The UN and its Agency Organizations

The UN in Brief

The United Nations Organisation (UN) is the only Body that represents ALL the peoples of the World through their participation as organised States.

Though it should be recognised by all that the UN does not always meet people's expectations, one should understand that these are limitations of its member states themselves which, more than often, they have their separate state interests in mind. 

Nevertheless, if one is to realise the importance of the UN, one should imagine the world without the United Nations. All the above does not imply that the UN has not been working for its organisational development since its establishment in 1945.

This site will try to present to the visitors a true picture of the UN's enourmous contribution to the human family to this date as well as the continuing debate for its development. 

The Purposes of the United Nations are:

1. To maintain International Peace and Security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the Peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the Peace, and to bring about by Peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the Peace;
2. To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and  
3. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.

Visit the relevant UN site for a the complete Charter of the United Nations.  

The Fundamental Human Rights

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR)

Preamble

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, therefore,

The General Assembly,

Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article 1

All human beings are borne free and equal in dignity and reights. They are endoowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

All thirty (30) articles are the most precise and bold articulation of the Global Human Ethics to be observed by each and every govrnment and each and every individual. Click here>> to see the rest of the Articles.  

UNIDIR