The un system

Un Family

UNO

IMF

UNCR

ICAO

UNICEF

The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank group and twelve other independent organizations known as “specialized agencies” are linked to the UN through cooperative agreements. These agencies, among them the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization, are autonomous bodies created by intergovernmental agreement. They have wide-ranging international responsibilities in the economic, social, cultural, educational, health and related fields. Some of them, like the International Labor Organization and the Universal Postal Union, are older than the UN itself.

In addition, a number of UN offices, programs and funds – such as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – work to improve the economic and social conditions of people around the world. These bodies report to the General Assembly or the Economic and Social Council.

All the organizations have their own governing bodies, budgets and secretariats. Together with the United Nations, they are known as the UN family, or the UN system. They provide an increasingly coordinated yet diverse program of action.

(UNO in Brief. Published by the UN department of Public Information. New York 1997)

If you have difficulties with understanding the text group “The United Nations Organisation. Basic Facts”, you can make exercises below.

Task 10(a) 1) Give the term to the following definition.

1. A UN body which works permanently and has only 15 members.

2. The main document which organizes the work of the UN and defines its main purposes and principles.

3. A UN body which mission is to help newly formed countries to organize free elections and promote legal activity of the government.

4. A member state, which has a veto right while voting in the Security Council.

5. A UN body which meets annually at regular sessions.

6. A UN body which doesn’t have its seat in New York.

7. Different sorts of organizations which are included in the UN system.

8. The combination of all of the UN bodies, affiliated organs and international organizations.

Task 10(a) 2) Decipher the abbreviations and explain what these bodies deal with.

UNICEF NGOs UNDP ECOSOC

IMF UNHCR UNESCO PK

Task 10(a) 3) Based on the text, mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F). Correct them, if necessary, in accordance with the text.

1. The United Nations Organization is central to global efforts to solve problems which challenge humanity.

2. The activity of the UN and its agencies is focused on rendering humanitarian assistance to the developing countries.

3. The United Nations organization was established at the end of World War II.

4. The membership to the UN is compulsory to all countries of the world.

5. The basic purposes and principles of the UN are formulated in its Charter.

6. The Recommendations of the General Assembly are of obligatory character to all the UN Member States.

7. The primary responsibility of the Security Council is to maintain international peace and security.

Task 10 (b): Reading (b) for poster making