Malaysian Studies Assignment

Methodist College Kuala Lumpur MPW1133

Malaysian Studies Assignment: The United Nations

The United Nations

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Table of Contents

Cover Page Page 1

Table of Contents Page 2

Introduction Page 3

Process of Formation Page 4

The Six Organs of the United Nations Pages 5-12

Objectives

- The United Nation Charter Page 13

- Membership Page 14

- Purposes of the United Nations Page 15

- The Principles of the United Nations Page 16

Activities Page17 & 18

- The Specialized Agencies of the United Nations

Conclusion Page 19

References Page 20

Appendix Page 21 & 22

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Introduction: The United Nations

The United Nations is an international organization which consults the interests and

interactions between countries. To maintain and regulate its goal of world peace the

organization has become noteworthy for its humanitarian aid, peacekeeping, security,

exercising of human rights and international funding.

The United Nations was officially formed in 1945 following World War II with its primary

goal being to maintain world peace. Initially 51 countries were members of the

organization when it was established , currently it consists of 193 countries.

The main leaders of The U.N currently include:

Secretary General - Ban Ki Moon

Deputy Secretary General – Asha-Rose Migiro

General Assembly President – Joseph Deiss

Security Council President – Nawaf Salam

As an organization with an international presence it has six official languages as a

medium of communication including:

English

Chinese

Arabic

French

Russian

Spanish

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Process of Formation

The United Nations is the successor to The League of Nations which was

created following World War I in 1919. The League of Nations was disbanded in 1946

due to its failure to prevent the tension within Europe from escalating into World War II.

The initial plan for the ‘United Nations’ came from then president Franklin D. Roosevelt

as an alliance between the ‘Allied Countries’ of World War II. A charter was signed by

26 governments in 1942 as a pledge to create a better world after learning from the

consequences of World War II. In 26 June 1945, over 50 countries together they

established United Nations. On 24 October 1945 , the UN Charter came into power.

Thus make 24th October as United Nations day

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The Six Organs of The United Nations

The United Nations currently has six main organs including: The General

Assembly, Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice, Security

Council, Trusteeship Council and Secretariat. Within each of the bodies only a select

number of elected countries are members of it. Each Organ has their own responsibility.

Example the General Assembly deals with most international problem occurred and the

Security Council deals with the world defense forces and military conflict.

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The General Assembly

1 The General Assembly is the most significant organ in The U.N. All

member countries participate in this assembly. It is essentially where decisions

are discussed by representatives of all member countries. It is like a "parliament

of nations" which meets to consider the world's most pressing problems.

Important problems such as budget maintenance and admission of new

members are given a vote on the course of action, where the majority decision

must be a result of two-thirds of all votes.

A ‘one country, one vote’ system is implemented in which each country is

given a single vote however if a country is late in payment of financial

contributions it may not be given the same right. A successful majority vote

creates a ‘recommendation’ for a course of action.

The Assembly cannot force action by any State, but its recommendations

are an important indication of world opinion and represent the moral authority of

the community of nations.

At the beginning of each regular session, the Assembly holds a general

debate, often addressed by heads of state and government, in which member

states express their views on the most pressing international issues.

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Functions and powers of General Assembly

One of the functions is to maintenance of international peace and security,

including the principles governing disarmament and weapon regulation. Another

is to discuss anything relating to international peace and security. General

Assembly also makes recommendations for peaceful solutions of any situation,

regardless of origin, which can disrupt relationship between different nations.

Another main function is to elect non-permanent members of the Security

Council and by the recommendation from the Security Council, to appoint a

Secretary-General. The General Assembly also elect the members of the

Economic and Social Council and members of the Trusteeship Council .With the

Security Council, they also elect Judges of the International Court of Justice

The General Assembly responsibility to look into by studying and make

recommendations to promote an international political cooperation, development

and codification of international law, realization of human rights and fundamental

freedoms, and international collaboration in social, cultural, economic, health and

education.

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Economic and Social Council

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is responsible for coordinating

international economic and social work. Generally the main function of ECOSOC is to

improve the Standard of Living, Employment, social and cultural benefits in all member

states. The ECOSOC contains 54 members all of whom discuss and give

recommendations on international economic and social issues. Under the ECOSOC are

a total of 17 specialized agencies of the UN. Each of these agencies have different roles

but maintain the same objectives of peace and equal human rights. Significant

examples of these agencies are the World Health Organization (WHO), World Trade

Organization (WTO), and International Monetary Fund (IMF) amongst others.

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International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice is the judicial organ of the U.N. The ICJ is

responsible for settling international legal disputes in accordance to international law. It

consists of 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council.

The Court also provides advisory opinions to the General Assembly and the Security

Council upon requested.2 Every three years, the President and the Vice-President are

elected by the Members of the Court through a secret ballot .The election is held on the

date on which Members of the Court elected at a triennial election. After that, they begin

their terms of office thereafter. With an absolute majority, the President and the Vice-

President is then elected with no conditions with regard to nationality.

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The Security Council

3The Security Council is in charge of exercising international peacekeeping and

security. It therefore has the ability to locate and initiate military operations within all

member countries. There are currently 15 members of this organ, 5 being permanent

and 10 being elected non permanent members. The 5 permanent members include:

China, United States of America, United Kingdom, France and Russia. It is noticeable

that these five countries are considered the world’s leading military superpowers and

have access to nuclear arms. The presidency is elected monthly by rotation according

to the alphabetical listing of the member. Functions of the Security Council is to

maintain the international peace and security between the nations in accordance with

the principles and purposes of the United Nations

Another function is to investigate any dispute which might lead to international

relation problems. The Security Council also play a role in appointment of the Secretary

General. Based on the Charter, Security Council has the power to make decisions that

all members are legally obligated.

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The Trusteeship Council

4The Trusteeship Council is the only organ of the U.N that is not currently in

operation. During its active period its responsibility was to ensure that territories,

previously part of its predecessor The League of Nations, received international care

and peacekeeping as an incentive to become a member state of The U.N. As of now

however all of the territories under the Trusteeship Council have either received

independence or membership in the U.N and thus the organ remains inactive. The

Trusteeship Council is authorized to examine and discuss reports from the

Administering Authority on the political, economic, social and educational advancement

of the peoples of Trust Territories. The Trusteeship Council also does discussions with

the Administering Authority to examine petitions from and undertake periodic and other

special missions to Trust Territories.

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The Secretariat

5The Secretariat is the most important organ of the U.N and is responsible for

providing information and facilities needed by the U.N. The Secretariat is currently led

by Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon. All actions are ultimately decided by the Secretary

General following recommendations from the other organs. Information gathering,

international disputes and peacekeeping operations are some of the many

responsibilities that the Secretary General holds. Essentially the Secretary General is

the de facto of the U.N and therefore must be a person of extreme qualities.

The Secretary General cannot be elected from a member state that is already part of

The Security Council because it would influence decision making towards the interest of

that state. The duties carried out by them are as to the problems dealt with by the

United Nations. Some of their duties include managing peacekeeping missions to settle

international debate, from surveying economic and social activities and problems on

human rights and sustainable development.

Secretariat staff also informs the world's multimedia about the responsibility of the

United Nations; prepare international conferences on problem happening in worldwide.

The United Nations Charter

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The United Nations Charter was signed on 26 June 1945, San Francisco and came

into effect on 24 October 1945. This Charter is essentially the foundation of the process

and objectives of the United Nations.

The United Nations Charter is a treaty signed within the UN to establish a mutual

agreement between countries about peace and human rights in general. This charter is

comprised of a series of articles that are compiled into chapters. Prior to the chapters is

a preamble which sets guidelines for the chapters that follow.

The Preamble grounds the foundation of the charter. The preamble advocates the

dignity of human beings thus promoting human rights. It relays a great discouragement

for wars, taking the events of World War I and World War II as a great example. It also

promotes the notion of equality between men and women of all nations and therefore

also promotes the freedom of different social cultures. Lastly it vigilantly upholds justice

in the treaties and process of the UN.

There are basically two important parts to the charter (though it is not in order in the

charter). One of the two important parts is the promotion of the objective of achieving

human rights and world peace for all nations. The other parts declare the methods and

powers of each organ of the UN.

This maintains stability and achieves efficiency in the decision making process and

actions of the UN.

Membership

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Total of 192 countries to this date joined as a member of the United Nations. 6Based on article 4 paragraph 1, membership of the United Nations is open to anyone

peace-loving states which accept the agreements contained in the present Charter and

in the judgment of the Organization and are is able and willing to pick up these duties.

On paragraph 2, countries that are seeking membership in the UN must be approved by

votes from the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.

On article 5, a member of the United Nations who are against any preventive or

enforcement action has been taken by the Security Council may be suspended from the

exercising their rights and privileges as a member by the General Assembly on the

recommendation of the Security Council. Exercise of rights and privileges can only be

restored by the Security Council.

And on article 6, when a member has repetitively violated the Principles contained in

the Charter, they may be expelled from the organization by the General Assembly upon

the recommendation of the Security Council.

Purposes of the United Nations

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7To obtain international cooperation in overcoming international problems that

include: economic, social, cultural land humanitarian character. It is also to promote and

encourage the respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms without

distinction of race, sex, language, or religion.

It is also to develop friendly relationship between different nations by respecting the

principle of equal rights and self-determination of human kinds, and to take other

actions to strengthen universal peace.

8It’s also 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.

The Principles of the United Nations

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9 Firstly, the Organization is based on principles of sovereign equality of its entire

member. 10The second principle is that all member states have sovereign equality.

Every member is equally respect, honor, power and rights and all member states must

obey the Charter.

Thirdly, all members have to settle their international problem through peaceful

actions where in a manner that worldwide security, peace and justice, are not

endangered.

11 Fourthly, Members would restrain in solving their international relations from the

threat or use of force towards political independence or territorial integrity in any other

manner that’s incompatible with the rules of the United Nations.

Fifthly, all Members would give the United Nations every support in any action that’s

accordance to the present Charter, and shall be banned from giving any support to

those states against which the United Nations is taking preventive or enforcement

action.

The sixth principles is that the Organization shall ensure that states which are not

Members of the United Nations would honor in accordance with these so that

international peace and security can be protected.

Lastly, anything that doesn’t contain in the Charter shall be authorize the United

Nations to intercede in any matters require the Members to submit to settle under the

present of the Charter or solve within the domestic jurisdiction. But this principle shall

not influence the actions taken but by measure following the Charter of Chapter Vll.

Activities of The United Nations

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The United Nations has been involved in many activities in its time. The

organization addresses issues around the world such as healthcare, poverty, global

peace, environmental care, military, education as well as child labor among others.

Most recently the U.N has offered contributions to natural disasters such as the

2011 Japanese Earthquake & Tsunami disaster. In this crisis the U.N has offered

immediate aid relief as well as acting on standby for any other areas affected by

earthquakes and tsunamis.

The Specialized Agencies of the United Nations

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Within the U.N many special agencies act on an international level to reach their

goals of peacekeeping/security, humanitarian aid/rights and social/economic

development. Some of the well known agencies include: World Health Organization,

International Monetary Fund, and International Labor Organization.

The World Health Organization is responsible for addressing issues in public health

around the world such as AIDS, SARS and other outbreaks. It also sponsors programs

aimed to treat or cure diseases.

The International Monetary Fund has many goals including the stabilization of

financial issues, encouragement of free trade, promoting economic growth and reducing

poverty. It is able to influence economies through macroeconomic policies which can

alter features such as exchange rates, balance of payments, debt crises and foreign

aid.

Conclusion

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The United Nations is a joint effort among the world members for the sole

target of drafting and working towards a better and stronger future in terms of economic,

social and humanitarian progress. It is an organization that has a tremendous capability

and flexibility in response to the changing course and needs of the international

community. The roles of its work have been clearly recognized, credited and

appreciated by the members of world today.

They hold very prominent and crucial powers that scrutinize unfair and self-

interested moves at the expense of a whole community by a party. Having a promising

future and the more gaining importance in the global platform, it’s no doubt that the

United Nations are building the ultimate peoples’ dream step by step with a

considerably sense of humanity.

References

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http://www.un.org/en/

http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/

http://www.icj-cij.org/

http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/



http://www.un.org/en/documents/charter/

http://www.un.org/works/

http://www.who.int/en/

http://www.ilo.org/global/lang--en/index.htm

http://www.imf.org/external/index.htm


http://www.unac.org/learn/wrld/background/gi.htm

http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/chapter1.html

Appendix

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http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/chapter1.html

http://www.unac.org/learn/wrld/background/gi.htm


http://www.imf.org/external/index.htm

http://www.ilo.org/global/lang--en/index.htm

http://www.who.int/en/

http://www.un.org/works/

http://www.un.org/en/documents/charter/



http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/

http://www.icj-cij.org/

http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/

http://www.un.org/en/


12Chart of the United Nation System

Current Secretary-General

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The United nation Head Quarters

United Nation Logo

General Meeting in the Head Quarters

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Malaysian Studies Assignment