrew in 1930s

4. WWII demonstrated that the League of Nations failed. • As WWII raged on, leaders of Britain, China, the US, and USSR, under pressure from the press and public, discussed details of a post-war organization. • UN officially came into existence on October 24th, 1945, just after WWII. • It contained 50 countries (Poland was the 51st)

5. United Nations Structure • Six main “organs” of the UN • General Assembly • Security Council • Secretariat • International Court of Justice • Economic & Social Council • Trusteeship Council • Many other agencies & organizations within the UN system

7. UNHQ – New York City

8. Secretariat (& Secretary-General) • Secretariat is the “business” • Secretary-General acts as a diplomat, advocate, civil servant, and CEO • Spokesman for the interests of the world’s peoples, in particular the poor and vulnerable • H.E. Ban Ki-moon of Korea (2007-)

9. General Assembly

10. Security Council

11. Economic & Social Council

12. Trusteeship Council (to 1994)

13. International Court of Justice - The Hague

14. UN European HQ – Geneva • Former HQ of the League of Nations

15. UN Office at Vienna • UNHCR, Space, Drugs

16. UN Office at Nairobi • UNEP, UNHABITAT

18. Purpose of the UN • Maintain international peace & security • Achieve international cooperation in solving economic, social, cultural, & humanitarian problems • Promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms • Be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining common goals

19. UN Priorities:Conflict Resolution • Peaceful Settlement of Differences • International Court of Justice • Economic Sanctions • Peacekeeping Force • Regular Military Force • Must be made available by all member states on an individual basis

21. UN Priorities:Human Rights • Universal Declaration of Human Rights • Human Rights Council • Refugees • High Commission for Refugees

22. UN Priorities:Sustainable Development • “Programs that improve people’s quality of life without impairing future generations’ ability to improve their quality of life” • UN Conference on Human Environment • The Earth Summit • United Nations Environment Program

23. UN Priorities:The Middle East • Whereas many other conflicts were resolved in a relatively short time…. • Palestine & Israel Conflict dominated the Security Council agenda for decades • Palestine to Israel; Palestine & Israel?! • Wars: 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973 • Problems still exist today

24. UN Priorities:Other Major Issues • Women • Child Labour • Colonies (success!?) • Apartheid (success!?) • Population • Development (including the HDI) • Health

25. UN Millennium Development Goals • Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger • Achieve universal primary education • Promote gender equality and empower women • Reduce child mortality • Improve maternal health • Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases • Ensure environmental sustainability • Develop a global partnership for development

26. Canada & the United Nations

27. The Rt. Hon. Lester B. Pearson • Invented the concept of peacekeeping • President of the General Assembly 1952-1953 • Won the Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to resolve the Suez Crisis of 1956 • Canadian Prime Minister 1963-1968

28. H.E. Stephen Lewis • UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa • Former Deputy Director of UNICEF • Former Canadian UN Ambassador • Former MPP and Leader of the Ontario NDP

29. LGen The Hon. Roméo Dallaire • Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda • Author of Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda • Canadian Senator

30. Canada’s Financial Contributions to the UN • 7th leading contributor to the UN – 2.5% of the UN’s budget (US $34.5 million)… more than China or Russia! • Canada has a perfect payment record – always in full, on time, and without conditions • In addition, Canada contributes $77 million annually for UN peacekeeping

31. Canada andInternational Development • Canada spent US $2 billion in 2002 on Official Development Assistance (ODA) • .28% of our Gross National Income • $100 from every Canadian • Canada plans to double ODA by 2010

32. Canada and Children • Canada played a key role in creating the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of a Child • Canada Co-Chaired the 1990 World Summit for Children • Canada hosted the 2000 International Conference on War Affected Children

33. Canada and Development in Africa • Canada dropped its tariffs and quotas on nearly all imports from least-developed countries in 2003 • Canada led the G8 Africa Action Plan that helped African nations launch the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) • Canada added another $500 million in aid through the Canada Fund for Africa

34. Canadian Missions to the UN • Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York (UNHQ) • Geneva Mission, Vienna Mission • Delegation to UNESCO in Paris • Mission UN HABITAT in Nairobi • Mission to UNEP in Nairobi • Mission to FAO in Rome • Mission to ICAO in Montreal

35. Challenges the UN Faces • World peace is an immense task • Do they act in the best interest of all countries? • Structural problems? – 5 permanent members of the security council, each with veto power(US, France, United Kingdom, Russia, China) • Massive overhead cost (administrative fees are huge) • Wealthier countries pay more fees than poorer ones (political influence??)

36. Questions About the UN? • www.un.org • www.un.int/canada • Michael Kovrig – canada@un.int • www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canada_un • www.unac.org • www.unicef.ca • www.canimun.org