The United Nations
WHAT IS THE UNITED NATIONS?
The United Nations (UN) is an international diplomatic and political organisation with a global mission and – as of 2020 – 193 member states. It was originally created to prevent future wars, but its scope has widened so that, today, it focuses on peacekeeping missions, humanitarian aid and seeking solutions to problems affecting the world, such as hunger and climate change. The main objectives of the UN are to maintain peace and security, protect human rights, encourage international cooperation, respond to humanitarian emergencies, promote sustainable development and uphold international law.
WHY WAS THE UN FORMED?
Formed in 1945, in the last year of World War II, its purpose was to prevent another catastrophic global conflict from happening again, and keep international peace. It was based on an earlier set of agreements and charters by the Allied countries, but only became an official organisation after hostilities had ended.
WHAT EARLIER ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO ENSURE WORLD PEACE?
In 1899, the Hague
