In our uneasy world, it is difficult to recognize the worth of the United Nations (UN) as many people are still unaware of the duties and merits of this universal organization. Founded after World War II, the UN regroups 191 sovereign states. Its various aims were: “To uphold international peace and security, to develop pleasant relations among nations, to encourage social progress, better living standards and human rights.”

The UN Charter binds together all the Member States. Each State has to abide to the rules and regulations of this international treaty. The ‘UN system’ encompasses all the specialized agencies, programmes and funds developed by the UN. These agencies focus on various international issues such as: Food and Agricultural Organization; UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; World Health Organization; International Monetary Fund; World Meteorological Organisation.

How far is the UN necessary and is it really effective? It is made up of six main organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat. The Organisation Charter of the UN and the International Court of Justice are the most prominent bodies to which all member states have to abide.

Our world is weighed down by conflict, wars and endless negotiations. The UN imparts means for instant conferences among governments and the forum for dealing with continuing problems. The Secretary-General acts as a neutral third party in crises. Our global problems, ranging from poverty to AIDS, drug trafficking, international crime and others, can also be confronted only through international cooperation. The UN thus provides the best apparatus to rally and prolong such cooperation.

It has been offering assistance to developing countries through grants and loans. Providing protection to refugees, food aid and relief to victims of natural calamities is well known. The World Food Programme provides over half of world’s food aid each year.

The “Millennium Declaration”, in September 2000, applies the rationale of the UN Charter to a new world. Member States have approved sustainable objectives to defeat poverty, conflict resolution, meet the needs of Africa, uphold democracy and the rule of law. The aim is to meet these goals within a time limit.

Furthermore, the vital role of the UN in support of peace and security, development and human rights was recognized on 10 December 2001, when the UN and its Secretary-General were granted the centennial Nobel Peace Prize.

Whether through grants for development, assistance to democratic governance, global immunization campaigns against deadly diseases, the reinforcement of international laws and literacy programmes, the UN has always provided humanitarian help. One cannot but remember the opening lines of the UN Charter that clearly state, “We, the peoples of the United Nations”.

<B>Pamela Arasen-Lilette