Ban Ki-moon and the UN (PP Presentation)

Ban Ki-moon and the Future of the United Nations

Tara Gaab pd. 5 APEH 5/5/09

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

• From the Republic of Korea

• 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations

• Formerly Republic of Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Goal was to create a peaceful Korea

• Loyal to his native Korea, still trying to achieve piece in his former homeland.

• Speaks both English & French fluently

Role of the Secretary-General

• FDR, when he devised the UN, pictured the S-G as a “world moderator”

• Now, a “spokesman for the interests of the world's peoples, in particular the poor and vulnerable among them” (United Nations)

• Job outlined in the Charter of the United Nations

• Though technically restricted to a “chief administrative officer”, holds true to FDR’s vision & often gives personal input

Role of the Secretary-General (cont’d)

• Recommended by the Security Council, & finally decided on by the General Assembly (Article 97)

• Responsible for bringing up anything they feel will threaten international peace, from economic to humanitarian issues and everything in between

• Must give an annual report

• All members of his staff must answer to only him & not their native governments

Charter of the United Nations

• Preamble

• “To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind”

• “To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person…”

• To create environments where justice can be can be practiced

• To better the life of humankind by promoting progress and bettering society

Charter of the United Nations (cont’d)

• 19 chapters, 111 articles

• Completed in San Francisco on June 26, 1945

• Went into effect October 24, 1945

• United Nations Day!

• Outlines every aspect of the UN, from members and the General Assembly to the International Court of Justice

• Available in Chinese, French, Russian, English, and Spanish

Creation of the United Nations

• Name first given by FDR to 26 countries who vowed to fight against and defeat the Axis powers

• Later signed by 50 countries intending to keep lasting peace

• FDR never saw the creation of the UN, but was the primary creator as he came up with most of the ideas

• Eleanor Roosevelt was appointed to the first American position

• Assisted in creating the Universal Declaration of Rights while holding this position

Future of the UN under Ban Ki-moon

• Website states: “We the peoples… A stronger UN for a better world”

• Indicates reformation

• Ban Ki-moon’s current priorities:

• Peace & Security in Africa and the Middle East

• Non-proliferation and disarmament

• Development

• Climate Change

• Human Rights

Reform Within the UN

• One of Mr. Ban’s personal priorities

• Wants to “simplify and streamline rules, policies, and procedures”

• Form alliances with both private and public institutions

• Reform is needed in order to adapt to constantly changing situations, and new situations altogether

Only countries not members of the UN:

• Kosovo

• Taiwan

• Vatican City/Holy See

UN: “Full Circle”

• Mr. Ban feels that the UN has “come full circle” since it’s creation in 1945, and it is needed now more than ever

• Currently 192 Member States

“I do not believe in miracles, but I do have faith in human decency, diligence and incremental progress.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVnL6NHn4uw&feature=featured

Works Cited

• “Biography of Secreatary-General Ban Ki-moon.” United Nations. 5 May 2009 .

• "Charter of the United Nations." United Nations. 5 May 2009 .

• "Google Image Result for http://upload.wikimedia.org//wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/
United_Nations_Members.svg/1000px-United_Nations_Members.svg.png." Google Images. Google/
Wikipedia. 5 May 2009 wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/United_Nations_Members.svg/
1000px-United_Nations_Members.svg.png&imgrefurl=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
User:Chanheigeorge&usg=__m6FFDfAeLxDYtzpJ1k4wpPKeUlY=&h=441&w=1000&sz=122&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=EB
_T3gcBPR_43M:&tbnh=66&tbnw=149&prev=/
images%3Fq%3Dcurrent%2Bmap%2Bof%2Bmember%2Bstates%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bunited%2Bnations%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26
um%3D1>.

• "Non-Members of the United Nations." About.com:Geography. New York Times. 5 May 2009
.

• "Secretary-General of the United Nations." Wikipedia. 27 Apr. 2009. 5 May 2009
.

• The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers."United Nations." Teaching Eleanor Roosevelt, ed. by Allida Black, June Hopkins, et. al. (Hyde Park, New York: Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, 2003). 5 May 2009 .

• "The United Nations at a Glance." United Nations. 5 May 2009 index.shtml>.

• "UN Taking Swift Action against influenza (H1N1)." YouTube. 27 Apr. 2009 watch?v=NVnL6NHn4uw&feature=featured>.