Basic Facts about the United Nations

by United Nations

This new, updated edition of Basic Facts about the United Nations reflects the multitude of ways in which the United Nations touches the lives of people everywhere. It chronicles the work of the Organization in such areas as peace, development, human rights, humanitarian assistance, disarmament and international law. In describing the work of the United Nations family of organizations, this book provides a comprehensive account of the many challenges before the international community, as well as the joint ongoing efforts to find solutions.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, International Relations, History, Reference

359 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

From http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/index.sh...

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.

Due to its unique international character, and the powers vested in its founding Charter, the Organization can take action on a wide range of issues, and provide a forum for its 193 Member States to express their views, through the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and other bodies and committees.

The work of the United Nations reaches every corner of the globe. Although best known for peacekeeping, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance, there are many other ways the United Nations and its System (specialized agencies, funds and programmes) affect our lives and make the world a better place. The Organization works on a broad range of fundamental issues, from sustainable development, environment and refugees protection, disaster relief, counter terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, to promoting democracy, human rights, gender equality and the advancement of women, governance, economic and social development and international health, clearing landmines, expanding food production, and more, in order to achieve its goals and coordinate efforts for a safer world for this and future generations.

The UN has 4 main purposes:

* To keep peace throughout the world;
* To develop friendly relations among nations;
* To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms;
* To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals.

Reviews

[Anastasia Arabkina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good issue to read if you are studding for an international affairs/politics/history exam. Has a short and good descriptions of the basic principles and rules of the UN which is important when you do no not have so much time to sacrifice it for reading process. I used this manual as a basis of a course projects when I was a 4year student and it really helped me even more than an official United Nations web site.

[Nara · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Basic facts of the UN” gives quite a broad picture of the activities of the UN in the world. It is very hard to read or remember something from this book. I was literally struggling while reading it page by page…It feels like a page never ends. It is not for reading purpose, but more for finding something that you are interested.

[Vanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book provides a basic introduction to the works of UN in dealing with comtemporay issues. The book outlines the functions and responsiblity of each council and committees of the UN. It is a good reference for those who want to work with the UN!

[John Borthwick · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is some interesting stuff here but this is much more of a reference book than anything else. But good overview and hands-on book to have when you want to look up some basic definitions, departments, and facts.

[Mykyta Kuzmenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Хорошее справочное пособие о самой большой организации в мире.