The+United+Nations_dp

=The United Nations=


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Out of the atrocities and hardships of WWII, an international effort to encourage peaceful relations and universal cooperation was born.

Preceded by the League of Nations, the United Nations started as a cooperation of 51 states. It all began on January 1, 1942. Representatives from 26 states met during WWII and agreed to continue the fight against the Axis powers.

Before the UN, and even before the League of Nations, several organizations had already been founded to facilitate international cooperation: the International Telegraph Union (1865), the Permanent Court of Arbitration (1902) and the Universal Postal Union (1874) to name a few. Finally, a charter was drafted, and in 1945 members of the international community met in San Fransisco to draft a charter. On June 26, 1945 representatives from 50 countries signed the charter. (Poland was not able to attend, but it did sign as one of the original 51). The charter was ratified on the 24th of October 1945. All members of the Allies signed as well as China and many other nations.

The UN functions with several different bodies: the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, the Security Council, Trusteeship Council, and the Secretariat. Now, many of these (the General Assembly, the International Court of Justice, and the Security Council) are very familiar and need no explanation. But the others require explication. The Economic and Social Council is responsible for The Trusteeship Council was created in 1945 to place territories under the trust of seven member states. This council was to ensure that the proper actions were taken to facilited the growth of the territories into sovereign, stable nations.
 * "promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress;
 * identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems;
 * facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation; and
 * encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms (UN Economic and Social Council)."

The Secretariat manages the daily activities of the UN. With so much diversity, the Secretariat works with many different departments and with many different projects.

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