The UN and its Relevance
Garance Leblond
The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization composed of 193 different countries from around the world! It was created after World War II, with the main aim being to prevent future conflict by encouraging communication and cooperation between nations. Over the course of 80 years, many countries have joined and developed the UN as we know it today.
The UN during its establishment in San Francisco 1945.
Why is the United Nations so important?
The UN plays an important role in maintaining peace and security around the world. It’s a place for countries to work together, debate, and find agreements on international issues. By taking actions such as peacekeeping missions and delivering humanitarian aid, the UN is able to give support to vulnerable countries during times of conflict or crisis.
In addition, one of the UN’s main goals is to protect human rights, freedom, and encourage equality and justice for everyone, without taking their nationality, race, or religion into account. Over time, there have been many initiatives to make sure these rights are respected. For example, in December 1948, the UN helped establish the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It has also worked with many governments to improve their citizens' everyday lives and has developed peacekeeping missions to protect civilians.
The United Nations and Global Education
Education is essential in order to shape the future of both individuals and countries. In 2015, the UN decided to include education in one of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the aim of ensuring access to inclusive and equitable education for everyone. Between 2015 and 2024, the number of children completing primary school increased from 85% to 88%. However, a lot of progress can still be made.
Furthermore, through UNESCO, the UN is able to work with different countries to improve education systems, especially in areas affected by conflict or lacking resources. Its main motive is to encourage equal access to learning for everyone. With the help of this agency, the UN is also able to support schools and train teachers, helping children and teenagers around the world gain a better quality education. Eventually, this will contribute to reducing poverty by creating opportunities for future generations.
UN hosted international women's day parade in the Soloman Islands
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The United Nations’ Successes
The United Nations has proven its success many times, starting from the very beginning in 1945 when they helped prevent a third world war by neutralizing tensions between the USA and the USSR. It helped stabilize many countries after conflict, such as Cambodia, Namibia, Mozambique, and many more by bringing democracy, ending civil wars, and organizing elections. The organization has also set up many organizations such as UNICEF, UNHCR, and WFP to help reduce poverty and famine, aid refugees, improve education and much more. Some of their biggest achievements include: helping the WHO (World Health Organization) eliminate smallpox, which is the only human disease to have been completely wiped out, setting up the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and establishing the International Court of Justice.