United Nations-WPS Office
United Nations-WPS Office
United Nations-WPS Office
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51
countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations
among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.
To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and
illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other's rights and freedoms;
The work of the United Nations reaches every corner of the globe. Although best known for
peacekeeping, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance, there are many other
ways the United Nations and its System (specialized agencies, funds and programmes) affect our lives
and make the world a better place. The Organization works on a broad range of fundamental issues,
from sustainable development, protecting the environment and supporting refugees, disaster relief,
countering terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, to promoting democracy, human rights,
gender equality and the advancement of women, governance and international health, clearing
landmines, expanding food production, and more.
To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for
the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or
other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the
principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or
situations which might lead to a breach of the peace;
To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-
determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;
To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural,
or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for
fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and
To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.
United Nations
The Charter of the United Nations is the founding document of the United Nations. It was signed on 26
June 1945, in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International
Organization, and came into force on 24 October 1945.
The United Nations can take action on a wide variety of issues due to its unique international character
and the powers vested in its Charter, which is considered an international treaty. As such, the UN
Charter is an instrument of international law, and UN Member States are bound by it. The UN Charter
codifies the major principles of international relations, from sovereign equality of States to the
prohibition of the use of force in international relations.
Since the UN's founding in 1945, the mission and work of the Organization have been guided by the
purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter, which has been amended three times in 1963,
1965, and 1973.
The International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, functions in
accordance with the Statute of the International Court of Justice, which is annexed to the UN Charter,
and forms an integral part of it. (See Chapter XIV, Article 92)
Introduction
UN at a glance
UN Charter
UN Structure
UN Family of Organizations
Getting Ready
Delegate Preparation
Pre-Conference
Formal Proceedings
Informal Processes
Significance of Groups
Skills
Chairing a Conference
Negotiation
Fundamentals of Negotiation
Speaking at a Conference
Forms of Address
Resources
The foundation upon which the UN was created is described in the Preamble of the UN Charter:
to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold
sorrow to mankind, and
to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the
equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and
to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and
other sources of international law can be maintained, and
The Preamble of the UN Charter describes the four pillars of the UN. These pillars are:
Human Rights
Development
These pillars are interconnected. One cannot be fully achieved without achieving all of them.
As outlined in the Preamble of the UN Charter, the UN was created “to save succeeding generations
from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind.” The UN
Security Council is the main organ responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
However, other organs play an important role in making recommendations and assisting in the resolving
armed conflicts.
The UN grew out of the ruins of World War II and endured the Cold War*. Today, peace and security are
no longer viewed only in terms of the absence of military conflict. The common interests of all people
are seen to be affected by various factors. These factors include poverty, hunger, environmental
degradation, weak democratic institutions, and human rights violations.
Over the years, the range of tasks assigned to UN peacekeeping operations has expanded significantly in
response to shifting patterns of conflict... Depending on their mandate, peacekeeping operations may be
required to:
Deploy to prevent the outbreak of conflict or the spill over of conflict across borders
Stabilize conflict situations after a ceasefire in order to create an environment for parties to reach a
lasting peace agreement
Lead states or territories through a transition to stable government, based on democratic principles,
good governance, and economic development
Peacekeeping operations also involve coordinating humanitarian assistance during conflicts. In many
conflicts, civilian populations are specifically targeted.
Depending on the specific set of challenges, UN peacekeepers are often mandated to play a role in the
following peacebuilding activities:
Mine action
The troops, police, and civilians who participate in peacekeeping operations are provided and financed
by Member States. UN peacekeepers are now deployed around the world in record numbers. These
operations employ over 100,000 troops, police, and civilians. These operations affect the lives of
hundreds of millions of men, women, and children. UN peacekeepers are often referred to as the “blue
helmets” because of the bright blue helmets that they are required to wear.
* The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (the
Eastern Bloc), and the United States with its Western allies which ended with the collapse of the USSR in
December 1991.
Peacebuilding
Peacebuilding refers to assisting countries and regions in transitioning from war to peace. Once fighting
has ended, countries often require assistance rebuilding State institutions responsible for maintaining
law and order, health, education and other services. Assistance may also include disarming,
demobilizing, and reintegrating soldiers; supervising elections; and reintegrating refugees. At the heart
of peacebuilding is an attempt to build a new State that can manage disputes peacefully, protect its
civilians, and ensure respect for human rights.
Peacebuilding involves coordinating the activities of a wide range of organizations in the UN system,
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local citizens groups.
Human Rights
This principle led to the GA’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on 10
December 1948.
The UDHR was a landmark achievement in world history. It marked the first time that the rights and
freedoms of individuals were described in such detail. It also represented the first international
recognition that human rights and fundamental freedoms apply to every person, everywhere. Today, it
continues to affect people’s lives. The UDHR also serves as a model for numerous international treaties
and declarations, and has been incorporated in the constitutions and laws of many countries. The UDHR
has inspired more than 60 international human rights instruments. It is the best known and most cited
human rights document in the world.
Following the historic adoption of the UDHR, the GA called upon all Member States to publicize the text
of the UDHR and “to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools
and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or
territories.”
The connection between human rights and development, social justice, the rule of law, non-
discrimination, gender equality and democracy, just to name a few, is clearly visible throughout the
UDHR. First, it acknowledges that the recognition of the inalienable rights of all individuals is the
foundation of freedom, justice, and peace. Inalienable rights cannot be taken away from anybody by
anyone or by the State. Second, it gives economic, social, and cultural rights the same degree of
protection as civil and political rights.To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for
the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures
to strengthen universal peace;
The rule of law is one of the core concepts at the heart of the Organization’s work and mission. As stated
in the UN Charter, the UN aims “to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the
obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained.” Human
rights, democracy and the rule of law are hence interconnected and cannot exist without one another.
In order to develop and prosper, human beings need security, protection, and the ability to exercise
their individual rights. This cannot happen without the rule of law. The rule of law refers to persons and
institutions—including the State itself—being accountable to laws that are consistent with international
human rights norms and standards.
Many poor countries need assistance in training and employing qualified personnel to manage
democratic institutions. These institutions are vital to upholding the rule of law. In addition, good
governance requires public participation in the political process. This helps guarantee that governments
will be held accountable for their actions. Competitive multiparty elections are essential for empowering
the poor and for building lasting peace settlements.
Development
The fourth declared aim of the UN is “to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger
freedom.” ECOSOC (economic and social council) is the organ most associated with achieving this goal.
It is responsible for coordinating the development mandates of 14 UN specialized agencies and five
regional commissions. In addition, ECOSOC consults with academics, business representatives, and
thousands of non-governmental organizations within civil society.
Being educated
All development is ultimately about expanding human potential and human rights. Yet development is
more than just raising one’s income. It cannot occur without UN freedom from misery, hunger, illiteracy,
and disease. People who live in extreme poverty lack choices. Having a decent standard of living gives us
the means to pursue our desires and dreams. Human rights come into play when we acknowledge that
everyone should have the same opportunities to develop their abilities to the fullest extent.
Development ceases to move forward when violent conflict erupts, human rights are violated, or the
rule of law is disregarded. Just as development can be negatively impacted by conflict, the lack of
development can also lead to war.
The strong link between human rights and development has figured prominently in UN discussions. In
1986, the right to development was made explicit in the Declaration on the Right to Development. The
Declaration on the Right to Development states that “the right to development is an inalienable human
right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to,
and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and
fundamental freedoms can be fully realized.”
The importance of focusing on development is most visible today in efforts to eradicate extreme
poverty, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, provides a
shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its
heart are the 17 SDGs, which are an urgent call for action by all countries—developed and developing—
in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-
hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth—
all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests as well as our
democratic institutions.