Essay on “Role of the UNO in World Affairs” for School, College Students Essay, Speech for Class 10, Class 12, College and Competitive Exams.

Role of the UNO in World Affairs

History is fully filled with battles and wars since the dawn of civilization. But, when the First World War brokeout in 1914 between the then Central powers (Austria-Hungary, Germany and Turkey) and the Allies (Britain, France and Russia), it resulted in a loss of about ten million lives of combatants and wounding of twenty million human beings. Keeping that situation in mind, the world realized the need to establish machinery which could avoid international conflicts in future and maintain world peace. This resulted in the establishment of the League of Nations in 1920. However, this world body lasted only for less than two decades. The Second World War broke out again in 1939 causing immense human misery. It lasted six years; on the conclusion of which United Nations Organization was established on 24 October, 1945. It has now survived for six decades and is likely to go on forever.

The United Nations is an association of States which have pledged themselves to maintain internal peace and security. They cooperate upto the possible extent in solving international, political, economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems towards peace and prosperity.

The specific purpose of the UN, as outlined in the charter, is to (i) Maintain international peace and security (ii) Develop friendly relations among nations, based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self- determination of people (iii) Co-operate in finding the solution for international, political, social, economic, cultural and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedom for all and (iv) Serve as a centre for coordinating the actions of nations to attain these common goals.

To maintain peace and security in the world, the UN adopts various measures such as (i) Appointing a body of persons to help in bringing about an agreement between the opposing nations in their dispute; (ii) Sending investigating missions to troubled areas to gain first hand information; (iii) Securing agreements to reduce armaments, and (iv) Preventing genocide by appealing to member countries to observe principles enunciated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The General Assembly is the main deliberative body of United Nations and consists of all the members of UN. The assembly meets regularly once a year and also holds emergency sessions whenever necessary. The General Assembly receives and makes recommendations on reports from the Economic, Social and Trusteeship Councils. In this capacity, the Assembly can begin studies on, and offer plans for international cooperation in politics, law, economics, social welfare, education, health and human rights. The General Assembly deals with all the matters of all the nations except those which are related to security aspects.

The Security Council has the basic responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. It is also responsible for carrying out the functions of the UN and giving adequate stress on strategic areas. When a complaint is brought before the Security Council, the council usually recommends negotiation or mediation as a mean of settling the dispute. If this fails and fighting breaks out, the Security Council has the power to take collective action in recommending diplomatic solution and even economic sanctions if warranted. Armed Forces, supplied by member nations, may also be called to repel the aggressor or act as a buffer until the issue is settled.

The Economic and Social Council works on economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems. The additional function of the Council is to deal with the matters like statistics, population, employment, status of women, transportation, communication, particularly during wide ranging calamities, and control of narcotic drug traffic. The Council also coordinates the activities of inter-governmental specialized agencies.

International Court of Justice, established by the UN Charter, settles the international legal problems. Cases are referred to the Court by the member nations involved in a dispute, in which the court decision is binding upon them.

Besides doing much valuable political work, the UNO works to remove the poverty and the diseases. This work is done through its various specialized agencies. IMF has been giving monetary help to the under developed countries. ILO has done much to improve the condition of labourers all over the world. Similarly, UNESCO is trying to spread education.

The UNO has tremendous role to play to maintain peace, uplift social status, provide economic assistance, spread education, provide justice to aggrieved nations, upkeep health and human rights and so on. The UNO remains the only hope for sorting out international problems. It is the only body which can bring about world peace. The UNO had played a remarkable role in bringing about cease fire between Iraq and Iran. Similarly, it played a crucial role during the Gulf war. Faith of the people in it has increased. It is now considered to be the only hope of mankind. Let the whole world cooperate and strengthen the function of the UNO for the betterment of all member nations.

It is the responsibility of the whole world to ensure that the UNO is not influenced or dictated showing bossism by a single country. If such activities are allowed, the aggrieved nations cannot hope for natural justice through decision of unanimity. Let all the member nations co-operate and honour the decisions of this organization for enabling it to make consensus for taking sustainable decisions on all the world affairs.

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