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Improving the World. Canadian & World Issues. The United Nations. United Nations Structure. Six main “organs” of the UN General Assembly Security Council Secretariat International Court of Justice Economic & Social Council Trusteeship Council
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Improving the World Canadian & World Issues
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
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-)
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
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
UN Priorities:Human Rights • Universal Declaration of Human Rights • High Commission for Human Rights • Will be replaced by the Human Rights Council on June 16th, 2006 • Refugees • High Commission for Refugees
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
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
UN Priorities:Other Major Issues • Women • Child Labour • Colonies (success!) • Apartheid (success!) • Population • Development (including the HDI) • Health
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
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
Ms. Louise Frechette • Appointed first ever UN Deputy Secretary-General 1998-2006 • Helped manage Secretariat operations • Canadian UN Ambassador 1992-1995
Mrs. Louise Arbour • UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 2004-Present • Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada 1999-2004 • Chief Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda 1996-1999
H.E. Stephen Lewis • UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa 2001-2006 • Deputy Director of UNICEF 1995-1999 • Canadian UN Ambassador 1984-1988 • Leader of the Ontario NDP 1970-1978
H.E. John McNee • Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations • Veteran Ambassador, Advisor to Trudeau, staffer at PCO
LGen The Hon. Roméo Dallaire • Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda 1994 • Author of Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda • Canadian Senator
MGen Lewis Mackenzie • Commander of the United Nations Protection Force in Yugoslavia 1994 • Author of Peacekeeper, Road to Sarajevo
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
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
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
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
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
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