Date: Monday, February 14th, 2011-02-13 By: Stephanie Le 12U ISU Essay Intro

The United Nations

The United Nations has been known to be one of the most prestigious non-profit organization in the world. Yet not many people are aware of their purpose or know the individuals who make up the United Nations. The United Nations consists of 51countries, whose responsibilities are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations and promote social progress, better living standards and human rights.i It was first created in 1945 after the Second World War, to prevent such tragedies and horrific events from occurring again.ii The UNs main headquarters is situated in New York, where issues and decisions regarding peace, justice and economic and social well being are discussed.iii Due to the diversity found within the UN it has allowed more insights on controversial issues, the values and beliefs each country should try to follow. The UN is best known for its peacekeeping, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance throughout the world.iv They have been actively involved in many causes from helping child soldiers in Sierra Leone to AIDS in the Caribbean, showing that they are able to deal with issues on different ranges, with proficiency and ease.v They uphold universal values and morals that we all share and value and enforce them in places that dont. Along with peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance they also contribute to a number of other things such as their promotion of gender equality, protecting the environment, fighting diseases and epidemics and most of all their continuous support for education to be readily available to everyone around the world. They also provide aid for those who are refugees, making sure that they are safe and have all the necessities they require in order to stay healthy and alive. But how does the UN exactly enforce these universal values and beliefs and what role do they play in international law? End Notes:

UN at a Glance, 14 Feb.2011, http://www.un.org/en/ UN at a Glance, 14 Feb.2011, http://www.un.org/en/

ii

The story of United Nations Headquarters, 16 Feb.2011, http://www.un.org/geninfo/faq/factsheets/thestoryofunitednationsheadquarters.pdf

iii iv

UN at a Glance, 14 Feb.2011, http://www.un.org/en/ The UN works, 16 Feb.2011, http://www.un.org/works/home.asp?lang=en

Bibliography
UN at a Glance. United Nations. 14 February 2011 , http://www.un.org/en/ The Story of United Nations Headquarters. United Nations. 16 February 2011, at http://www.un.org/geninfo/faq/factsheets/thestoryofunitednationsheadquarters.pdf The UN Works. United Nations. 16 February 2011, http://www.un.org/works/home.asp?lang=en