Jul 06 2011
Legal Structure of the United Nations
The structure of the United Nations (U.N.) is one that is unique in comparison to any other government entity. This international organization was established on October 24, 1945 by 51 countries. Currently, the U.N. has 192 member states that all abide under the U.N. Charter, an international treaty that establishes international relations dealing with international law, human rights, economic rights, and social progression. The U.N. is distinct from other organizations because it acts a medium between various nations to effectuate positive change and implement policies that benefit the citizens within and outside the nation.
The U.N. has four main purposes: “to maintain international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations; and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.” The aftermath of World War II, created a strong sense of urgency to maintain global peace and order. President Roosevelt developed the term for the “United Nations” as means for a safe haven between nations and to promote globalization in a positive manner. The U.N. is currently comprised of 192 member states that all agreed to abide by the U.N. Charter; an international treaty that establishes basic principles of international relations. The U.N. is not a world government and it does not make laws. The essential purpose of the U.N. is to provide the means to create international relations and policies in order to solve international conflicts within a member state and between nations.
The U.N. is made up of 6 main organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat. Each organ contains many sub-agencies, consisting of various departments and offices. The General Assembly is the primary policy-making and decision-making organ that mandates most of the work of the U.N. The General Assembly works to effectuate systematic change by addressing complex political views and acts as a mechanism for the social systems of all nations to work cohesively.
The United Nations Millennium Development Campaign (UNMC) office is within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The UNDP is one of the many departments that report to the General Assembly. The UNDP is the U.N.’s global development network, committed to addressing problems and continues to foster positive change in global and national development. The UNDP’s main foci points are: democratic governance; poverty reduction; crisis prevention and recovery; environment and energy; and HIV/AIDS. The organization is located in 166 countries and overseas the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The role of the UNDP includes: supporting advocacy for the MDGs, researching and sharing strategies to meet the MDGs, monitoring the progress of MDGs in countries and preparing reports, and operational assistance to governments to further assist them to tailor MDGs specific to the country’s challenges.[1]
One of the primary roles of the UNDP is to support MDG based national development strategies and to help countries improve their capacity to achieving the MDGs. The three developments executed by the UNDP are: MDG- based diagnostics and investment planning; broadening policy options and choices; and strengthening the national capacity to ensure effective service delivery. With these three pillars, the UNDP services provide financial and technical assistance over the long-term process to achieving the MDGs by 2015. In addition, with UNDP has provided significant guidance to developing a framework which accelerates growth for human development.
Different from other U.N. offices, Millennium Development Campaign (UNMC) office works with both citizens and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) in achieving the MDGs. In comparison, other U.N. agencies work with national governments and legislators. The approach that the UNMC has with nations is very effective because it channels two important functions: enforceability and accountability. By a top-down approach, the UNMC works with international NGOs to help implement and enforce policies targeting the MDGs. On a bottom-up approach, the UNMC encourages and inspires citizens to hold their governments accountable and demand solutions to achieving the MDGs.
The work the UNMC office has done to eradicate persisting poverty is incredibly powerful. The energy and passion of the people within the office is remarkable in this journey to achieving the MDGs by 2015. It’s a humbling realization that the work the UNMC office has been doing for years is making tremendous progress as we advance together in this global society.
[1] http://www.undp.org/mdg/roles.shtml