United+Nations

Darrens Summary
media type="file" key="United Nations.mp3" width="240" height="20"

United Nations
Canada came out of World War II as an important middle power. This means it was neither a superpower like the United States and the Soviet Union nor militarily weak like some developing nations. At the war's end, the Canadian navy was the world's third largest, while Canada's air force was the fourth biggest worldwide. Canada ranked behind only the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain, France, and China in international stature. As a middle power, Canada had a military with which to defend itself and the international reputation to influence foreign nations.

Question
**1. What do you think "middle power" means?**

A new world order was emerging even before the war ended. The League of Nations set up after World War I had not worked. Its main tactic to prevent war was to use economic sanctions - its members wouldn't trade with aggressive nations. It did not use troops. Members also did not include all of the world's powerful countries. Although Canada was a member, the United States was not.

By 1936 the League of Nations was largely ignored. Prime Minister Mackenzie King said that Canada would not automatically support its actions. Given its limited power, the League of Nations was unable to prevent World War II. So in the summer of 1945, 50 nations met at San Francisco to try once more to set up a powerful worldwide organization.

The United Nations (UN) that was established was a bigger, stronger organization than the League of Nations. For one thing, the United Nations included all of the world's leading powers. The United States showed its commitment to the new organization by locating the UN headquarters in New York City. The founding members, including Canada, committed not only to world peace and security, but also to economic development and human rights.

UNICEF stands for United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. It was started in 1946 as a temporary way to help children uprooted by World War II. In 1953 it became a permanent part of the United Nations, assisting children and families in many nations.

**//Organization of the UN//**
All members send representatives to a General Assembly, but settling disputes is in the hands of a Security Council. This group has five permanent members, and another ten rotating members serving two-year terms. Each permanent member of the Council - the United States, the then Soviet Union, China, Britain, and France - must agree to decisions, such as sending armed forces to prevent or stop a war. Each one has veto power that can prevent any action from taking place. This veto power has often made it difficult for the United Nations to act quickly.

Several important United Nations institutions were also created to improve world living conditions. These include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO). In July 2000 the United Nations established a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The Forum has representatives who advise the Economic and Social Council on a wide range of issues affecting Indigenous (or Aboriginal) peoples.

**Task**
2. Brainstorm reasons why the United Nations is working to improve world living conditions. How is this connected to world peace and security? How is it connected to human rights?