International Organizations

International Organizations

United Nations

• An international organization
• Founded in 1945 (after WWII)
• Originally 51 countries – now about 193
• Original mandate – peace and security, friendly relations amongst nations
• Better living standards and human rights
• Headquarters in New York

4 main purposes of the UN

• Peace throughout the world
• Development friendly relations among nations
• Help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, conquer hunger, disease, illiteracy and encourage respect for each others rights and freedoms
• To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals

Committees of the UN

• Disarmament and international security
• Economic and Financial
• Social Humanitarianism and Culture
• Special political and de-colonization
• Administrative and Budgetary
• Legal

Critique of the UN

• Some say that it was a good idea in it’s time but has now lost credibility and should be abolished

Security Council of the UN

• 5 permanent members: China, France, Russia, UK and US
• 10 non-permanent members with 2 year term: currently Bosnia, Herzegovina, Brazil, Columbia, Gabon, Germany, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, Portugal and South Africa
• Each council member has one vote – must have 9 to proceed, including the votes of all 5 permanent members
• President is appointed in alphabetical order for a term of one month (from amongst members)

• Meetings can be requested by any member of the Security Council and meetings must be held at least every 14 days

• Function is to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the UN
• Investigate any dispute or situation that might lead to international friction
• To recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement
• To formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments

• To determine the existence of a threat to the peace or the act of aggression and recommend the action to be taken
• To call on members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression
• To take military action against an aggressor
• To recommend the admission of new members
• To exercise the trusteeship function of the UN in strategic areas

• To recommend the Secretary General appointment and to elect the judges of the International Court of Justice

World Bank

• Founded in 1944
• Made of 2 unique development institutions (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Int. Dev. Assoc.)
• owned by 187 member countries
• Provide to the countries with the most need and where it will have greatest impact and promote growth (particularly in the Arab world)
• Also help middle income countries
• Provided 46.9B for 303 projects in developing countries

Managment

• Under the leadership of president, management and senior staff and the vice presidents in charge of regions, sectors, networks and functions

Mission Statement of WB

• To help developing countries and their people reach their goals by working with our partners to alleviate poverty.
• Address global challenges in ways that advance an inclusive and sustainable globalization
• Overcome poverty, enhance growth with care for the environment and create individual opportunity and hope

Critique of WB

• With less aid, the economies of the developing countries were growing – when the WB provides aid it stunts growth
• WB has lent billions to dictators
• Infrastructure projects often have negative social and environmental impacts for local communities
• Partnership with private sector may undermine the role of the state as the primary provider of goods and services
• Run by a small group of dominant countries

International Monetary Fund

• An intergovernmental organization that promotes economic cooperation around the world
• Has 187 member countries
• Specialized agency of UN with it’s own charter
• Main focus is policies that have an impact on exchange rates and balance of payments
• Aim is High rates of employment and low inflation
• Address global challenges in ways that advance an inclusive and sustainable globalization

• Focus on macro economic and financial policies
• Balance payments and establish a “real” economy in developing countries (capitalism)
• Financial sector development
• Analyze impact of policies and provide forum for international cooperation on global economic and financial problems

Governance of IMF

• Run by a board on behalf of member countries