Role of United Nations in International Systems - Coursework Example

Running Header: Role of United Nations in International systems Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code & Name: Date of Submission: Role of United Nations in International systems Introduction United Nations is an international organization that is composed of several countries around the world. United Nations was founded in 1945 in order to promote security, peace and economic development around the globe. League of Nations was replaced by United Nations after its establishment so as to end war among the nations as well as providing dialogue platform. It was also established so as to develop friendly relations among the nations on equal conditions while encouraging cooperation internationally towards solving stubborn problems among human beings all over the world. The main aims of the United Nations is to facilitate cooperation in economic development, international law, social progress, international security, human rights while achieving peace all over world (Frank, 2002, p.75). United Nations has 192 member countries with the major objective of maintaining and ensuring international peace and security while finding global economic and humanitarian problems globally. Missions in the United Nations are carried out through six main organs that include the General Assembly which is the main deliberative assembly. The International Court of Justice is another principal organ which is the primary judicial organ. The Secretariat as a main part of UN provides information, studies as well as facilities required by UN. Economic and Social Council is also another organ that assists in promotion of social cooperation and development, and international economy. Security Council is also another organ that decides certain resolutions for security and peace. The Trusteeship Council is also another main organ of United Nations although it is currently inactive. United Nations has also other agencies that include World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). UN headquarter is located in New York with offices in Vienna and Geneva (Klipper, 1997, p.74; United Nations, 2010). United Nations is currently headed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon from South Korea. This position was previously held by Kofi Annan. United Nations is financed from assessed and contribution that is voluntarily from its members. United Nations has six languages that are official and include Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, English, and French. United Nations has several standards which say that every member state has sovereign equality and each must obey the charter. Another principle by United Nations is that it must settle their differences through peaceful ways. According to UN principles, it is not supposed to interfere with any country’s domestic affairs. Another principle by UN is that countries must help or assist United Nations financially (Stewart, 2004, p.54). United Nations roles UN carries out a key responsibility in the internationally or in international system. Its main roles ensure that there is stability internationally among nations around the world. United Nations Security Council being the principal organ of the United Nations is responsible of ensuring there is peace and security. It is has a role of international sanctions establishment as well as authorization of military action. It exercises these international roles in international system through Resolutions by United Nations Security Council. United Nations Security Council has the role of investigating disputes or any situation that may lead to an international dispute. The council has a role of recommending methods of adjustment to be taken if it considers situations to be endangering international security and peace (Adam and Benedict, 1994, p. 56). The council has powers to decide the appropriate measures to be taken in circumstances involving threat of peace, breach of peace or even acts of aggression. United Nations role does not only involve making recommendations but taking action as well as involving use of military intervention to restore international security and peace. In 1991, United Nations used military intervention in Iraq at the time of Kuwait-Iraq war to compel Iraq cease and remove its forces from Kuwait. This is a clear indication that United Nations has a role to play in international system in ensuring peace and security is restored with no breach of peace or interfering with the international security. UN Charter defines the role that United Nations is supposed to play in ensuring international security is maintained. UN charter gives Security Council powers to recommend for peaceful resolution in a dispute between states. UN charter also investigates any situation that may threaten international peace. It has also a role of ensuring conflict is avoided and cooperation is maintained and focused upon by States. UN charter also gives Security Council powers to enforce its decision whether involving military or other necessary means like negotiations. United Nations Charter also gives Security Council power call upon other members of the United Nations to interrupt either partially or completely on economic relations on the Nations that defy the orders or actions by United Council that they are supposed to take (Frank, 2002, p.98). United Council has passed several resolutions that allowed it to intervene and plays a major role in ensuring human rights are protected. One such Resolution that has been adopted by Security Council is Resolution 1674 of Security Council that was adopted on April 28 2006. This Resolution ensures that there is protection of human population from war crimes, genocide, all crimes against humanity including ethnic cleansing. The resolution compels the council to take action to ensure civilians are protected in any kind of a conflict. It is the role of United Nation through its Security Council to ensure human rights are maintained throughout in every part of the world. This role is a clear indication that United Nations plays a great role in ensuring peace in the world is maintained with no violence against human rights (John and Nicholas, 2005, p.98). The United Nations has the role of sending peacekeepers to regions where armed conflict has disturbed human life after being approved by the Security Council. This is to enforce the peace agreement terms while discouraging hostilities from resuming back by combatants. Member states of United States voluntarily provide peacekeeping forces because it does not have its own forces. United Nations has put all efforts in ensuring that no more wars occur in any part of the globe. United Nations has a role of encouraging disbarment process. United Nations ensures that there is no creation of arms that of weapons of mass destruction like atomic or nuclear weapons. United Nations has a role of ensuring there is no testing of nuclear weapons by any country. It is the role of the United Nations to ensure that there is no testing of nuclear weapons as well as control of outer space arms. United Nations has a role of banning land mines and chemical weapons (Bailey, 2003, 45; Jones, 2006, p.148). United Nations Economic and Social Council is an organ of UN responsible of social, economic and other related functions. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) plays its role as a forum for addressing and discussing issues on economics and societal matters in the society. United Nations through this organ has a role of promoting higher living standards while ensuring full employment as well as social and economic progress. It also has a role of identifying solutions to international health, social, and economic problems. United Nations has also a role of facilitating international educational and cultural cooperation. It is also supposed to advance universal respect for human rights as well as essential freedom regardless of language, race, religion or sex. Economic and Social Council serves as the key forum for international social, humanitarian, economic as well as humanitarian issues discussion. The council plays a major role of fostering cooperation internationally through the discussions for developing and setting action priorities (Hans, 2005, p.23). United Nations economic and social council has a role of supervising the United Nations Children’s Fund, United Nations Development Program and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees activities (UNHCR). United Nations Economic and Social Council also undertake studies that are special at the request of countries that belong to the United Nations. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has a responsibility of ensuring that efforts to improve world health, nutrition, general welfare, and education for children around the globe. UNICEF funds for health services, other welfare services and educational facilities to the children. UNICEF has a role of promoting health of children, welfare in situations that are non-emergency as well as seeking ways of curbing child labor as well as promoting and advocating breastfeeding children all over the world. UNICEF has a role of ensuring children are given their rights accordingly in all perspectives and dimensions. United Nations uses children’s fund organ in order to ensure children all over the globe get required health needs. It also looks after nutrition statues including malnutrition cases among the children as well as ensuring education is accessible and is provided to them. UNICEF provides polio vaccines all over the world especially in those areas that affected greatly like sub-Saharan and south Asia regions (United Nations, 2001, p.142). United Nations Development Program is also another body of United Nations that is used to promote human development and sustainability in low-income countries. It role is to focus on reduction of poverty while developing strategies on how to treat and combat spread of HIV/AIDS. It is also responsible of promoting sound energy that is environmentally friendly. It has also a role of expanding infrastructure technology as well as expanding communications. It also has a role of combating desertification in areas affected by desertification by providing policies and ways of reducing this desertification process. This is through creating awareness on the importance of controlling and preventing desertification process through tree planting (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 2008). United Nations has an international role of assisting refugees all over the world. This is mainly through its organ referred as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). It assists refugees from Africa, Yugoslavia, Asia, Latin America and several other parts of the world (Michele, 2000). Many people have gone to seek for help in other countries due to natural disasters, persecution, political violence, armed conflict as well as other catastrophic events throughout the history all over the world. United Nations is organized in such a way that it assists and protects the refugees while finding long lasting solutions to their problems. It also provides assistance in terms of material support like shelter, food, education, health care and other related social services. It also has a role of meeting specific needs of specific groups like elderly, women, children or sick as well as those suffering from war trauma globally. It is the role of United Nations Human commission for refugees to work wit other United Nations Agencies like military forces, human rights organization to ensure refugees are provided with the required support or assistance all the time. The primary mission of this United Nations organ is to meet the needs of displaced refugees throughout the world (Frank, 2002, p.124; Richard, 2005, p.151). United Nation has the role of addressing hunger throughout the world through one of its body referred as World Food Programme (WFP). WFP gives food to over 90 million people throughout the world per year where 58 million are children. United Nations through WFP assists people to who are not capable of producing or getting enough food by themselves to get food aid to support them. WFP assists in saving the lives of refugees and other people in emergency situations. United Nations through WFP ensures there is improved nutrition and quality of life for people who are most vulnerable in the world. Globally, WFP assist in building assets and promoting self-reliance of poor communities mainly through programmes that are labor intensive. It is the role of WFP to fight nutrient deficiencies and improve maternal health throughout the world. United Nations also assist in improving child mortality while combating diseases like AIDS and HIV. United Nations food for work programmes assist in promoting economic and environmental stability as well as promoting agricultural production (Sarah, 2001, p.174). United Nations through World Health Organization (WHO) works as an authority coordinating public health internationally. WHO (World Health Organization) is a UN specialized agency. United Nations through WHO coordinates international efforts to control the outbreak of infectious diseases like AIDS, Swine flu, Tuberculosis, Malaria, and SARS. It also sponsors programs in treating and preventing those diseases throughout the world. United Nations through WHO assists in carrying out several healths related campaigns that includes boosting consumption of vegetables and fruits in the world. It also discourages the use of tobacco use globally (United Nations-Dept of Public Information, 2002, p.104). United Nations has a role of settling legal disputes submitted to it by states as well as giving advisory opinions on the legal questions that are submitted to it by duly authorized agencies, the UN assembly and international organs. This is through one of its organs called international court of justice (Schwebel, 1987, p.45). United Nations has an immense responsibility in coordinating emergency relief efforts all over the world. United Nations through collaboration with several agencies, private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), plays an integrated role in emergency relief efforts on areas affected by disasters or wars. The United Nations works to improve and save life while improving social and economic conditions of people all over the world when disasters occur. United Nations ensures that all affected people either through natural disasters or wars are assisted fully by providing them with food and other ways of support. UN agencies asses the situation when large-scale emergency strikes. It is the role of United Nations to look critically at the situations in order to know the exact amount of assistance that is required and how to tackle the emergency situation. It is the role of United Nations to provide shelter, food, safe drinking water and sanitation to those people affected by natural disasters and conflicts. United Nations provide support regardless of section of the world the disaster has occurred (Karen, 2009, p.187). United Nations through Food and Agricultural organization (FAO) ensures improved nutrition in the poor states. It also helps in eliminating hunger through coordinating government efforts in sectors like fisheries, forestry, and agriculture. It works throughout the globe in assisting countries carry out research, development, training and field missions. It also helps countries with emergency and disaster relief. United Nations through FAO lays out policies for sustainable agriculture as well as development in rural areas that are feasible economically and environmental friendly as well as being suitable technologically to the ability of the country that hosts. FAO assist countries in preventing, mitigating and preparing for emergencies. It is role also involves strengthening the capacity of countries towards preparing for disasters while providing early warnings of adverse conditions. It is the role of United Nations through FAO to reduce underlying crises causes while strengthening local capacity to cope and adapt with risks while strengthening capacities by countries to cope with risks (Dawson, 2001, p.59). Conclusion United Nations plays a great role in ensuring human beings are assisted in every aspect from food shortage to security issues. However, in order to accomplish this, United Nations as a body has established various organs and agencies to ensure all functions work well and its work is effective. Food and Agricultural organization plays such a great role in ensuring food security issues are looked after all over the world and in those areas that are greatly affected. United Security Council also plays a great role in ensuring security and peace is restored all over the regions. United Nations ensures human life and rights are protected throughout the world. United Nations also plays a great role in ensuring emergency disasters are addressed immediately while supporting the affected countries. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is also another agency of United Nations that plays a great role in helping refugees all over the globe by providing them with the required support either in terms of food or other humanitarian needs. United Nations has played a great role since its establishment on international positions and systems (Frank, 2002, p. 87). References Adam, R. & Benedict, K. (1994). Divided World: The UN’s Roles in International Relations. London: Oxford University Press. Bailey, D. (2003). United Nations Security Council. Journal of the World Law. 3(6), 45-67. Dawson, G. (2001). United Nations and international security. Victoria: Carbilla. Frank, B. (2002). United Nations and its roles. Victoria: Black lickers Press. Hans, K. (2005). United Nations. Journal on Law Review. 3(6), 23-42. John, T. & Nicholas, R. (2005). United Nations peacekeeping in the post-cold war era. New York: Taylor & Francis Press. Jones, L. (2006). Problems of Protection. Penrith: HarperCollins. Karen, B. (2009). The United Nations and Politics. Victoria: Liaison Press. Kliper, D. (1997). What the United Nations does. Canberra: penguin Press. Lukas, R. (2007). The United Nations and Democracy. Melbourne: Karger Press. McQuitty, K. (2001). UN & World security. Adelaide: Fontaine Press. Michele, H. (2000). World’s Refugees and Humanitarian Action. Lagos: Cramer press. Richard, P. (2005). The UNHCR and the world Politics. Campbelttown: Allen & Unwin Press. Sarah, P. (2001). United Nations. Albury: Carlos Press. Schwebel, S. (1987). International Court of Justice. American Journal of International Law. 5(4). 45-54. Stewart, R. (2004). United Nations. New York: Raintree Press. United Nations Department. (2001). United Nations. Sydney: Random. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (2008, June). The Role of the UN and its Agencies. Retrieved January 26, 2010, from http://ochaonline.un.org/businesscontributions/UNRole/tabid/977/language/en- US/Default.aspx United Nations. (2010, February). United Nations. Retrieved March 26, 2010, from http://www.answers.com/topic/united-nations United Nations-Dept of Public Information. (2002). United Nations Review. New York: Dept. of Public Information. William, E. (1987). International Law and the international system. Michigan: BRILL Press. Read More

United Nations has several standards which say that every member state has sovereign equality and each must obey the charter. Another principle by United Nations is that it must settle their differences through peaceful ways. According to UN principles, it is not supposed to interfere with any country’s domestic affairs. Another principle by UN is that countries must help or assist United Nations financially (Stewart, 2004, p.54). United Nations roles UN carries out a key responsibility in the internationally or in international system.

Its main roles ensure that there is stability internationally among nations around the world. United Nations Security Council being the principal organ of the United Nations is responsible of ensuring there is peace and security. It is has a role of international sanctions establishment as well as authorization of military action. It exercises these international roles in international system through Resolutions by United Nations Security Council. United Nations Security Council has the role of investigating disputes or any situation that may lead to an international dispute.

The council has a role of recommending methods of adjustment to be taken if it considers situations to be endangering international security and peace (Adam and Benedict, 1994, p. 56). The council has powers to decide the appropriate measures to be taken in circumstances involving threat of peace, breach of peace or even acts of aggression. United Nations role does not only involve making recommendations but taking action as well as involving use of military intervention to restore international security and peace.

In 1991, United Nations used military intervention in Iraq at the time of Kuwait-Iraq war to compel Iraq cease and remove its forces from Kuwait. This is a clear indication that United Nations has a role to play in international system in ensuring peace and security is restored with no breach of peace or interfering with the international security. UN Charter defines the role that United Nations is supposed to play in ensuring international security is maintained. UN charter gives Security Council powers to recommend for peaceful resolution in a dispute between states.

UN charter also investigates any situation that may threaten international peace. It has also a role of ensuring conflict is avoided and cooperation is maintained and focused upon by States. UN charter also gives Security Council powers to enforce its decision whether involving military or other necessary means like negotiations. United Nations Charter also gives Security Council power call upon other members of the United Nations to interrupt either partially or completely on economic relations on the Nations that defy the orders or actions by United Council that they are supposed to take (Frank, 2002, p.98). United Council has passed several resolutions that allowed it to intervene and plays a major role in ensuring human rights are protected.

One such Resolution that has been adopted by Security Council is Resolution 1674 of Security Council that was adopted on April 28 2006. This Resolution ensures that there is protection of human population from war crimes, genocide, all crimes against humanity including ethnic cleansing. The resolution compels the council to take action to ensure civilians are protected in any kind of a conflict. It is the role of United Nation through its Security Council to ensure human rights are maintained throughout in every part of the world.

This role is a clear indication that United Nations plays a great role in ensuring peace in the world is maintained with no violence against human rights (John and Nicholas, 2005, p.98). The United Nations has the role of sending peacekeepers to regions where armed conflict has disturbed human life after being approved by the Security Council. This is to enforce the peace agreement terms while discouraging hostilities from resuming back by combatants. Member states of United States voluntarily provide peacekeeping forces because it does not have its own forces.

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