Understanding the United Nations: what is the UN’s purpose, and what has it achieved?
- It has five main goals: keeping the world safe, protecting people’s rights, helping those in need, protecting the environment, and making sure countries follow the UN’s rules
What event led to the formation of the UN?
What is the difference between permanent and non-permanent members?
What event led to the formation of the UN?
Many countries were damaged when World War II ended in 1945, and they wanted peace. From April to June of that year, 50 countries met at the United Nations Conference to form a group that would prevent future wars.
There are 193 countries in the United Nations. Some are permanent members, such as China, the United States and France. They have a special power to say “no” to any decision the UN makes.
Other countries are non-permanent members, such as Brazil and Japan. They help make decisions by discussing world problems and voting on solutions together.
What does the UN do?
The member countries work together on five main goals: keeping the world safe, protecting people’s rights, helping those in need, protecting the environment, and making sure countries follow the UN’s rules.
The UN has many achievements and even won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988 for keeping world peace (see graphic). During the Covid-19 pandemic, the UN helped poor countries by giving money to help sick people get test kits and medical supplies.
What is the difference between permanent and non-permanent members?