Articles
The United Nations

The United Nations is an international organization which "aims to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achieving world peace." The United Nations was founded in 1945 after WWII and it replaced the League of Nations. The purpose of the United Nations during its creation was to end wars between nations and give countries a forum for dialogue between each other. The United Nations currently boasts 192 member states, which includes nearly every recognized independent state in the world. The United Nations has its headquarters in New York City and the building is considered international territory.

The United Nations is divided into five administrative bodies; The General Assembly which is the main deliberative body, the Security Council which decides certain resolutions for peace and security, The Economic and Social Council which aids in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development, the Secretariat which provides studies, information and facilities needed by the United Nations, and last but certainly not least is the International Court of Justice which serves as the primary judicial organ.

The United Nations was the successor to the League of Nations which was for the most part considered to be an incompetent organization and was not an effective governing body. In April of 1954, the United Nations Conference of International Organization began in San Francisco. 50 governments and many non governmental organizations such as Rotary International and Lions Clubs International all helped in drafting the Charter of the United Nations. In October of 1945 the United Nations became official after the Charter of the United Nations was ratified by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and by a majority of the 46 other member states.

These countries in the United Nations Security Council were France, the Republic of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The first meeting of the General Assembly took place in Westminster Central Hall in London, the location has since moved to the United Nations building in New York City.

The United Nations has had considerable success in the social arena, fostering human rights, economic development, decolonization, health, education, assisting refugees, and ensuring fair trade. The United Nations is quite remarkable, as they were able to garner such support and confidence from the very beginning. While there have still been wars, threats on international security, genocides, and a slew of other problems one cannot dismiss the effect that the United Nations has had. There may always be problems, however they would be magnified and multiply if it weren't for international bodies such as the United Nations and their ability to facilitate discussion and dialogue among member states.