Topic 12: The United Nations and establishment of a global perspective

The United Nations (UN), established in 1945, has evolved into an organisation created to promote peace and humanitarianism. Students investigate how the UN has had both successes and difficulties, which include responding to a diverse range of crises and adapting to a constantly changing world. Students consider ways in which the debate continues about the effectiveness of the UN to respond to events that vary in scale and complexity.

Students investigate differing perspectives on, interpretations of, and responses to the challenges from the organisation, through one case study or a comparison of two or more case studies.

The following are focus areas for study in this topic:

• the development of the United Nations
• advocacy for human rights
• conflict resolution and peacekeeping
• a global voice.

The development of the United Nations

• The establishment of the United Nations. Examples include lessons learnt from the failure of the League of Nations; the role of individuals and nations in establishing the vision and structures of the UN; structures and organisations of the UN such as UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), and the World Health Organization; mandate, resources and funding; membership eligibility, formal processes, and veto; changes to the UN in response to emerging nations; the status of non-sovereign groups; and humanitarian missions.

Advocacy for human rights

• The role played by the United Nations in support of human rights. Examples include international protocols, conventions, declarations, and standards; the limits of UN authority and influence when dealing with human rights; and the role played by the UN in response to issues such as gender equity, education, apartheid, HIV/AIDS, health, child soldiers, the impact of the international arms trade, and genocide.

Conflict resolution and peacekeeping

• The role and structures of the United Nations in armed conflicts. Examples include the aims and structure of the Security Council; the legal basis for armed intervention and peacekeeping; and the role played by the UN in peacekeeping contexts.

A global voice

• The effectiveness of the United Nations.
• Empowerment approaches to development.
• Raising global issues. Examples include celebrity voices; social media.
• Ongoing challenges with issues of global importance. Examples include the transformation of security; the environment, disease, piracy, and refugees; disaster relief; the limitations of the influence of the UN; and arguments for and against an increased role for the UN.