History of the United Nations - Behind the News

Behind the News

31 Oct 202003:41

Summary

TLDRThe United Nations, established in 1945 post-WWII to prevent future conflicts, is an international organization with a mission to eradicate poverty, disease, and promote global security and human rights. Governed by a Security Council with five permanent members and overseen by the Secretary-General, it hosts the annual General Assembly in New York, offering a platform for diverse voices. Despite criticisms of inefficiency and bias, the UN celebrates its 75th anniversary, reflecting on achievements and potential.

Takeaways

🏛️ The United Nations (UN) is an international organization with its headquarters in one of the world's busiest cities, aimed at preventing future large-scale wars.
🕊️ Established in 1945 post-Second World War, the UN was founded by the 'big allied four' with a mission to foster international security and cooperation.
📜 The United Nations Charter, signed on July 24th, 1945, is a legally-binding agreement among member nations outlining the UN's goals, such as poverty and disease eradication, aid provision, health improvement, and human rights protection.
🗓️ The UN officially came into force on October 24th, 1945, which is now celebrated as the organization's birthday.
🌍 Today, the UN comprises 193 member countries, reflecting its global reach and influence.
🛡️ Managed by the Security Council, which includes five permanent members (France, Britain, the United States, China, and Russia), the UN plays a crucial role in conflict resolution.
🎙️ The General Assembly, overseen by the UN Secretary-General, meets annually and provides a platform for diverse voices, including politicians and influential figures like Beyoncé.
👶 Specialized agencies under the UN, such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF, focus on improving global health and the welfare of children, especially in disadvantaged regions.
🤔 Despite its accomplishments, the UN faces criticism for perceived inefficiencies, favoritism towards certain countries, and high operational costs.
🎉 As the UN turned 75, celebrations highlighted its achievements and the potential for future impact, emphasizing the ongoing mission of the organization.

Q & A

What is the primary mission of the United Nations?
-The primary mission of the United Nations is to prevent another huge war from happening again, as well as to achieve goals such as eradicating poverty and disease, providing food and aid, improving health services, disaster relief, protecting human rights, and ensuring countries follow international laws.
When and why was the United Nations first established?
-The United Nations was first established in 1945, just after the Second World War, by the big allied four with the intention to prevent future large-scale conflicts.
Where and when did the United Nations Charter originate?
-The United Nations Charter originated on April 25, 1945, during the largest international gathering at that time in San Francisco, California, with 850 representatives from 50 countries.
What is the significance of July 24th, 1945, in the history of the UN?
-On July 24th, 1945, after several revisions, the United Nations Charter was agreed upon and signed by all the countries involved, marking a significant step in the establishment of the UN.
When did the United Nations Charter come into force, and why is this date significant?
-The United Nations Charter came into force on October 24th, and this date is significant as it is now marked as the UN's birthday.
How many countries are part of the United Nations today?
-Today, the United Nations consists of 193 countries.
What role does the Security Council play in the United Nations?
-The Security Council plays a crucial role in helping countries resolve conflicts and is made up of five permanent members: France, Britain, the United States, China, and Russia.
Who is the current UN Secretary-General, and what is his role?
-Antonio Guterres is the current UN Secretary-General, and his role is to oversee the General Assembly and help make decisions for the organization.
When and where is the UN General Assembly held?
-The UN General Assembly is held every year in September at the New York headquarters.
What are some of the specialized agencies of the United Nations?
-Some of the specialized agencies of the United Nations include the World Health Organization and UNICEF, which focus on improving health services and the lives of children, especially in disadvantaged areas.
What criticisms does the United Nations face, and how do they relate to its effectiveness and operations?
-The United Nations faces criticisms such as not being as effective as it should be, favoring some countries over others, and spending too much money on its operations.
How did people celebrate the United Nations' 75th anniversary?
-People celebrated the United Nations' 75th anniversary by acknowledging its accomplishments and reflecting on what it can still achieve in the future.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Founding of the United Nations

The script introduces the United Nations (UN), an international organization established in 1945 with the aim of preventing future large-scale conflicts. It originated from the desire of the 'big allied four' to create an entity that would foster international security and cooperation. The UN's establishment is marked by the signing of the United Nations Charter on July 24, 1945, by representatives from 50 countries, which came into effect on October 24, now recognized as the UN's birthday. The Charter outlines the UN's objectives, including poverty and disease eradication, aid provision, health service improvement, disaster relief, human rights protection, and adherence to international law.

🏛️ Structure and Functioning of the UN

The script details the organizational structure of the UN, which is overseen by the Security Council comprising five permanent members: France, Britain, the United States, China, and Russia. Their role is to mediate and resolve international conflicts. The General Assembly, overseen by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, is held annually in September at the New York headquarters, allowing a diverse range of speakers, including politicians and influential figures like Beyoncé, to voice their opinions and concerns. The UN also encompasses specialized agencies such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF, which focus on improving global health and the welfare of children in disadvantaged regions.

🎉 The UN at 75: Achievements and Criticisms

The script concludes by reflecting on the UN's 75th anniversary, celebrating its accomplishments and contemplating its future potential. It acknowledges the organization's success in achieving some of its initial goals but also addresses criticisms regarding its effectiveness, alleged favoritism towards certain countries, and concerns about its operational costs. Despite these criticisms, the UN's 75th anniversary was marked by a widespread recognition of its achievements and a collective hope for its ongoing and future contributions to global peace and development.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among member countries. It plays a central role in the video as the main subject, highlighting its mission to prevent wars and promote global welfare. The script mentions the UN's establishment post-Second World War and its foundational document, the United Nations Charter.

💡International Organization

An international organization refers to a group of countries that have come together to work towards shared goals and address common issues. In the video, the UN is described as an international organization with a mission to maintain peace and security, which is exemplified by its formation by the 'big allied four' after World War II.

💡United Nations Charter

The United Nations Charter is the foundational treaty of the UN, which establishes the organization's purposes and principles. It is mentioned in the script as a legally-binding contract among member states, outlining the UN's objectives such as poverty alleviation, disease eradication, and human rights protection.

💡Security Council

The Security Council is one of the six main organs of the UN, responsible for maintaining international peace and security. The script identifies the five permanent members of the Security Council—France, Britain, the United States, China, and Russia—and their role in conflict resolution.

💡General Assembly

The General Assembly is a central component of the UN where all member states are represented. It is highlighted in the script as a platform for making decisions and giving voice to various individuals, including politicians and influential figures like Beyoncé.

💡UN Secretary-General

The UN Secretary-General is the chief administrative officer of the UN and is responsible for bringing the views of the UN to the world. The script refers to Antonio Guterres as the current Secretary-General, who oversees the General Assembly.

💡Specialized Agencies

Specialized agencies are autonomous organizations working with the UN and its member states to fulfill specific tasks. The script mentions agencies like the World Health Organization and UNICEF, which are dedicated to improving global health and the welfare of children, respectively.

💡Human Rights

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled. The script emphasizes the UN's role in protecting human rights as part of its mission, which is a fundamental aspect of its work in promoting global welfare.

💡International Laws

International laws are a set of rules and standards governing the relations and conduct of countries at the global level. The script notes that the UN ensures countries adhere to international laws, which is crucial for maintaining global order and cooperation.

💡Critics

Critics in the context of the video refer to individuals or groups who express concerns or disapproval of the UN's effectiveness, fairness, or financial management. The script acknowledges the existence of critics who believe the UN could perform better or operates with bias.

💡Post-War World

The term 'post-war world' refers to the period following a significant conflict, in this case, World War II. The video script discusses the establishment of the UN in the post-war world to lay the foundations of international security and to prevent future conflicts.

Highlights

The United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 after the Second World War with the mission to prevent future large-scale wars.

The UN was founded by the 'big allied four' to promote international security and cooperation.

The United Nations Charter, a legally-binding agreement, outlines the UN's goals such as poverty and disease eradication, aid provision, health improvement, and human rights protection.

The UN Charter was signed on July 24, 1945, by representatives from 50 countries, marking a significant international consensus.

October 24 is celebrated as the UN's birthday, the day the Charter came into force.

The UN currently consists of 193 member countries, reflecting its global reach and influence.

The Security Council, with five permanent members, plays a crucial role in conflict resolution and maintaining peace.

The UN Secretary-General, currently Antonio Guterres, oversees the General Assembly and guides the organization's direction.

The General Assembly is held annually in September, providing a platform for global leaders and representatives to discuss and make decisions.

The UN has specialized agencies like the World Health Organization and UNICEF that focus on specific areas of global concern, such as health and children's welfare.

Critics argue that the UN is not as effective as it should be, with concerns about favoritism and high operational costs.

Despite criticisms, the UN's 75th anniversary celebrations highlighted its achievements and potential for future impact.

The UN's work includes providing disaster relief and ensuring countries adhere to international laws.

The UN's headquarters is located in one of the world's busiest cities, symbolizing its central role in global affairs.

The UN's mission is supported by iconic moments and figures, such as Beyoncé performing at the General Assembly.

The UN's accomplishments are recognized, and its potential for future achievements is celebrated on its anniversary.