The United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 after thepresent League of Nations failed to meet its objectives, particularly ending the Second World War. In 1945, several nations signed the UN’s charter, abestowment to upholding international peace and security. Currently, the United Nations has 192 members andseveral peacekeeping operations. The United Nations is an international organization whose main objectives involveupholding worldwide peace and security, enhancingaffable relations between nations,encouraging social progress, and improving living conditions and human rights. Whereas the original charter asserts the necessity for global peace, the UN works on elementalmatters, for instance, sustainable development, ecological and refugees’fortification, adversityreprieve, anti-terror campaign, disarmament and non-proliferation to enhancingdemocratic system, human right, sexual categoryparity, and the progression of women. The United Nations enables, promotes, and protects the interests of people in an interactive, inter-connected, and inter-dependent world. All these efforts are attained through governance, economic and social harmony to ensure the objectives are attained, and they provide a safer world for the present and future generations.
In its seventy-three years of existence, the UN has expanded into several roles in the global community, which were previouslyignored by the system of nations. The UN applies soft power in enhancing its policies globally,and, hence,it has been consideredan underdog by many nations. Nonetheless, the organization’s important policies havereinforced itsattainment, as its provisions for political, economic, environmental, and human right concernshave been adopted across the globe. This process has enabledthe UN to enhance and protect the interests of people. The United Nations through theSecurity Council has to ensured peace in several parts of the world (Okhovat 7). To make sure that the interests of people are promoted in an interactive and interconnected world, the UN plays numerousexclusive roles in the global community: facilitator, consultant, and actor. Considering the existence of the UN with regards to the political International Theory (IR), it is noteworthy that the organization has performed these responsibilities. The currentglobal system is radical, signifying that there is no over-arching commanding body. Preceding the World War I, all main global quarrels were fundamentally resolved through wars (Dykmann 80). Therefore, the United Nations has played a core role of as a representative of all countries in the international system, hence, standing for the rights and interests of all people through negotiations.
The United Nations provides a forum for discussionto enhancecountries’ interests in an interactive atmosphere. The organization facilitates dialogue between small nations, influentialnations, and non-state actors through a medium thatconsent tothepossibility of non-aggressiveresolutions. This is an approach that no single nation or state has been able to achieve, and it is anadvantage to the global community. One of the four functions of the United Nations is tocollaborate in addressing globalcrises and enhancing respect for human rights (Kutesa n.p.). The UN’s envoycongregations form important mediums for developingbilateralconcords for globalquandaries. The UN is so significant that even ifan influential nation takes action, it is considerably less efficient than if severalcountries were to do the same with the same conditionsand objectives. Economic sanctions have a higherpossibility of attaining the preferredoutcome if they are mutual instead of originatingfrom a small number of individualnations. Consequently, the provision for discussionisamong the organization’s significant roles.
The UN arrangementoperates in a distinct pattern to enhance economic and social goals.The functions of the dedicated agencies wrappractically all aspects of economic and social endeavor that promote the interest people and nations. The agencies offer technical support and other types of usefulassistance to nations across the globe. In collaborationwith the organization, they assistin inventingguidelines, laying down standards and guiding principles, promoting support, and marshalling funds. The World Bank, for instance, offers billion dollarsas development loans to several developing nations. Furthermore, the organizations ensure a close managementof specific agencies in ensuring the interest of particular people and nations are attained. The main coordinating office is the Secretary General to the organization.For example, the UN programs and funds operate under the influence of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. To develop thegeneral cooperation, the Secretary-General introduced the UN Development Group encompassing the UN operational programs and fundsin 1997. The UN Development Program (UNDP), which is the organization’smajorcontributor of grants for sustainable human development globally, is vigorouslyconcerned withthe achievement of the millennium development goals. In terms of children’s interests, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is the main UN bodyensuring the long-term continued existence, fortification, and progression of children.
The United Nations is active in several nations, areas, and regions. The organization’s health programs center on vaccination, primary health care, nutrition, and basic education. Several otherprograms,in partnership with specific nation’s governments and NGOs,ensure development(Fues, Thomas, Li Dongyan, and Martina 2). The World Food Program (WFP), for instance, is the world’s largest global food aid organization for both crisis relief and development. Moreover, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is the biggestglobal provider of population aid. The UN Environment Program (UNEP) ensureseffective environmental practices are carried out globally, and the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) aids individuals and nations living with health-intimidating housing situations. As a way of enhancing the input of the developing nations’ interests in the international economy, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) supportglobal trade. UNCTAD also works in collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO), a separate body, in helping developing nations’ exports through the International Trade Centre.Therefore,the UN system increasinglypools its effortsto addressintricateconcerns ofseveral organizational fields of knowledge and challenge the hard work of a nation acting alone,hence,promoting the interests of people in different nations in an international platform.
The fundamental responsibilities of the United Nationsinclude promoting higher standards of living, increasing employment opportunities, and enhancing economic and social progress and development. These are the main challenges that many people across the globe, particularly third world and developing nations face. The organization’sis devoted to attaining this responsibility. Several populations across the globe live beyond poverty line, and eliminating poverty and enhancing the well-being of people is a step towards enhancinglong-lasting world peace. The UN offers exceptional strengths in fostering development. The United Nations presence is international, andits all-inclusive mandate extents social, economic, and crisisrequirements. Moreover, the organization represents the needs and interests of every person regardless of race, ethnicity, or social background. When mainguidelineverdicts are agreed, all nations, rich and poor, have a voice, and this ensures inclusivity and equality.
In the past, several people and nations have condemned the United Nations for being a toothless dog. Others see it as serving the needs of influential nations. Nonetheless, the organization is essential to the provision of important services to all nations and enhancement of peace and security. It ensures that the needs and interests of people and nations are attained through an interactive and interdependent world. The UN continues to be significant in ensuring thewell-being and development of the entire world.
Woks Cited
Dykmann, Klaas. “On the Origins of the United Nations: When and How Did it Begin?” Journal of International Organizations Studies 3.1 (2012): 79-84.
http://journal-iostudies.org/sites/journal-iostudies.org/files/JIOSfinal_9_0.pdf
Fues, Thomas, Li Dongyan, and Martina Vatterodt. “The role of the United Nations in the global development architecture: steps towards greater coherence.” Annual meeting. 2007.
https://www.die-gdi.de/uploads/media/Download_the_full_text__74_kb__01.pdf
Kutesa, Sam Kahamba. “The role of the United Nations in ensuring a secure, prosperous and equitable world.” UN Chronicle 52.2 (2015): 13-13. https://unchronicle.un.org/article/reflection-role-united-nations-ensuring-secure-prosperous-and-equitable-world Accessed 24 April 2018.
Okhovat, Sahar. The United Nations Security Council: its veto power and its reform. Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, The University of Sydney, 2012.
https://sydney.edu.au/arts/peace_conflict/docs/working_papers/UNSC_paper.pdf