World Cultures Name:___________________________

Unit Introduction to Globalization Block:_______

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.
Shows the world held in the olive of branches

2. How many countries are members of the U.N. today? 192
3. How might you describe the U.N. General Assembly? What happens when it convenes?
Each country has a single vote, but none of the decisions made by the assembly are binding.

4. Does the General Assemblys vote matter? Why or why not?
They dont really because its a voice from every country no matter the size or how rich or poor they are can speak
up about the problems and are taken into consideration but arent used in the final decisions.

5. What is unique about the U.N.s headquarters?
The U.N headquarters is in New York but is international property.

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

To keep peace throughout the world.
To develop friendly relationships with other nations.
To work together to help people live better lives, to eliminate poverty, disease and illiteracy in the world, to
stop environmental destruction and to encourage respect for each other's rights and freedoms.
To be a center for other nations to achieve these goals.

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

Countries must try to settle their differences in a peaceful matter.
Countries must avoid using force or threatening to use force.

8. What was the League of Nations, and how does it relate to the U.N.?
The League of Nations was created right after the first cold war because people from different countries thought
that a world organization of nations could keep the peace and prevent another world war.

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

There were countries from all over the world getting together and sharing information to each other so that
information was spread to their countries.
Different cultures from different areas were starting to work together to keep the peace.

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

The countries stopped working together and started using force against each other which started a second
cold war.
Moral authority was insufficient.

11. In what year was the U.N. created? June 1945 What was happening at that time? The Second World War

12. How many countries originally joined the U.N.? China, The UK and The USA.
13. Why might the League of Nations be considered the forerunner of the United Nations?
Because without the League of Nations, countries may of never got the idea of starting the united nations and then
the member countries of the UN would of not be working together as well as most of them work today, also more
wars could broke out.

14. What is the U.N.s Security Council, and what countries are involved in it? Responsible for ensuring peace, and are
the only member decisions that are binding. China, France, The UK, The USSR and the USA
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.

The other countries that are not included in the top 5 permanent countries could feel like their being told
what to do and become forceful to those countries
Other countries not having a say could drop out of the U.N and become forceful.
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, and The Vatican and Taiwan are still not members of the U.N. the membership
has grown because colonies have become independent and the Soviet Union has disintegrated.

17. How is the U.N. funded?
The member nations contribute to the costs to keep the U.N running. The USA is the top contributor.

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

Main forum of the debate. Has no power of force on other countries
to act on the issued recommendations.
Security Council

Is to insure peace and security. Can authorize the use of the force in
conflicts.
Economic and Social
Council
Spearheads the UNs economic, social,
humanitarian and cultural activities.
All of its members are elected by the
general assembly.
International Court of
Justice (World Court)
Main judicial body which in charge of settling
legal disputes submitted by the states.
Its in Dutch city of The Hague.
Secretariat

Undertakes the day-to-day work of the UN,
administering the programs and policies of the
organization.
Work includes translations, research and
media relations.
Trusteeship Council

Administers the U.Ns trust territories. Members of the council only meet when
the occasion is required.

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).

International Atomic Agency.
UN Childrens Fund (Unicef)
World Food Programme
UN Environment Programme

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?
Ban Ki-moon is the secretary-general. The title of this position is to elect the 5 permanent nations. It is used to make
sure that the 5 permanent nations to keep the same amount of power for each 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 that the future of the U.N is bright. I think that if more nations start joining and the permanent nations start
working together than the world will go smoother. If the Secretary General keeps up with the goals of the U.N then
there wont be any problems. The nations need to keep working together and to keep sharing new ideas to keep the
peace between the countries. The U. N will keep ensuring peace and stopping a WWIII.


Part B:
1. The ios