Ans: The United Nations:
After the First World War, the League of Nations was established in 1910,
but these organisations lost its usefulness after the Second World War.
Seeing the aftermath of the war, the human race considered it necessary to
create a new organisation to promote mutual cooperation and to put a stop
to future wars. The heads of states of the big countries held many meetings,
At last, a conference was held in 1945 in San Francisco, America, and it was
decided to create the United Nations. The representatives of 50 states
approved the charter of United Nations on 25th June 1945. This organisation
came into being on 24th October, 1945.
The objectives for establishing United Nations:
1. Establishing international peace.
2. Economic and social cooperation.
3. Provision of justice
4. Resolving human problems.
Organs of the United Nations:
The following six basic organs of the United Nations:
1. General Assembly
2. Security Council
3. Trusteeship Council
4. Economic and Social Council
5. International Court of Justice
6. Secretariat
General Assembly:
The General Assembly is the biggest organ of the United Nations. The
representatives of all the member countries participate in the General
Assembly session. Its session’ is held every year in September. Its
Council, giving membership to new states and terminating the membership
of some state, approving the budget of the United Nations and taking
measures to establish world peace, etc.
Security Council:
This is United Nation’s second and very important organ. This organ is
considered as the administrative wing of the United Nations. The total
number of members of the Security Council is 15. From among them,
America, Russia, Britain, France and People’s Republic of China are 5
permanent members. The Security Council sessions are held after small
intervals. The President of the Council is elected every month. The decisions
of the Security Council are made after the consent of at least 9 members.out
of 15. But it is necessary that these 9 members should include the 5
permanent members. If a permanent member gives a negative opinion, then
the decision cannot be made. This right of a permanent member is called
‘veto’. Its main duties include establishing peace, resolving international
disputes, membership of new countries and recommendation of its
cancellation, electing the judges of the International Court of Justice and
sending recommendations to the General Assembly for the election of the
General Secretary.
Trusteeship Council:
This organ of the United Nations made arrangements to improve the
condition of the ruined nations after the Second World War. It acted for the
completion of the cultural, educational, economic, social and other needs of
these regions as a supervisor. This supervision would continue till these
nations became capable of attaining independence. Now this organ has lost
its usefulness.
Economic and Social Council:
There are a total of 54 members in this council. They are elected by the
United Nations General Assembly and Security Council together. The tenure
of each member is 3 years. 1/3 of the members retire each year and new
members are elected in their place. The council meetings are held thrice a
year. Other than these, special meetings can be called too. The members of
the Economic and Social Council elect a president from among themselves..
Its responsibilities include raising the standard of living of man, trying for
economic and social development, collaboration in the educational, scientific
and cultural fields, taking measures to eradicate unemployment, poverty and
disease etc.
International Court of Justice:
An important organ of the United Nations is the International Court of
Justice. There are a total of 15 judges in the court who belong to different
countries and who are elected for a period of 9 years by General Assembly
and Security Council together. More than one judge cannot be taken from a
country. The court makes its decision according to the opinion of the majority
of the present members. Its responsibilities include resolving disputes
among states according to the manifesto of the United Nations. In addition,
hearing the cases on all topics, interpreting and explaining international laws
and giving legal advice to the different organs of the United Nations are also
included in its duties.
Secretariat:
This is the United Nations record office and is situated in New York. The
head of the Secretariat is called the Secretary General. “Many secretaries are
also elected for his assistance. The General Assembly and the Security
Council elect the Secretary General for five years. Its main responsibility is to
keep the proceedings of the meetings of all the organs and documentation in
its safe-keeping.