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Chapter 8 - Governments: Participation in the International Community. The United Nations. Founded in 1945 by the victors of WWII As a treaty signed by all members, the UN Charter is a legally binding document. Basic Aims of the UN. Keeping world peace
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Chapter 8- Governments: Participation in the International Community
The United Nations • Founded in 1945 by the victors of WWII • As a treaty signed by all members, the UN Charter is a legally binding document
Basic Aims of the UN • Keeping world peace • Developing friendly relations among nations • Working to eliminate poverty, disease, and illiteracy • Encouraging respect for human rights and freedoms • Stopping environmental destruction
Principal Organs of the UN • The General Assembly • The UN’s central body, comprising all 192 member states • Each member state has 1 vote • Decisions aren’t legally binding
2. The Security Council • Most powerful body of the UN, has 15 members charged with maintaining international peace and security • 5 permanent veto-wielding members • 10 elected non-permanent members
3. The Secretariat • The UN bureaucracy • Comprised of 8,900 civil servants from 170 countries • Headed by secretary general who is appointed by the Assembly for a 5 year renewable term
4. The Economic and Social Council • Coordinates the economic and social work of the UN – poverty, development, human rights, social issues • Collaborates among nations through education, science, culture, and communication (UNICEF; UNESCO) • Collaborates with NGOs on many issues
5. The International Court of Justice • Also known as the World Court • Established to provide a judicial alternative to diplomacy and war in settling disputes • States that consent to its jurisdiction are bound by its judgements, which are final • Hears cases on territory and sovereignty disputes, also gives opinions on human rights, UN membership • Also gives advisory legal opinions on questions referred to it by international bodies
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights • Proclaimed December 2, 1948 • Quickly became the international standard of the inalienable rights of all people • Is not legally binding, but it sets aspirational standards for all nations and applies moral and diplomatic pressure
Key individual rights are: • right to life, liberty and security of the person • Right to education • Right to participate in cultural life • Key individual freedoms are • Freedom of thought, conscience and religion • Freedom from torture or cruel, inhumane treatment or punishment