The United Nations (UN) is an international organisation of countries.
The UN was formed after the tragedy of the Second World War to promote international peace, achieve international cooperation for international problems and advance human rights. Australia became a member of the UN in 1945 and was one of the very first members. Since then nearly every nation in the world has joined the UN and there are now 192 member countries.
The UN, together with its programmes, funds and specialised agencies, makes up the UN system.
These goals and the role of the UN are set out in the UN Charter.
Why do we need a United Nations?
We live in a global community and the is ideally placed to deal with some of the major issues facing our world.
- The UN and its agencies provide a forum for the development and enforcement of international human rights standards.
- Countries which are members of the UN appoint diplomatic representatives to interact with representatives from other nations at UN headquarters and agencies. When there is conflict in the world, or urgent issues requiring discussion, these representatives are able to deal with the issue quickly and with international support.
- The UN and its agencies help to share information, build economies and provide assistance for development, or to deal with crises. The aim is to eradicate disease, expand food production and increase stability around the world.
- The UN and its agencies protect vulnerable groups of human beings including women, children, refugees, displaced persons, minorities, indigenous people and people with disabilities.
Who participates in the United Nations?
Only governments of independent countries, or sovereign states, can be members of the UN. Non-government organisations (NGOs), however, have come to play an important role in the functioning of the UN. NGOs provide information, lobby and negotiate.
For example, Amnesty International and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines are two NGOs that have had a valuable impact on the advancement of human rights at the international level through the UN. Both of these organisations are non-profit, voluntary groups made up of ordinary citizens from around the world. In Australia, NGOs are often referred to as the 'community sector'.
Some 3,187 NGOs have a special UN status know as 'consultative status' with the Economic and Social Council at the UN. This allows these NGOs to attend UN conferences, address specific meetings and interact with country representatives. In poorer countries, NGOs work together with the UN to help people in need.