Read the text and assimilate its information

In 1939, conflict broke out in Europe. This was the final nail in the Coffin for the League of Nations, which had been set up at the end of the First World War. Nationalism, isolationism, aggression and territorial competitiveness all led to the collapse of the League; it had proved itself ineffective against the whilms of the expansionist foreign policy of certain nations. Yet the outbreak of conflict led some nations to call for a new international security system that would guarantee peace.

On 12 June 1941, the inter-allied Declaration was signed in London. Later in 1941, Winston Churchill, prime minister of Great Britain, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, president of USA, met on board a ship, HMS Prince of Wales, in the mid-Atlantic and devised a Charter which called for the establishment of new body to maintain peace. On 1 January 1942, the wartime Allies declared themselves the United Nations. This declaration was signed by 26 nations which joined forces in a “ common struggle against savage and brutal forces”.

In the summer of 1944, representatives of the USA, Great Britain and USSR met at the Dumbarton Oaks Conference in Washington DC to draft plans for the structure and responsibilities of a United Nations Organization (UNO). China’s representatives attended the second stage of discussions. The representatives outlined the role of the Security Council as an arbiter of peace for all nations. Nevertheless, The USSR expressed concern about its isolation within the Security Council.

At the Yalta Conference in February 1945, the Americans proposed the use of veto so any permanent member of the Security Council could reject a motion. Yet it was not until the San Francisco Conference in April of that year that representatives from “smaller” nations were invited to attend the discussions. By 26 June 1945, a charter of 111 points had been drawn up and was signed by the 50 nations in attendance – the decision having been made to have as wide a membership as possible. On 24 October, the UNO was opened.

The role of the UNO includes:

· maintaining peace and security, using collective measures to remove threats to peace, to suppress aggression and to settle disputes – any action taken should be assisted by all members;

· enabling self-determination and respect between nations;

· achieving international cooperation and solving humanitarian crises;

· promoting human rights.

The role of the UNO excludes:

*interfering in the working of a country;

*forcing a country to take action.

There are six main organs of the UN

1. General Assembly.

The General Assembly meets annually and all nations that are members have one vote. Special sessions can be called in a crisis by any member or the Security Council. It is a debating chamber, discussing crises and budgets. It is also a supervisory body for all other UN organs. Decisions are made on two-thirds majority.