 United
Nations |
Issue 92 |
The United Nations: Building a Peaceful Global Community
The evening news brings tragic images of destruction and death into our living rooms on a daily basis. These photos and clips are accompanied with talk of terrorism, fear and war. While sad and sometimes scary, these images and discussions often seem a world away. For most people, the wars and destructions are easily turned off and forgotten. But not all people. In our global community there are dedicated individuals and groups who realise that these images are in fact a reality for many people, people who do not have the luxury of turning off the television or changing channels. People, who because of circumstances beyond their control are forced to live in extraordinary and unwanted situations. One of the main organisations that works towards creating peace for these individuals and helping free the world of war and destruction is the United Nations (UN).
The UN began in 1945 after the devastation of World War II. At this time, representatives from 50 governments got together to try and ensure that future generations would never have to live through a similar war. The following points come from the preamble of the UN and outline its central aims:
We the Peoples of the United Nations Determined
- to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to [hu]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
- to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
And For These Ends
- to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and
- to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and
- to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and
- to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,
(See www.un.org/aboutun/charter/index.html for full details)
Nearly every nation in the world belongs to the UN (191 nations at present). All Member States whatever their size or wealth are treated equally and are given a voice to help decide on processes and actions. The UN provides unique opportunities which bring many of these countries together to work towards building a global community free of war. Such opportunities include global conferences, creating treaties, international criminal courts, aid and development actions, human rights advocacy, peace-keeping troops, and many more. The challenges facing the UN and our global community today include not only wars and international terrorism, but also disease, poverty, environmental problems and development.
Global peace can often seem to be an unobtainable and unrealistic aim. However, this aim is at the forefront of everything the UN does. The 31 separate organisations within the UN offer hope that individuals and governments can overcome difference and work towards making peace a reality for all people in our global community, not just the fortunate few.
Activities Across the Curriculum
Go to the following site and find out how the UN works: www.un.org/Overview/brief1.html.
a) List the 6 main organs of the UN.
b) Explain the function of each organ.
Go to the following site and compile a report on UN Peace Keeping Efforts: www.un.org/Overview/brief2.html. In your report address the following topics:
Purpose of UN as set out
in charter (click on charter icon to
research this)
Specific examples of when the UN has brought about peace - include
examples from Africa, Asia-Pacific and Europe
- Disarmament
- Peacemaking
- Peace-building
- Peace keeping
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are an important initiative of the UN. Go to the following site and list the eight MDGs and their targets: www.ozspirit.info/2004/78bg.html
November 5th is World Community Day. Design a poster to display around your school to encourage tolerance and understanding of all communities in our global family.
Go to the following site and research the 50 major achievements of
the UN:
www.un.org/aboutun/achieve.htm. Choose the five that impress
you the most and list what they are. Explain why you think each of these
is so important.
The following statement was said by UN General Assembly Foreign Minister
Jean Ping: "We are facing many complex international challenges,
and no organisation is better equipped than the United Nations to address
and resolve them".
Do you agree with the statement? Give reasons and provide examples.
HSIE/SOSE
1) Go to the following site which details the UN involvement in Iraq:
www.un.org/apps/news/
infocusRel.asp?infocusID=50&
Body=Iraq&Body1=inspect
Make
a list of 10 ways the UN has been and plans to be involved in the crisis
in Iraq.
2) Play the game flag tag at the following site:
www.cyberschoolbus.un.org/
flagtag/frm_ft_intro.asp?
score=0&screen_height=768.
As you go through select four of the countries that you come across and
complete the following list for each country.
- Country
- Region
- Capital
- Population
- Largest urban agglomeration
- Surface Area
- Currency
- United Nations membership date
- Flag (Draw Image)
You will find this information by clicking here after you pick the correct flag.
English
1) Go to the following site which details current UN activities: www.un.org/News/. Choose one story from the news and read the full story by clicking on the icon. Find out the following information about your article: title of story, date, author, location of events outlined in story, brief summary of article.
2) Why do you think the UN is involved in the issue outlined in your article?
Visual Arts
1) Go to the following site:
www.un.org/av/photo/etimor.htm which
provides photographs from the UN involvement in East Timor. Scroll through
and view the photographs. Choose 10 photographs that communicate something
to you about the UN involvement in East Timor. Describe each of the photographs.
Go to the following site:
www.caritas.org.au/ourwork/
where_easttimor1.htm and copy the timeline for East Timor.
Draw three images using ideas from the photographs and your own ideas to accompany the time-line.
2) Go to the home page for the photo gallery and select another issue
in the exhibit www.un.org/av/photo/
subjects/index.html Complete the same as question 1a for the selected issue
In July 1998 the UN set up the first International Criminal Court (ICC).
The following is a quote about its establishment by Kofi Annan UN Secretary-General:
"The long-held dream of a permanent International Criminal Court
is nearing reality...Our hope is that, by punishing the guilty, the ICC
will
bring
some comfort to the surviving victims and to the communities that have
been targeted. More important, we hope it will deter future war criminals,
and bring nearer the day when no ruler, no State, no junta and no army
anywhere will be able to abuse human rights with impunity."
1) Go
to the following site which details common questions and answers about
the ICC:
www.un.org/News/facts/.
Discuss what your opinions are
on the ICC: Do you believe it is a positive endeavour? Are there any
concerns? What role do you think the ICC can play in conflicts such as
East-Timor,
Iraq and Sudan?
2) The Columban Centre for Peace Ecology & Justice have a few events in Sydney coming up. These occasions encourage dialogue between different groups in our community. These events include:
- African Experience - Jubilee Australia Drop the Debt Campaign - Parramatta - Nov 27th
- Christian/Muslim Public Forum on Non-Violence - Fairfield - Nov 28th
- Christian/Muslim
Public Forum on Non-Violence - Hurstville - Nov 30th
Contact Anne Lanyon for more details: (02) 9488 8844
Other Useful Links
www.cyberschoolbus.un.org/index.html is the United Nations
global teaching and learning project
cyberschoolbus.un.org/otherunsites.html provides a list of all the
UN teaching and learning activities available online.
www.ozspirit.info/archives.html#uni provides a list of other Ozspirit
backgrounders and activities that relate to the UN.