United Nations Day
United Nations Day is celebrated on October 24th each year to commemorate the entry into force of the UN Charter on October 24, 1945. The UN Charter is the founding agreement of the United Nations (ww.bpd.de “Ziele und Grundsätze der der Vereinten Nationen; press.un.org; nationaldays.com “United Nations Day”).
Objectives and Functions
The primary goal of the United Nations is to promote and maintain peace worldwide. It achieves this through various organs and agencies, such as the General Assembly, Security Council, International Court of Justice, and Secretariat.
The General Assembly, consisting of representatives from all 193 member states, discusses and makes recommendations on issues related to international peace and security, elects non-permanent members of the Security Council, admits new members, and addresses budgetary matters.
The Security Council, composed of 15 member states (5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members), is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It can issue resolutions to condemn actions and decide on measures to be taken in conflicts. However, the veto power held by the five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) has been a subject of criticism, as it can block resolutions even if they have the support of the majority.
The International Court of Justice ensures that the decisions made by the Security Council are legally sound and conform to international law (youtube.com “Vereinte Nationen (UNO) einfach erklärt”)
Criticisms of the UN
The UN has faced criticism regarding its decision-making processes and representation. The veto power held by the five permanent members of the Security Council has been a point of contention, as it can hinder the adoption of resolutions supported by the majority of member states.
Some argue that the UN's structure does not adequately represent the diverse opinions and interests of all member states, particularly those from Africa and South America. The concentration of power in a few countries raises questions about the democratic nature of decision-making within the organization.
Additionally, the UN's ability to find effective solutions to global problems is often challenged due to the diverse opinions and interests of its member states. The process of reaching a consensus can be time-consuming and hinder swift action in critical situations (tagesschau.de “UN-sicherheitsrat Russland”; taz.de, “Kritik am UN Sicherheitsrat”)
Importance of the UN
Despite its criticisms, the United Nations remains essential in addressing global challenges that require collective action. Issues like world wars and climate change cannot be solved by individual countries alone. The UN provides a platform for countries to work together, find compromises, and prevent conflicts. It promotes the idea of treating all countries equally and respecting their values, cultures, and historical backgrounds.
The UN also plays a crucial role in peacekeeping missions and providing humanitarian aid in conflict-affected regions. For example, the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was established in 2003 to bring stability to a country torn by civil wars and violence against women. Through peace missions and humanitarian efforts, the UN contributes to creating stable political situations and providing assistance to those in need, according to article on the website kabeleinsdoku.de “die Vereinten Nationen das sind die wichtigsten UN Einsaetze”
This is why we celebrate the United Nations Day because of the hope to create peace with respect and without violence.
This need of people has not changed over the years, even though the means of implementation have change and should constantly change in order to be able to keep up with the developments of the times. That is why a reformation of the security system is an appropriate demand, as many people say.