Learner Resource 6a: What do you already know about the United Nations? True or False?

Tick Statement about the UN True False

1. The origins of the UN lie in the First World War

2. The UN is a ‘world government’ 3. The UN International Security Council discusses any situation that cause conflict or a threat to international peace 4. The UN Security Council authorises peacekeeping missions 5. The primary aim of the UN is to ensure economic development can continue without any interruptions 6. All 193 Member States have representatives on the UN Security Council

7. All 193 Member States have representatives on the UN General Assembly

8. The UN was the first international organisation of the 20th century

9. International Court of Justice settles legal disputes between nations

10. The International Criminal Court is not a UN body

11. The UN has a large army to support its work 12. The UN relies solely on voluntary contributions from the general public for its work

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Version 1 1 © OCR 2016 Global Governance: Power and Borders You can find out more about UN at:

Fact sheet: This is the United Nations – The six main organs http://www.un.org/wcm/webdav/site/visitors/shared/documents/pdfs/FS_This%20is%20the%20UN %20_2013.pdf

World Health Organisation http://www.who.int/en/

United Nations Refugee Agency http://www.unhcr.org.uk/

World Food programme http://www.wfp.org/

United Nations Development Programme http://www.undp.org/

United Nations Environment Programme http://unep.org/ True or False answers

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1. The origins of the UN lie in the First World War - FALSE

The horrors of the Second World War, specifically the Holocaust, led to nations deciding to form a coalition to prevent these atrocities from happening again. UN was established on 24th October 1945 with 51 founding states. There are now 193 Member States.

2. The UN is a ‘world government’ - FALSE

The UN is not a ‘world government’. Individual sovereign states have their own governments and manage their own internal affairs. However 193 countries are member states of the UN and must therefore adhere to its constitutional document, ‘The Charter of the United Nations’ which describes the structure, role and function of the UN. UN uses 6 official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). UN employ ‘civil servants’ as their staff and such employees have to act according to instructions of UN and not other governments. There is chief administrative officer of the UN, the UN Secretary-general.

3. The UN International Security Council discusses any situation that cause conflict or a threat to international peace – TRUE

Any Member State can bring issues of concern to the Security Council. The Security Council will investigate the concern, encourage peaceful settlements, discuss and take action to protect citizens.

4. The UN Security Council authorises peacekeeping missions – TRUE

UN peacekeeping missions support peace processes and supports countries in maintaining peace in post-conflict conflict periods. Examples of peacekeeping include UNAMID in Darfur (Sudan), MINUSMA in Mali, UNMOGIP in India and Pakistan, and MINUSTAH in Haiti.

5. The primary aim of the UN is to ensure economic development can continue without any interruptions - FALSE

The primary aims of the UN are 1) to secure international peace, 2) eliminate poverty, 3) protect human rights. Of course all these things are complex and interdependent and when achieved they may lead to economic growth but economic growth is not the primary purpose of the UN.

6. All 193 Member States have representatives on the UN Security Council – FALSE

Security Council has 5 permanent members (China, France, Russian Federation, UK, USA) who have veto powers. There are also 10 non-permanent members who serve for two years (with 5 being replaced each year). The Security Council will meet whenever a need arises. To pass a resolution 9 out of 10 members must vote ‘yes’

7. All 193 Member States have representatives on the UN General Assembly – TRUE

The general Assembly votes on important issues and questions that fall within the realms of the UN Charter. One member / state has one vote. The General Assembly debates, makes

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recommendations, holds UN elections, adopts the budget.

8. The UN was the first intergovernmental organisation of the 20th century – FALSE

The League of Nations was established in 1919.

9. International Court of Justice settles legal disputes between nations – TRUE

International disputes between nations may involve for example environmental protection, diplomatic relations, hostage situations, asylum issues

10. The International Criminal Court is not a UN body – TRUE

11. The UN has a large army to support its work – FALSE

UN does not have own military but relies on Member States contributing military, police and civilian personnel to its operations.

12. The UN relies solely on voluntary contributions from the general public for its work – FALSE

Member States contribute to the UN according to their capacity to pay. Member states can make additional voluntary contributions but ‘ceiling’ limits are also put on contributions so that the UN does not become dependent for funding on a small number of Member States. UN funds, programmes and agencies are funded by voluntary rather than assessed contributions, e.g. UNICEF.

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