Objectives of the United Nations and its background history

Understand the expected role of the United Nations and its characteristics by explaining the purpose of the United Nations emerging from its historical background.

World War I and the League of Nations, World War II and the United Nations, UN Charter, Enemy state clauses (Articles 53, 77 & 107 of the UN Charter)

Principles of the United Nations

Lay the foundation for understanding the possibilities and limits of UN operations in each area by scrutinizing the seven principals set out in Article 2 of the UN Charter.

Article 2 of the UN Charter

Member States and Secretariat of the United Nations

Understand the qualifications and recognition issues of new Member States (Cold War, national recognition, integration and separation of states) of the United Nations. Grasp the roles of the Secretary-General, the Secretariat including international civil servants, which are indispensable for the operation of the United Nations.

Status of Member States, Secretariat, Secretary-General, international civil servants

Organizational structure and functions of the United Nations (1)

Understand the powers and functions of the principal bodies (General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council).

General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council

Organizational structure and functions of the United Nations (2)

Understand the powers and functions of the principal bodies (Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice). Understand the establishment, activities and financial resources of UN specialized agencies, Programs and Funds, that practice the principles of the United Nations.

Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice, Article 63 of the UN Charter, Programs and Funds established by the General Assembly

The United Nations for peace and security (1)

Understand the ideas of the UN Charter, such as the principle of prohibiting the use of force, the exercise of the right to self-defense (individually and collectively), and the collective security that envisions the UN army. Also delve into the functions and limits of the Security Council.

principle of prohibiting the use of force, self-defense, collective security, UN Army, Security Council, Permanent Members of the Security Council, veto power

The United Nations for peace and security (2)

Understand peaceful settlement of disputes, enforcement measures (economic and military sanctions) as well as peacekeeping operations (PKO) that complements the incomplete UN collective security system. In addition to these, understand peace mediation and the Peace Commission as new lines of work for peace and security.

peaceful settlement of disputes, enforcement measures (economic and military sanctions), coalition forces, PKO, peace mediation, Peace Commission

The United Nations for peace and security (3)

Understand the changes in the functions of the peacekeeping operations (PKO) in response to the demand of the times. Deepen the understandings of PKO’s activities and challenges by examining specific cases of PKO.

first generation of PKO, second generation of PKO, third generation of PKO, Palestine (UNTSO), Suez Crisis (UNEF), Cambodia (UNTAC), Somalia (UNOSOM), Bosnia-Herzegovina (UNPROFOR), Rwanda (UNAMIR), East Timor (UNAMET)

The United Nations for peace and security (4)

Understand the issues of “abusing the authority of the United Nations”, such as the use of force without authorization from the Security Council, reconstruction of a nation by a third country using the legitimacy of the United Nations, disablement of UN peace mediation by big powers.

coalition force, reconstruction of Iraq, peace mediation for Syria

The United Nations for human rights and humanitarian assistance (1)

Understand the development of human rights protection and promotion activities of the United Nations by examining various human rights covenants and treaties, the activities of the Human Rights Council and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenants on Human Rights (civil and political rights, and economic, social and cultural rights), Human Rights Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

The United Nations for human rights and humanitarian assistance (2)

Understand the transition of refugee assistance that has been conducted by UN High Commissioner for Refugees for 70 years after World War II. Also examine the effects and limitations of humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect (R2P).

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Convention Relating the Status of Refugees and its Protocol, Global Compact on Refugees, humanitarian intervention, the responsibility to protect

The United Nations for economic and social activities (1)

Understand the trends and focuses within the United Nations from the time it was founded to the 1970s regarding post-war reconstruction, support for emerging independent nations, and subsequent North-South issues.

Bretton Woods System, self-determination of people, UN Development Decade, North-South issues

The United Nations for economic and social activities (2)

Understand that when the debt problems in developing countries became more serious in the 1980s, structural adjustment led by the World Bank became a mainstream solution. In the 1990s, focus shifted to economic and social development and the response to climate change as important UN mandates.

structural adjustment, development paradigm, human development index, climate change

The United Nations for economic and social activities (3)

Understand that since 2000, the concept of human security has gradually consolidated in the United Nations. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the subsequent Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been adopted. All the member states are expected to make efforts in achieving the SDGs.

Human security, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Prospects and challenges for the United Nations

In response to the question, “is the United Nations founded in the 20th century capable of responding to new challenges in the 21st century?” let us think prospects and challenges of the United Nations by reviewing the issues of national sovereignty, various UN policies of Member States, and emerging global issues.

national sovereignty versus UN, UN’s centripetal force on global issues, reform of the Security Council

40% for evaluation based on class participation including submission of communication cards attendance cards with small assignments.
60% for a report on a UN related theme will be required. The topic and other details will be announced in due course.