Key International Organizations: UN & EU Structures
International Agreements and Rights
At present, there are numerous international treaties and conventions signed by states on the most diverse matters. There are also various international declarations of rights. Universal declarations include:
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- The Declaration of the Rights of the Child
- The Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
- etc.
Supranational Organizations
After the Second World War, there has been a proliferation of supranational organizations, created to jointly or coordinately solve the problems generated by the proliferation of international relations.
The United Nations (UN)
The United Nations (UN) is the largest and most important supranational organization; it was created after the Second World War. The UN goals are:
- To maintain international peace and security.
- To foster friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.
- To cooperate in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian nature.
- To promote and encourage respect for human rights.
UN Subsidiary Organizations
- UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund): Created to protect children.
- UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization): Aims to achieve peace and social well-being through culture, education, and science.
The European Union (EU)
In 1992, with the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty), the area of free movement without internal borders between EU member states became a reality. This treaty decided on monetary union, created mechanisms for citizen participation through elections to the European Parliament, established new rights for citizens, set internal policies of solidarity with less developed regions, and established foreign policy objectives and common defense. One of the most important initiatives approved was the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). On January 1, 1999, the euro became the common currency for eleven of the fifteen member states. The euro eliminates many barriers to the free movement of persons, goods, services, and capital.
EU Objectives
- Promoting economic and social progress.
- Asserting the European identity internationally.
- Introducing European citizenship.
- Developing an area of freedom, security, and justice.
- Maintaining and developing the community acquis (body of EU law).
Key EU Institutions
European Council
The European Council is composed of the heads of state or government of member states, together with their respective foreign ministers. It is the highest political body of the EU and is responsible for defining the general policy orientation and development.
Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers)
The Council of the European Union is made up of representatives (usually ministers) of the states comprising the EU. Generally, the foreign ministers of member countries meet.
European Parliament
The European Parliament is elected by universal suffrage. Each state elects its MEPs (Members of the European Parliament), i.e., their representatives to the European Parliament.
European Commission
The European Commission exercises the executive function. It ensures compliance with European regulations and proposes legal texts that are presented to the Parliament and the Council.
Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
The Court exercises judicial functions, ensuring compliance with, interpretation, and enforcement of EU law. It consists of one judge from each member country.
European Ombudsman
The Ombudsman can be consulted by the citizens of member states if they believe they have been treated unfairly by any EU institution.
Other Institutions
Other key bodies include the European Central Bank (ECB), Court of Auditors, Committee of the Regions, European Investment Bank (EIB), and the Economic and Social Committee (EESC).
Use of European Funds
Community funds were used to finance numerous projects in Spain.