World Cultures Name:_Hayley___________

Unit Introduction to Globalization Block:___2____

The United Nations
Complete this assignment to gain background knowledge on the United Nations. To begin, open an Internet browser and
navigate to the United Nations home page at http://www.un.org/en/index.shtml. Then, scroll down to the section
called The U.N. and, and click on CyberSchoolbus. Read the article there and respond to the items below:
1. Explain the meaning of the U.N. emblem.

It shows the world in the olive branches of peace meaning that with the help of the U.N. the world could be at
peace.

2. How many countries are members of the U.N. today? ___193___
3. How might you describe the U.N. General Assembly? What happens when it convenes?

The U.N. General Assembly can be described as something close to a world parliament. Each country no matter the
size or wealth gets one vote, but no decisions are binding. Decisions made there are carry weight on world
government options.

4. Does the General Assemblys vote matter? Why or why not?

Yes and no, yes because it gives every nation a fair say, but no because not all decisions are binding and final that
are made.

5. What is unique about the U.N.s headquarters?

The Headquarters are unique because they are in New York City but the buildings and the land are in international
territory. Also, the United Nations have their own flag and their own post office with their own postage stamps.

6. What are the main goals of the U.N.?

Peace keepers of the world.
Create friendly relationships between the nations.
Work to help improve peoples lives, rid the world of poverty and disease, bring literacy to everyone in the
world, stop environmental destruction, and to create respect for everyone's rights and freedoms.
A center to help nations reach these goals.

7. Identify at least two challenges that exist in following the U.N. principles.

There are language barriers.
There are money barriers as in not all money is the same all over the world and converting the money can
make it so money means less in one place than in others.

8. What was the League of Nations, and how does it relate to the U.N.?

It was created right after WW1and it was the worlds first try at the U.N. but the League of Nations at its biggest was
only 57 nations. Also, they only had two goals one was to preserve the peace through a collective action. The second
was to promote international cooperation in economic and social affairs.

9. In what ways was the League of Nations an example of early globalization? Identify at least two.

They could send military personnel all over the world and
They wanted to promote international affairs and economic and social affairs which is kind of the point of
globalization.

10. Why did the League of Nations fail? Identify at least two reasons.

The second World War started and the main goal was for that not to happen.
The nations apart of it were not willing to use sanctions, economic, or military authority and no one listens
to moral authority.

11. In what year was the U.N. created? __1944__ What was happening at that time?__Plans to end World War 2__

12. How many countries originally joined the U.N.? ____51___
13. Why might the League of Nations be considered the forerunner of the United Nations?

The League of Nations was original made for the same reasons the U.N. was it just didnt turn out the way it was
supposed to because there wasnt enough support.

14. What is the U.N.s Security Council, and what countries are involved in it?

It is made up of five permanent members who won the war who are China, France, the UK, the USSR, and the US. There
are also ten other countries that serve two year terms. The five permanent member were also given veto power, which
means that decisions made by the Security Council can be stopped by any of the five permanent members.

15. Why might the structure and operation of the Security Council be problematic? In other words, what principle does
it appear to violate? Identify two issues.

Not every nation that is a part of it gets an equal say in what happens.
Mostly non-Western places joined meaning their votes could out weight Western votes
Go to the BBCs profile on the U.N. at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3159028.stm and scroll down
to the Members section.
16. Who is the newest U.N. member, and what noteworthy nations are not members of the U.N.? Why has U.N.
membership grown?

South Sudan is the newest member. The Vatican and Taiwan are not members. Membership has grown because
members get a permanent mission at the U.N. main headquarters in New York and the Security Council
recommends places to join.

17. How is the U.N. funded?

Each member has to contribute to the running cost and each countrys contribution is assessed on its ability to pay.

18. The chart below lists the six organizational bodies of the U.N. Complete the chart with information about their
purpose as well as details you find interesting or important. NOTE: Youve already read a bit about the G.A. and S.C.
Organizational Bodies Purpose Interesting & Important Facts
General Assembly

The U.N.s main forum for debate and it is the
only part in which representative from all
member countries and each country gets one
vote.
The General Assembly meets three months
of the year starting in mid-September. They
also meet for special and emergency
sessions.
Security Council

They ensure global peace and security. They can impose economic sanctions and
they can also authorise force in conflicts.
Economic and Social
Council
They lead the U.N.s economic, social,
humanitarian, and cultural activities.
There are 54 member and they are
selected by the General Assembly.
International Court of
Justice (World Court)
It is the main judicial body of the U.N. and it is
tasked with settling legal disputes entered by
states.
The 15 judges are elected by the General
Assembly and the Security Council.
Secretariat

They undertake the daily work of the U.N.
They administer the programmes and policies
of the organisation.
The 9,000 Secretariat staff are drawn from
170 countries.
Trusteeship Council

They administered the U.N.s trust territories. It suspended its activities in 1994 when
Palau became independent.

19. The U.N. also has separate organizations that work to meet its goals. List four different groups or goals these
organizations work to help or promote (NOT the names of the organizations).

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), they are the U.N.s nuclear surveillance and are based in
Vienna.
The U.N. Childrens Fund (Unicef), they promote child health, edu., and protection.
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), they safeguard the rights and the well-being of refugees
and it is based in Geneva.
The World Food Programme, is based in Rome and they are the frontline agency in the fight against
hunger.

20. What is the title of the U.N.s leader, and who currently holds this position? How is this position used to
counterbalance the strength of some U.N. members?
The leader is Ban Ki-moon and he is the Secretary-general. The General Assembly elects a secretary-general for a five-
year renewable term. also, the position is often filled by candidates from smaller, neutral nation.
21. What do you feel is the future of the U.N.? Does it have a place in todays world? Why or why not? What can it do
to improve its position? Write a 5-6 sentence paragraph explaining your views.
I feel in the future that the U.N. will fail and there will be a World War 3. I feel that it does have a place in the world
today but it isnt adapting fast enough to all the changes that are happening in the world. Also, I think that if it does start
to adapt faster it will fail. I think it will fail and there will be a third World War because The U.N. may not be ganging up
on one place like the League of Nations did to Germany. Instead there are wars going on now and threats of other wars
and nuclear threats things of that nature and the U.N. isnt able to do much about it.