Thursday, May 13, 2010

The Role of the United Nations (UN)






The United Nations was established in 1945 at the end of World war II. Its main aim was to establish peace and to make sure that genocide could not happen again.
One of the first documents drawn up by the UN was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Australia was involved in the drafting of the UDHR and has been a vocal campaigner for human rights since then.

The UN is an inter-governmental organisation (agency set up by two or more countries to carry out projects and plans in common interest). Along with 151 other countries, Australia is a member. This means that we have an obligation to abide by the decisions of the UN including the UDHR which was agreed in the General Assembly.

Another important role of the UN is peacekeeping. As part of our international obligations, Australia has defence force troops in many UN missions to keep peace and protect citizens around the world.


Describe the location of Australian peace keepers acting for the United Nations in 2009.
Why do you think peace keeping is an important part of protecting human rights?

Read the aims of the UN at the top of this section. Explain why the Un is not always successful in achieving its aims.

What would be necessary to achieve peace and the protection of Human Rights?
Why won't this happen?

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