United Nations
The United Nations was established in 1945 by nations committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security. Nations agree to accept the obligations and purposes of the United Nations Charter, including: maintenance of international peace and security; development of relations among nations; cooperation in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights; and to be the center of harmonizing actions of member nations. The United Nations has six main organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the Secretariat, and the International Court of Justice. Additionally, the United Nations has specialized agencies and programs (e.g., International Monetary Fund, World Bank, U.N. Children’s Fund, World Health Organization) to support its vision.
Task
Nations often seek assistance from the United Nations. Assume that you are a representative from a specific nation or region and your task is to write a proposal to the United Nations for assistance. For the purpose of this particular assignment, you may suspend from chronology and assume the United Nations was always in existence throughout global history. The topics and discussion may span from ninth grade through tenth grade material and content.
Write a proposal that includes:
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a discussion of a specific problem or issue (economic, social, political, etc.) faced by your nation
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a description of the historical background and current conditions (political, economic, social) that affect the problem or issue
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an explanation of how aid from the United Nations would solve the specific problem or issue you identified above
Required Sources
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Charter of the United Nations
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United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
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The United Nations Website (www.un.org)
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Primary Source #1 _____________________
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Primary Source #2 _____________________
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Primary Source #3 _____________________
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Supplementary Source #1 _____________________
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Supplementary Source #2 _____________________
Project Overview and Requirements
First, select your group composition (individual, 2 in a group, or 3 in a group) and the topic that interests you. Please wait until you have received final teacher approval to continue on with the research process. There will be no duplication of topics–first come, first serve basis.
Second, create some guiding ques"ions, brainstorm, do some "preliminary” research, and formulate working proposal strategies and focus for the topic you have selected. Continue your research focusing on your working proposal.
Finally, you will be working in the media center for two class periods on your topic proposal. The remainder of your research project will be independent work outside of class. Your group is responsible for all the requirements for this project. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the teacher.
You will be assessed on the format and process of the project as well as the historical analysis and innovation of your chosen topic proposal.
Process and Miscellaneous Information
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Refer to the "Required Sources" section to satisfy your source accountability. Utilize print sources. Internet sources must be reliable, historically relevant and legitimate. As you know, a primary document may include a diary, speech, an original document, etc.)
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Follow proper research format for citing works both within the analysis and the works cited page. You will be required to use in-text citations throughout your proposal. Should you fail to cite sources in the analysis (but include a works cited page) - OR - do not include the works cited page (but include in-text citations), your grade will automatically be a 150/300.
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Proposal must be typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, and with standard margins.
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Obviously, there will be no plagiarism. In cases of plagiarism, a grade of a zero will be assigned.
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Organize your research process - keep notecards, research findings, source information, etc. in an accessible location.
Part 1
Member States Flags and Dates of Admission
| Nation | Flag |
Admission
Date to U.N. (month/day/year) |
Location |
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| 5. |
Part 2
Correspondence to One Permanent Mission
Write a letter to ONE of your nation’s permanent missions to the U.N., requesting general information about the member state.
Once you have received a response, please submit (a) the letter you mailed and (b) the response and information for credit.
Your address could either be (a) home or (b) school - Shaker High School, 445 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, New York 12110 Attn: Mr. Daniel Weaver, Social Studies Department. Be sure your name is included.
Part 3
Correspondence to One Non-Member Permanent Mission
Write a letter to ONE of the following missions, entities or intergovernmental organizations to the U.N., requesting general information about the work with the U.N.
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Holy See Permanent Observer of Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations 25 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016-0903 Telephone: (212) 370-7885, Telefax: (212) 370-9622
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Palestine Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations 115 East 65th Street, New York, NY 10021 Telephone: (212) 288-8500, Telefax: (212) 517-2377
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African Union Office of the Permanent Observer for the African Union to the United Nations 346 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022 Telephone: (212) 319-5490, Telefax: (212) 319-7135/6509 efax: (212) 758-2718
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European Community Delegation of the European Commission to the United Nations 3 Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, 12th Floor, 305 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017 Telephone: (212) 371-3804, Tel
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League of Arab States Office of the Permanent Observer for the League of Arab States to the United Nations 747 Third Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, NY 10017 Telephone: (212) 838-8700, Telefax: (212) 355-3909
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Organization of the Islamic Conference Office of the Permanent Observer for the Organization of the Islamic Conference to the United Nations 130 East 40th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10016 Telephone: (212) 883-0140, Telefax: (212) 883-0143
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International Committee of the Red Cross Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross to the United Nations 801 Second Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10017-4706 Telephone: (212) 599-6021, Telefax: (212) 599-6009
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Part 4
Member States
1. How many original member states maintained membership in the U.N. in 1945? ______
2. What were the two most recent member states who joined and in what year did they become part of the U.N.?
a. ______________ Year: ________
b. ______________ Year: ________
3. What member state was admitted to the U.N. in 1949?
_________________________________________
4. What member state was admitted to the U.N. in 1994?
_________________________________________
5. What member states were admitted to the U.N. in 1963?
a. _______________
b. _______________
6. Who is the present Secretary –General of the U.N.?
___________________from ____________________
7. Who is the current President of the U.N. General Assembly (59th Session)?
___________________ from ___________________
8. Identify the six principal organs (governing bodies) of the United Nations:
a. ___________
b. ___________
c. ___________
d. ___________
e. ___________
f. ___________
Of the six, which one suspended its operation in 1994?
9. Where is the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial body of the U.N., located?
10. a. Who coined the term “the United Nations”?
b. What former first lady was instrumental in the passage of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
2008 NYSED