TyroCity: International Organizations

Membership of the United Nations

International Organizations — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:41:42 +0000

Article 4, UN Charter

Substantive requirements

state
Peace loving
accept obligations, able & willing

Procedural requirements

SC recommends
GA takes a decision

The procedure for Membership is briefly as follows:

The State submits an application to the Secretary-General and a letter formally stating that it accepts the obligations under the Charter.
The Security Council considers the application. Any recommendation for admission must receive the affirmative votes of 9 of the 15 members of the Council, provided that none of its five permanent members — China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America — have voted against the application.
If the Council recommends admission, the recommendation is presented to the General Assembly for consideration. A two-thirds majority vote is necessary in the Assembly for admission of a new State.
Membership becomes effective the date the resolution for admission is adopted.

Specialized Agencies of the UN

International Organizations — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:41:42 +0000

Autonomous organizations joined to the UN through special agreements

ILO (International Labour Organization)
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN)
UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
WHO (World Health Organization)
World Bank group
IMF (International Monetary Fund)
ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)
UPU (Universal Postal Union)
ITU (International Telecommunication Union)
WMO (World Meteorological Organization)
IMO (International Maritime Organization)
WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development)
UNIDO (UN Industrial Development Organization)
IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)

UNICEF in Nepal

International Organizations — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:41:42 +0000

The 2008-2010 programme is focussed on the poorest and most excluded, including children and young people impacted by the conflict. It stresses women’s and young people’s participation and seeks to assist local communities to better manage their development needs – and importantly to strengthen the relationship between community and government. At the policy level, UNICEF works to develop appropriate legislation and policies for children, with the government. The programme is also prepared for emergency response given Nepal’s particular susceptibility to natural disasters.

The full three year programme is budgeted at USD 68,214,000, of which USD 20,214,000 has been allocated internally. USD 48,000,000 is required to be raised from donors over the three year period. This document outlines the seven programme areas of UNICEF’s work in Nepal, indicating budget requirements for every project in the 2008 – 2010 programme.

DACAW
The Decentralised Action for Children and Women (DACAW) approach is UNICEF’s primary vehicle for directing a range of interventions to rural communities across Nepal. It aims to strengthen the capacity of individuals and communities; improve the delivery of necessary services; ensure local government plans and implements effective programmes; and support policies for decentralisation in favour of children and women. UNICEF’s sectoral programmes are channelled through DACAW in 23 of 75 districts in Nepal.

Child Protection
UNICEF’s Child Protection programme aims to strengthen the capacity of the Government and civil society to protect children against violence, exploitation and abuse and seeks to support the building of protective systems covering all types of child rights violations.

Education
The Education programme aims to improve access to quality learning opportunities for all children, and enable girls and disadvantaged children to complete a basic education cycle and graduate to lower secondary level.

Health and Nutrition
The Health and Nutrition programme aims to improve access to quality health interventions and improved services for maternal, newborn and children’s health.

HIV/AIDS
The HIV/AIDS programme aims to reduce new HIV infections among young people and to provide access to preventive services for AIDS treatment, care and support for children, pregnant women and adolescents.

WASH
The water, sanitation and hygiene programme aims to increase access to sustainable and safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, and improved hygiene practices in schools and communities, thus contributing to a reduction of related diseases.

Social Policy
The social policy programme supports the government in the development of policies, legislation and budgets that advance women’s and children’s rights, especially among the most marginalised groups. This programme also covers external relations work and monitoring of the situation of children and women in Nepal, and evaluation of programmatic response effectiveness.

History of UNICEF in Nepal

UNICEF celebrated 40 years of work in Nepal in 2008 and has participated in many of the development strides the country has taken in that time from basic services in the 60s, immunisations in the 70s, early childhood rights, education and protection in the 80s, empowering communities to monitor and advocate for their own health and education needs in the 90s, and an emphasis on protection during the conflict in the 2000s.

The 2008-2010 programme is focussed on the poorest and most excluded, including young people impacted by the conflict. It stresses women’s and young people’s participation and seeks to assist local communities to better manage their development needs – and importantly to strengthen the relationship between community and government. The programme works in the Child Protection, Education, Health, HIV/AIDS, Water and Sanitation, and Social Policy Sectors. Programmes are delivered both nationally and through UNICEF’s Decentralised Action for Children and Women approach (DACAW).

At the policy level, UNICEF works to develop appropriate legislation and policies for children with the government. The programme is also prepared for emergency response given Nepal’s particular susceptibility to natural disasters.

Works of UNICEF

Decentralised Action for Children and Women

The Decentralised Action for Children and Women (DACAW) approach is UNICEF’s primary vehicle for directing a range of interventions to rural communities across Nepal.

Child Protection

Building an environment that protects children against violence, exploitation and abuse

Child Protection Systems
Children Affected by Armed Conflict
Legislation and Policies for Child Protection

Education
Quality primary education for all children in Nepal

Early Childhood Development
Formal Primary Education
Non-formal Primary Education
Peace and Emergency Education

Health and Nutrition
For improved survival, growth and development of children and women

Child Survival
Maternal Health
Nutrition
National Health Sector Support

HIV and AIDS
Reducing the spread

PMTCT
Paediatric HIV and AIDS Treatment
Adolescent HIV and AIDS Prevention
Protection and Care for Children Affected by HIV and AIDS

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Clean water and sanitation saves lives

Quality Water Supply
Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene
National District Level Sector Support

Social Policy

UNICEF supports the Government in development of policies, legislation and budgets that advance women’s and children’s rights, especially among the most marginalized groups.

Emergencies

UNICEF supports the government and key partners to enhance knowledge and skills necessary to meet the immediate needs of children affected by humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters.

Communication for Development

UNICEF promotes positive individual behavior and social change that is an integral part of development programmes, policy advocacy and humanitarian work.

Principal Organs of UN

International Organizations — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:41:42 +0000

Under the charter, the United Nations has six organs-

The General Assembly
The Security Council
The Economic & Social Council
The Trusteeship council
The International Court of Justice &
The Secretariat

General Assembly

All the member states are represented in the General Assembly, each having one vote

The main functions of the General Assembly are:

To discuss the powers and functions of other organs
To elect ten non-permanent members of security council
To elect the Judges of the ICJ
To admit new members &
To appoint secretary General
To pass the annual budget and programs of UN
The Assembly cannot force action by any State, but its recommendations are an important indication of world opinion and represent the moral authority of the community of nations.
The Assembly holds its annual regular session from September to December. When necessary, it may resume its session or hold a special or emergency session on subjects of particular concern.
When the Assembly is not meeting, its work is carried out by its six main committees, other subsidiary bodies and the UN Secretariat.

Six Committees of GA

First Committee
- Disarmament and International Security
Second Committee
- Economic and Financial
Third Committee
- Social, Humanitarian and Cultural
Fourth Committee
- Special Political and Decolonization
Fifth Committee
- Administrative and Budgetary
Sixth Committee
- Legal

Origin of The League of Nations

International Organizations — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:41:42 +0000

The League of Nations came into being after the end of World War One. The League of Nation’s task was simple – to ensure that war never broke out again. After the turmoil caused by the Versailles Treaty, many looked to the League to bring stability to the world.

America entered World War One in 1917. The country as a whole and the president – Woordrow Wilson in particular – was horrified by the slaughter that had taken place in what was meant to be a civilized part of the world. The only way to avoid a repetition of such a disaster, was to create an international body whose sole purpose was to maintain world peace and which would sort out international disputes as and when they occurred. This would be the task of the League of Nations.

After the devastation of the war, support for such a good idea was great (except in America where isolationism was taking root).

Aims of the United Nations

International Organizations — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:41:42 +0000

To keep peace throughout the world.
To develop friendly relations between nations.
To work together to help people live better lives, to eliminate poverty, disease and illiteracy in the world, to stop environmental destruction and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms.
To be a centre for helping nations achieve these aims.

The Trusteeship Council

International Organizations — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:41:42 +0000

The task of supervising the administration of Trust Territories placed under the Trusteeship System.

Major Goals of the Council:

to promote the advancement of the inhabitants of Trust Territories.
To promote their progressive development towards self-government or independence

The Structure of the Council:

1.Permament members + administering members + non-administering members
For instance the situation in 1950

2.Later on only 5 permanent members

Working of the Council:

authorized to examine and discuss reports from the Administering Authority on the political, economic, social and educational advancement of the peoples of Trust Territories
in consultation with the Administering Authority, to examine petitions from and undertake periodic and other special missions to Trust Territories

Contemporary Position of the Council:

suspended operation on 1 November 1994, with the independence of Palau, the last remaining United Nations trust territory
By a resolution adopted on 25 May 1994, drop the obligation to meet annually agreed to meet as occasion required

Weakness of The League

International Organizations — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:41:42 +0000

The country, whose president, Woodrow Wilson, had dreamt up the idea of the League – America – refused to join it. As America was the world’s most powerful nation, this was a serious blow to the prestige of the League. However, America’s refusal to join the League, fitted in with her desire to have an isolationist policy throughout the world.

Germany was not allowed to join the League in 1919. As Germany had started the war, according to the Treaty of Versailles, one of her punishments was that she was not considered to be a member of the international community and, therefore, she was not invited to join. This was a great blow to Germany but it also meant that the League could not use whatever strength Germany had to support its campaign against aggressor nations.

Russia was also not allowed to join as in 1917, she had a communist government that generated fear in western Europe, and in 1918, the Russian royal family – the Romanovs – was murdered. Such a country could not be allowed to take its place in the League.

Therefore, three of the world’s most powerful nations (potentially for Russia and Germany) played no part in supporting the League. The two most powerful members were Britain and France – both had suffered financially and militarily during the war – and neither was enthusiastic to get involved in disputes that did not affect western Europe.

Therefore, the League had a fine ideal – to end war for good. However, if an aggressor nation was determined enough to ignore the League’s verbal warnings, all the League could do was enforce economic sanctions and hope that these worked as it had no chance or enforcing its decisions using military might.

ASEAN Charter

International Organizations — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:41:42 +0000

The ASEAN Charter serves as a firm foundation in achieving the ASEAN Community by providing legal status and institutional framework for ASEAN. It also codifies ASEAN norms, rules and values; sets clear targets for ASEAN; and presents accountability and compliance.

The ASEAN Charter entered into force on 15 December 2008. A gathering of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers was held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta to mark this very historic occasion for ASEAN.

With the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN will henceforth operate under a new legal framework and establish a number of new organs to boost its community-building process.

In effect, the ASEAN Charter has become a legally binding agreement among the 10 ASEAN Member States. It will also be registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations, pursuant to Article 102, Paragraph 1 of the Charter of the United Nations.

The importance of the ASEAN Charter can be seen in the following contexts:

New political commitment at the top level
New and enhanced commitments
New legal framework, legal personality
New ASEAN bodies
Two new openly-recruited DSGs
More ASEAN meetings
More roles of ASEAN Foreign Ministers
New and enhanced role of the Secretary-General of ASEAN
Other new initiatives and changes

The Failures of the League of Nations

International Organizations — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:41:42 +0000

Article 11 of the League’s Covenant stated:

“Any war of threat of war is a matter of concern to the whole League and the League shall take action that may safe guard peace.”
Therefore, any conflict between nations which ended in war and the victor of one over the other must be considered a League failure.

Italy (1919)

In 1919, Italian nationalists, angered that the “Big Three” had, in their opinion, broken promises to Italy at the Treaty of Versailles, captured the small port of Fiume. This port had been given to Yugoslavia by the Treaty of Versailles. For 15 months, Fiume was governed by an Italian nationalist called d’Annunzio. The newly created League did nothing. The situation was solved by the Italian government who could not accept that d’Annunzio was seemingly more popular than they were – so they bombarded the port of Fiume and enforced a surrender. In all this the League played no part despite the fact that it had just been set up with the specific task of maintaining peace.

Teschen (1919)

Teschen was a small town between Poland and Czechoslovakia. Its main importance was that it had valuable coal mines there which both the Poles and the Czechs wanted. As both were newly created nations, both wanted to make their respective economies as strong as possible and the acquisition of rich coal mines would certainly help in this respect.

In January 1919, Polish and Czech troops fought in the streets of Teschen. Many died. The League was called on to help and decided that the bulk of the town should go to Poland while Czechoslovakia should have one of Teschen’s suburbs. This suburb contained the most valuable coal mines and the Poles refused to accept this decision. Though no more wholesale violence took place, the two countries continued to argue over the issue for the next twenty years.

Vilna (1920)

Many years before 1920, Vilna had been taken over by Russia. Historically, Vilna had been the capital of Lithuania when the state had existed in the Middle Ages. After World War One, Lithuania had been re-established and Vilna seemed the natural choice for its capital.

However, by 1920, 30% of the population was from Poland with Lithuanians only making up 2% of the city’s population. In 1920, the Poles seized Vilna. Lithuania asked for League help but the Poles could not be persuaded to leave the city. Vilna stayed in Polish hands until the outbreak of World War Two. The use of force by the Poles had won.

War between Russia and Poland (1920 to 1921)

In 1920, Poland invaded land held by the Russians. The Poles quickly overwhelmed the Russian army and made a swift advance into Russia. By 1921, the Russians had no choice but to sign the Treaty of Riga which handed over to Poland nearly 80,000 square kilometres of Russian land. This one treaty all but doubled the size of Poland.

What did the League do about this violation of another country by Poland?

The answer is simple – nothing. Russia by 1919 was communist and this “plague from the East” was greatly feared by the West. In fact, Britain, France and America sent troops to attack Russia after the League had been set up. Winston Churchill, the British War Minister, stated openly that the plan was to strangle Communist Russia at birth. Once again, to outsiders, it seemed as if League members were selecting which countries were acceptable and ones which were not. The Allied invasion of Russia was a failure and it only served to make Communist Russia even more antagonistic to the West.

The invasion of the Ruhr (1923)

The Treaty of Versailles had ordered Weimar Germany to pay reparations for war damages. These could either be paid in money or in kind (goods to the value of a set amount) In 1922, the Germans failed to pay an installment. They claimed that they simply could not rather than did not want to. The Allies refused to accept this and the anti-German feeling at this time was still strong. Both the French and the Belgium’s believed that some form of strong action was needed to ‘teach Germany a lesson’.

In 1923, contrary to League rules, the French and the Belgium’s invaded the Ruhr – Germany’s most important industrial zone. Within Europe, France was seen as a senior League member – like Britain – and the anti-German feeling that was felt throughout Europe allowed both France and Belgium to break their own rules as were introduced by the League. Here were two League members clearly breaking League rules and nothing was done about it.

For the League to enforce its will, it needed the support of its major backers in Europe, Britain and France. Yet France was one of the invaders and Britain was a major supporter of her. To other nations, it seemed that if you wanted to break League rules, you could. Few countries criticised what France and Belgium did. But the example they set for others in future years was obvious. The League clearly failed on this occasion, primarily because it was seen to be involved in breaking its own rules.

Italy and Albania (1923)
The border between Italy and Albania was far from clear and the Treaty of Versailles had never really addressed this issue. It was a constant source of irritation between both nations.

In 1923, a mixed nationality survey team was sent out to settle the issue. Whilst travelling to the disputed area, the Italian section of the survey team, became separated from the main party. The five Italians were shot by gunmen who had been in hiding.

Italy accused Greece of planning the whole incident and demanded payment of a large fine. Greece refused to pay up. In response, the Italians sent its navy to the Greek island of Corfu and bombarded the coastline. Greece appealed to the League for help but Italy, lead by Benito Mussolini, persuaded the League via the Conference of Ambassadors, to fine Greece 50 million lire.

The Social Successes of the League of Nations

International Organizations — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:41:42 +0000

To follow up this success, Mussolini invited the Yugoslavian government to discuss ownership of Fiume. The Treaty of Versailles had given Fiume to Yugoslavia but with the evidence of a bombarded Corfu, the Yugoslavs handed over the port to Italy with little argument

The social successes of the League of Nations

At a social level the League did have success and most of this is easily forgotten with its failure at a political level. Many of the groups that work for the United Nations now, grew out of what was established by the League. Teams were sent to the Third World to dig fresh water wells, the Health Organisation started a campaign to wipe out leprosy. This idea – of wiping out from the world a disease – was taken up by the United Nations with its smallpox campaign.

Work was done in the Third World to improve the status of women there and child slave labour was also targeted. Drug addiction and drug smuggling were also attacked.

These problems are still with us in the C21st – so it would be wrong to criticise the League for failing to eradicate them. If we cannot do this now, the League had a far more difficult task then with more limited resources.

The greatest success the League had involving these social issues, was simply informing the world at large that these problems did exist and that they should be tackled. No organisation had done this before the League. These social problems may have continued but the fact that they were now being actively investigated by the League and were then taken onboard by the United Nations must be viewed as a success.

Background to the International Court of Justice

International Organizations — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:41:42 +0000

The International Court of Justice commonly referred to as the World Court or ICJ is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands. Its main functions are to settle legal disputes submitted to it by states and to provide advisory opinions on legal questions submitted to it by duly authorized international organs, agencies, and the UN General Assembly.

Activities

Established in 1945 by the UN Charter, the Court began work in 1946 as the successor to the Permanent Court of International Justice. The Statute of the International Court of Justice, similar to that of its predecessor, is the main constitutional document constituting and regulating the Court.[2] The Court’s workload covers a wide range of judicial activity. To date, the ICJ has dealt with relatively few cases. However, since the 1980s there has been a clear increase in willingness to use the Court, especially among developing countries. After the court ruled that the U.S.’s covert war against Nicaragua was in violation of international law (Nicaragua v. United States), the United States withdrew from compulsory jurisdiction in 1986. The United States accepts the court’s jurisdiction only on a case-by-case basis.[3] Chapter XIV of the United Nations Charter authorizes the UN Security Council to enforce World Court rulings. However, such enforcement is subject to the veto power of the five permanent members of the Council.