LibGuides: Year 10 Politics: Global Governance

The United Nations - from their website

United Nations
About the UN
Start here for an overview of the UN - information on its establishment and purpose, the member states, its main organs and specialised agencies and programs and its leadership.
Principle Document: The Charter of the United Nations
"The Charter of the United Nations was signed on 26 June 1945, in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, and came into force on 24 October 1945. The Statute of the International Court of Justice is an integral part of the Charter."
Principle Document: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
A milestone document in the history of human rights proclaimed in 1948, it provides a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations.
UN - Protection of Human Rights
How the UN promotes and protects human rights, including associated legal documents and the bodies and agencies responsible.
UN - Coronavirus response
How the UN is complimenting the work of the WHO in the pandemic.
UN - Maintaining International Peace and Security
How the Security Council, General Assembly and other roles work to prevent conflict, and make, keep and build peace.
UN - Climate Action
How the UN is addressing climate change through deals such as the Paris Agreement, and calling on governments, businesses and individuals to find and finance solutions and take action.
UN - Countering Terrorism
How the UN leads and coordinates the approach to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism under the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
UN - Human Trafficking
How the UN implements its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons and works to protect and support victims of human trafficking. The elements of human trafficking (and how it is different to migrant smuggling) is also clearly explained.

Assessing the United Nations

The United Nations explained: Its purpose, power and problems - New York Times article
A history of the UN, and assessments of its General Assembly, Security Council and Secretary General organs, raising questions which will influence the UN's success into the future.
The UN Security Council - Council on Foreign Relations article
The structure of the SC and how it manages conflict, criticisms it has faces and the likelihood of reform.
Five challenges the UN's sustaining peace agenda needs to address - Saferworld article
Outlines 5 issues the modern UN faces in peacebuilding and sustaining peace, and offers 5 suggestions.
The UN has a problem and no one's talking about it - TRT World article
A critical assessment of the UN, mainly focusing on the issue of the "Permanent 5" countries.
The UN is failing the world's most vulnerable people. Here's how to fix it - Business Insider article
Criticises the UN for being too slow to respond effectively to global challenges and suggests greater linkages with the private sector to get the work done.

Books from the Library

Australia's International Role: Being an Effective Global Citizen by Joseph Harding
Call Number: eBook
ISBN: 9780864271549
Publication Date: 2015
If prompted, log in via the Microsoft option (using your Loreto email address)
The History and Structure of the United Nations by Heather Docalavich
Call Number: NF 341.23 DOC
ISBN: 9781422200681
Publication Date: 2008
A United World? : The United Nations and International Agreements by David Hamper
Call Number: NF 341.23 HAM
ISBN: 0074715178
Publication Date: 2005

The United Nations: Urgent Solutions for Urgent Times

United Nations 2020. Nations united: urgent solutions for urgent times, online video, September 19. Duration: 34 mins (chapterised)

In the midst of a pandemic radically transforming our world, Nations United tells the story of the world as it is, as it was, and as it could be. It focuses on the solutions and action we need to tackle poverty, inequality, injustice and climate change.

United Nations videos

United Nations on YouTube
The United Nations has a YouTube channel with many PlayLists on global topics and issues, and how the UN is responding to them. There are also videos explaining the structure and system of the UN.

Other organisations involved in global governance

WTO - World Trade Organization
“The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.”
IMF - International Monetary Fund
“The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 190 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.”
EU – European Union
The EU is a unique economic and political union of 27 countries concerned with a range of policy areas other than trade, for example, climate, environment, health, security, justice and migration.
G20
G20 is an international forum bringing together the world’s major economies, of which Australia is a part. The current presidency sits with Italy and the current agenda falls under the pillars of People, Planet, Prosperity.
ASEAN – Association of South East Asian Nations
Association concerned with the economic, social and cultural development of its member countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Commonwealth
The modern Commonwealth is no longer restricted to countries of the British Empire. The “family” of nations work towards shared goals like development, democracy, and peace. There are 54 members, including big and small, and rich and poor countries.