/>
The International Work of the United Nations | 21 April, 2007
A new addition to the team, George Lizo makes his break with an interesting article regarding the work of the United Nations to it''s original intent. This is his first article. We are living in a world of fakeness, selfishness and materialism where everybody is interested about themselves, their own life, success, money, and we usually abandon the simple things in life. Simple things that can make us, as well as people around the world hopeful about the future. Simple things that can boost people’s hope that life is not that bad and there is always a chance for improvement.
At times, many organizations have tried to make improvements in our world, volunteers trying to offer help to the people of the world, suffering from illnesses, lack of medicine, food, as well as offering an asylum to political and religious refugees. However, the most important as well as successful organization in helping people worldwide, is the United Nations. The scope of the United Nations has widen during the last years, and there are now special agencies, funded by the United Nations, offering help to the Less economically developed countries (LEDCs) around the globe as well as people in need.
To begin with, the Human Rights Commission is one of the most vital agencies of the UN that ensures that all governments treat their people in a civilized way. The “Declaration of rights” that was adopted by the UN in 1948 stated that: Every person no matter what country he or she lives in, should have certain basic rights. Some of the most essential rights are: 1) A high standard of living, 2) To be free from slavery, racial discrimination, arrest and imprisonment without trial and torture, 3) have opinions and express them freely, and finally 4) Be able to marry, have a family, own property and vote in Elections. However, the problem faced by the United Nations is that, many States usually LEDC do not comply with the terms of the Declaration which makes the work of the UN even more difficult.
Another important agency of the United Nations is the World Health organization (WHO) whose work has been really essential during the 1980s at the campaign of eliminating smallpox as well as the elimination of malaria in the 1970s. WHO’s work has proven important in helping the improving of medicine in the Developing world. The organization provides money to train doctors, nurses, and other health workers, keeps governments informed about new drugs, and provides free contaceptic pills to women in Third World countries.
What is more, the World Health Organization works closely with FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization).The FAO is responsible for providing malnourished and underfed people with basic food, but also helping them develop their agriculture as well as helping them stop depending on MEDCs (Most Economically Developed Countries) for food or financial aid. FAO’s statistics revealed that 35 million people died from hunger in 1984, 24 African states were heavily dependent on the UN for emergency food supplies because of draught. Critics of FAO claim that it spends too much of its resources on food instead of helping to set better agricultural systems in poor countries.
Finally, it is strongly believed by many people that the role of UNISEF in the world, has been really significant, that’s why it was decided to make UNICEF a permanent agency, so the word “Emergency” was dropped from its name. The function of the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is to help improve the health and living standards of children all over the world especially in poorer countries. It works closely with the WHO, setting up training health centers and running health education and sanitation schemes.
All in alldespite the Peace keeping aim of the United Nations, it’s scope is much more wider that the League of Nations, and due to its power, as it is signed by almost all the countries in the world, it tries to eliminate Global issues like racism, discrimination, slavery and malnutrition. Organizations like the UN, fill our hearts with hope and ensure that there are people that care and do their best in providing help, through the most important merit, Love!