United Nations: History, Structure, and Goals

Posted on Mar 20, 2025 in Social sciences

The United Nations: Origins and Evolution

Initially, there was the League of Nations, founded around 1920. It was one of the principal factors in the ending of World War I, and its primary mission was to preserve peace. Following this, the Atlantic Charter was created in 1941 on board a ship navigating somewhere in the Atlantic. It was signed by Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. This charter outlined a series of principles that initiated the UN Charter, established in 1945 after World War II to prevent another global conflict.

Main Organs of the UN

  • General Assembly: The only UN body with universal representation. It holds annual sessions to address important matters, with decisions made by a simple majority.
  • Security Council: Responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 members: 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent.
  • Economic and Social Council: Focuses on coordination, policy review, and dialogue, providing recommendations on economic, social, and environmental issues.
  • Trusteeship Council: Originally designed to prepare territories for self-government or independence. It suspended operations in 1994.
  • International Court of Justice: The principal judicial organ of the UN, and the only one located outside of New York (in the Netherlands). Its role is to settle legal disputes using international law as a guide.
  • Secretariat: Comprises the Secretary-General and UN staff.

Secretaries-General: Ban Ki-moon (South Korea, 2007-2016) was the 8th Secretary-General. António Guterres, from Portugal, is the 9th and current Secretary-General.

Objectives of the UN

The UN aims to maintain international peace, develop friendly relations among nations, and cooperate in solving international problems. The Millennium Development Goals have transitioned to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • 1. No Poverty: Ensure all people, particularly the poor and vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources.
  • 2. Zero Hunger: End all forms of malnutrition.
  • 3. Good Health and Well-being: Reduce maternal mortality, prevent epidemics, and support research.
  • 4. Quality Education: Increase the number of people with relevant skills, and ensure access to primary and university education.
  • 5. Gender Equality: End all forms of discrimination and eliminate violence against women.
  • 6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Achieve universal access to drinking water and adequate hygiene.
  • 7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable energy sources and expand infrastructure.
  • 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote productivity, efficiency in consumption, and eradicate forced labor.
  • 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Promote sustainable infrastructure, increase the share of employment, and upgrade technologies.
  • 10. Reduced Inequalities: Empower the inclusion of all and adopt policies for social protection.
  • 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Ensure access to safe transport and support least developed countries.
  • 12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Promote the sustainable management of chemicals and all wastes.
  • 13. Climate Action: Improve awareness and implement commitments.
  • 14. Life Below Water: Protect marine and coastal ecosystems, avoid significant impacts, and regulate certain forms of fisheries.
  • 15. Life on Land: Ensure the conservation and restoration of all types of ecosystems.
  • 16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence.
  • 17. Partnerships for the Goals: Implement full development assistance, increase the transfer of technologies, and promote universal trade systems.

The Syrian Conflict

After the Arab Spring, peaceful protests began in Syria. When a child was killed and tortured, the Syrian government (led by al-Assad) responded by killing hundreds of people.

Causes of the Syrian Conflict

Initially, the conflict stemmed from a lack of freedom and public anger, influenced by successful uprisings in Egypt. It evolved into a proxy war, a conflict between two states or non-state actors where neither entity directly engages the other, but both use external resources to attack the other’s interests.

US Presidential Election Process (USEP)

The process includes the announcement of intentions to run, primary and caucus debates, parties holding nominating conventions to choose their candidates, presidential debates with candidates, election day, electors voting in the Electoral College, and Congress counting electoral votes to determine the results.

Race and Racism

Race refers to groups of people who have differences and similarities in biological traits, a common heritage, or shared lineage. Racism is discrimination and prejudice towards people based on their race and ethnicity.

Levels of Racism

  • Institutionalized racism
  • Personally mediated racism
  • Internalized racism

Racism in Antiquity

Greece: The Greeks had an ideology that categorized non-Greeks as barbarians and slaves. While they were inclusive of culture, some were nationalists. Their views were not necessarily based on skin color. Egypt: Blacks were often slaves, while whites were servants.