United Nations Facts for Kids from the "Our World Adventure" at Wonder Rotunda
This material about the United Nations (UN), is drawn from the "Learn More" reading opportunities in the "Our World" adventure at the Wonder Rotunda, an on-line children's adventure museum for kids, ages 7-12. The material explores the role of the Geneal Assembly, Security Council and the many institutions within the UN that work on issues such as human rights, climate change, poverty, emergrncy relief and health.
Purpose or Mission of the United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is a world organization formed in 1945. It came into existence after World War II, when the leaders of the world, including American President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill, agreed that it was necessary to create a world organization that would help ensure peace.
The UN's mission, or purpose, has broadened beyond ensuring peace and also includes bringing the nations of the world together to work for justice, human dignity and the well-being of all people.
The original membership of 51 nations has grown to 192 Members. The senior officer of the United Nations Secretariat is the Secretary-General. The United Nations Headquarters is in New York City. The UN also has offices in Geneva, Switzerland, and Vienna, Austria.
The land and buildings of the UN are international territory. The United Nations has its own flag, its own post office and its own postage stamps.
Six official languages are spoken and used in documents at the United Nations: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
The General Assembly
The General Assembly is the main place for discussion and policy making in the United Nations. It is composed of all 192 members of the United Nations. Each country, large or small, rich or poor, has a single vote in the General Assembly, which is a meeting place where all nations voice their opinions. None of the decisions taken by the Assembly are binding. But, when the Assembly's decisions become resolutions, they carry the weight of world opinion and can influence the actions nations take.
Votes taken on important issues, such peace and security, require a two-thirds majority of Member States, but other questions are decided by simple majority. Among its' responsibilities, the General Assembly initiates studies and makes recommendations for: the peaceful settlement of disputes; increased cooperation among nations in the economic, social, humanitarian, cultural, educational and health fields; and achieving human rights and freedoms for the world's people.
The Security Council
The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is organized to be able to function continuously, and a representative of each of its members must be present at all times at United Nations Headquarters. When a threat to peace is brought before it, the Council's first action is usually to recommend that the parties try to reach agreement through discussion between and by peaceful means. In some cases, the Council itself undertakes an investigation and tries to help the parties find a solution. This process is known as mediation.
In such cases, the UN suggests to the parties certain principles for a peaceful settlement. When a dispute leads to fighting or war, the Council's works very quickly to bring it to an end as soon as possible. To do so, the Council asks for a cease-fire. It also can send United Nations peace-keeping troops to keep the peace to help reduce tensions so that a settlement can later be negotiated.
UN Health Programs
The UN works in many ways to improve the health of people around the world. In 1948 the World Health Organization was established. Its major task is to combat disease, and to promote the general health of the people of the world. The World Health Organization works to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and it supports the development of vaccines which protect people against catching diseases. It also supports research into the possible causes of disease. Another part of the UN that works on global health is UNICEF, which stands for the United Nations Children's Fund.
UNICEF works specifically on children's health and has been very active in vaccinating children around the world against polio and other diseases. UNICEF also works to educate people around the world about how to raise healthy children and live healthy lives.
UN Food Programs
The UN World Food Program is the largest organization in the world fighting global hunger and providing food assistance to people. In emergencies, the World Food Program gets food to where it is needed most, saving the lives of people affected by war and natural disasters. The World Food Program's food assistance reaches an average of 100 million people in 80 countries every year.
UN Peace Keeping Missions
United Nations peace keeping missions help countries involved in by war or conflict, create an environment for lasting peace. Peace keeping missions can create a better atmosphere which can serve as a foundation for peaceful negotiations and agreements. The first UN peacekeeping mission was established in 1948, when the Security Council authorized the deployment of UN military observers to the Middle East. Since then, there have been a total of 63 UN peacekeeping operations around the world. Many of the peace keeping missions today involve not only conflicts between nations, but internal conflicts pitting one group within a country against another.
UN Emergency Response Programs
The UN has many programs to help people suffering from disasters and emergencies. A special UN fund, known as the Central Emergency Response Fund, collects money from governments and organizations so it is ready to provide immediate assistance in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency such as war. The idea behind the fund is to have money available quickly so that lives can be saved. The fund distributes the money to many of the UN organizations that are involved in providing food, health and housing to those in need.
UN World Heritage Sites
Some of the World Heritage Sites in the United States that you might be familiar with are: Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon National Park, the Statue of Liberty and Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The idea behind the selection of World Heritage Sites is to help countries protect and conserve sites important to the world's heritage for the benefit of current and future generations. Our heritage is our history.
Through the UN's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, also known as UNESCO, 878 places or properties around the world have been selected as World Heritage Sites. To be selected a site must have "universal value," which means it must be important to all people of the world regardless of the territory in which it is located.
UN Work on Human Rights
The UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The Universal Declaration is built on the fundamental principle "that all humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights." "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person." Although the Declaration does not have the binding force of a treaty, it has acquired universal acceptability. This means that most countries have agreed to these basic principles. Many countries have cited the Declaration or included its provisions in their basic laws or constitutions.
UN Work on Climate Change
In 1994, most countries joined an international treaty -- the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -- to begin to consider what can be done to reduce global warming and to cope with whatever temperature increases are inevitable. More recently, a number of nations approved an addition to the treaty, the Kyoto Protocol, which has more powerful (and legally binding) measures.
Since climate change is a global problem, it will require the efforts of all people and all nations working together to find solutions. Visit the Planet Earth-Climate Expedition here at the park to learn more about climate change.
International Court of Justice
The Court was established in 1945 and settles legal disputes between nations. Only the 192 UN member nations are eligible to appear before the Court. The Court does not consider matters from individuals, non-governmental organizations, corporations or any other private entity. However, a government can bring the case for one of its individuals (for example, a person or company) against another State, because it then becomes a dispute between two governments.
World Trade Organization
The World Trade Organization, also known as the WTO provides a place for countries to discuss and reach agreements aimed at reducing obstacles to international trade and ensuring a level playing field for all. It is widely believed that trade among nations helps the world's economic growth and development. The World Trade Organization also allows nations to settle disputes relating to the agreements they have reached. Many trade agreements have been reached dating back to 1948 when the WTO was called the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade.
World Bank
The World Bank was created in 1944 to help rebuild Europe and Japan after World War II. (Its name then was the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) The World Bank is not like the bank in your city or town. You can't open account or deposit money there. The World Bank is a bank for countries. It is owned by more than 180 countries, rich and poor. Its role is to reduce poverty by lending money to the governments of its poorer members-often called developing countries-to improve the health of their economies and to improve the standard of living of their people.
International Cultural Exchange and Scientific Cooperation
Around the world, people, ideas, and cultures are coming into contact with each other more than ever before. The better we get to know and understand each other, the easier it will be for nations to work together for peace and to solve global problems such as poverty and climate change. When nations work together on a scientific research project, participate in global sporting events, or send artistic works or performers to other nations, they help build understanding. Student exchange programs, that allow young people from different nations to interact, will help future generations of leaders work together.
About the Wonder Rotunda
The Wonder Rotunda is an online children's adventure museum (for ages 7-12) that sparks curiosity, helps kids find their interests and passions, and inspires them to think about making a mark in the world. Topics explored include marine life, space exploration, animal life, classical music, nutrition, American government, globalization, climate change, money and business, the visual and performing arts, film making and climate change. Take the Free Tour
This adventure begins at the United Nations in New York City where you learn how the nations of the world work together. Then, hop the globe on a jet to learn how countries are working to tackle problems such as poverty and climate change. Upon your return to UN headquarters, get a personal glimpse of what it’s like to be an Ambassador.