Ю. Э. Знак, И. И. Стамова

ООН

История и современность

Учебное пособие

ebooks@prospekt.org

Информация о книге

УДК 811.111(075.8)

ББК 81.2Англ-923

З-71

Авторы:

Знак Ю. Э., Стамова И. И.

Рецензенты:

Игнатьева И. Г., кандидат филологических наук, доцент кафедры английского языка МГИМО МИД России;

Малюга Е. Н., доктор филологических наук, профессор, академик РАЕН.

Целью данного пособия является развитие навыков коммуникации в области устной речи и делового межкультурного общения на английском языке по темам и проблемам, связанным с деятельностью ООН и других международных организаций. Несмотря на острейшие проблемы и вызовы, с которыми столкнулась ООН, она остается важной организацией, регулирующей в настоящее время межгосударственные связи и дипломатические отношения.

Пособие построено по тематическому принципу, состоит из семи уроков. Оно содержит большое количество приложений, которые охватывают как фактологический (основные факты, официальные документы ООН, государства – члены ООН), так и дидактический аспекты (заметки для панельной дискуссии, переводческие заметки, список рекомендованных для изучения слов) и помогают в работе над материалом.

Учебное пособие включает современный аутентичный и профессионально ориентированный текстовой материал. Оно адресовано студентам МГИМО, студентам других вузов, а также школьникам старших классов, изучающим международные отношения, дипломатию, историю и современность международных организаций. Практическая ценность пособия заключается в возможности с его помощью развить не только коммуникативные компетенции, но и фоновые знания обучающихся, оно будет способствовать подготовке студентов и школьников, участвующих в модели ООН.

УДК 811.111(075.8)

ББК 81.2Англ-923

© Знак Ю. Э., Стамова И. И., 2024

© ООО «Проспект», 2024

ПРЕДИСЛОВИЕ

Настоящее учебное пособие адресовано студентам МГИМО, студентам других вузов, а также школьникам старших классов, изучающим международные отношения, дипломатию, историю и современность международных организаций. Пособие посвящено ООН — важнейшей организации, регулирующей в настоящее время межгосударственные связи и дипломатические отношения. Будущим специалистам в области международных отношений, основной целью которых является отстаивание национальных интересов страны на различных международных площадках, необходимо разбираться в том, какие существуют международные организации, а также в структуре и функциях ООН, знать ее историю, понимать значимость работы в рамках данной организации, возможные пути ее дальнейшего развития.

Целью данного пособия является развитие навыков коммуникации в области устной речи и делового межкультурного общения на английском языке по темам и проблемам, связанным с деятельностью ООН и других международных организаций. Данное пособие предусматривает владение английским языком на уровне B1 по общеевропейской шкале классификации, в результате освоения данного курса обучающиеся могут достичь уровня B2 владения английским языком.

Практическая ценность пособия заключается в возможности с его помощью развить не только коммуникативные компетенции, но и фоновые знания студентов. На начальном этапе данное пособие будет способствовать подготовке студентов и школьников, участвующих в модели ООН.

Пособие построено по тематическому принципу и состоит из семи уроков: (1) Виды и типы международных организаций, основные направления их деятельности; (2) ООН: история создания, структура и функции различных органов Организации; (3) Миротворческая деятельность ООН; (4) Цели устойчивого развития; (5) реформа ООН; (6) Международная модель ООН; (7) Модель ООН МГИМО.

Данное пособие также содержит большое количество приложений, которые охватывают как фактологический (основные факты, официальные документы ООН, государства-члены ООН), так и дидактический аспекты (заметки для панельной дискуссии, переводческие заметки, а также список рекомендованных для изучения слов) и помогают в работе над материалом.

Текстовый материал учебного пособия является аутентичным, современным и профессионально ориентированным. Авторы используют правомерно обнародованные произведения, отрывки из современной англоязычной прессы и свободных электронных ресурсов в качестве иллюстраций (в широком смысле) в объеме, оправданном поставленной учебной целью издания.

Учебное пособие «ООН: история и современность» может быть использовано как в сочетании с учебниками по практике английского языка и перевода, так и в качестве самостоятельного учебного пособия.

Пособие прошло апробацию в ходе подготовки к Модели ООН МГИМО-2023.

МЕТОДИЧЕСКАЯ ЗАПИСКА

Учебное пособие «ООН: история и современность» ставит следующие основные задачи:

— развить умение создавать логичное связное устное высказывание в жанре информационного сообщения, обзора;

— развить умение публичных выступлений в виде сообщения, доклада;

— развить умение участвовать в беседах и дискуссиях по актуальным темам и проблемам, связанным с деятельностью ООН и других международных организаций;

— развить умение организовывать информацию, содержащуюся в тексте с целью ее запоминания.

Курс построен по тематическому принципу и состоит из семи уроков, каждый из которых посвящен основным направлениям деятельности ООН и других международных организаций:

1) виды и типы международных организаций, основные направления их деятельности;

2) ООН: история создания, структура и функции различных органов Организации;

3) миротворческая деятельность ООН;

4) цели устойчивого развития;

5) реформа ООН;

6) международная Модель ООН;

7) модель ООН МГИМО и др.

Кроме того, пособие включает несколько приложений:

Приложение 1 (ООН: основные факты) — Appendix 1 (UN Basic Facts),

Приложение 2 (официальные документы) — Appendix 2 (Official Documents);

Приложение 3 (государства — члены ООН) — Appendix 3 (UN Member — States);

Приложение 4 (рекомендации для панельной дискуссии) — Appendix 4 (Panel Discussions Guidelines);

Приложение 5 (переводческие заметки) — Appendix 5 (Translation Notes);

Приложение 6 (список слов) — Appendix 6 (Word List).

Обучение осуществляется на материале письменных и аудиовизуальных текстов информационного и описательного характера. Каждый урок содержит два письменных текста (исключение представляют первый урок, где представлен один текст, и четвертый урок, в котором три текста), один аудиовизуальный текст (видео) (исключение представляет пятый урок, где обсуждаются два видео), а также иллюстрации и графическую информацию, тем самым обеспечивая поступление информации по различным каналам, с учетом разных когнитивных стилей студентов. Кроме того, в учебнике даются ссылки на электронные ресурсы и тексты, которые обучающиеся могут использовать для самостоятельной работы при подготовке сообщений с целью участия в дискуссии по изучаемым темам.

Каждый урок пособия состоит из следующих разделов:

1. Test your knowledge of the topic;

2. Let’s watch and discuss the video

(Before watching, While watching, After watching);

3. Before reading;

4. Reading;

5. Reading for detail;

6. Language focus

(Translate the following word combinations into Russian; Find the English equivalents in the text; Translate the text into English — Use the words and word combinations in brackets);

7. Increase your knowledge of the topic.

Работа с учебником не предполагает последовательное выполнение всех заданий и упражнений в полном объеме. Преподаватель имеет возможность отобрать необходимый учебный материал в соответствии с индивидуальными потребностями обучающихся. Каждый урок может быть использован как самостоятельный тематический блок в образовательных программах содержательного типа (content-oriented programmes).

Развитие коммуникативных умений в области устной речи и умения работать с информацией обеспечивается рядом коммуникативных заданий.

В каждом уроке предусмотрены следующие разделы: Speaking and discussion, направленный на развитие умения участвовать в обсуждении; Comment on the statements, направленный на создание монологических высказываний в виде устного комментария по цитате известного политика или общественного деятеля и обеспечивающий развитие умения понимать и объяснять имплицитный смысл высказывания. В конце каждого урока размещен раздел Increase your knowledge of the topic, где обучающимся предлагаются темы для дальнейшего самостоятельного изучения и выступления с докладом или сообщением в виде brief presentation. Кроме того, работа с текстом предполагает создание устных высказываний в виде summary, целью которого является суммирование основных идей в прочитанном тексте или просмотренном видео. Два заключительных урока учебника предусматривают проведение широкой дискуссии.

Работа с письменным и аудиовизуальным текстом сопровождается заданиями, направленными на организацию информации с целью ее усвоения и запоминания: ведение структурированных записей в виде таблиц, создание mind map, выделение главных мыслей.

Работа с текстом организована в три этапа: предтекстовый (Pre-reading), текстовый (Reading), послетекстовый (Reading for detail).

Предтекстовый этап, включая раздел Test your knowledge of the topic, содержит задания, направленные на активизацию предшествующих знаний и опыта, имеющих отношение и к теме текста, и к теме раздела в целом, знакомство с важными понятиями, терминами, ключевыми словами. В этой части пособия представлены эпиграфы, иллюстрации, креализованные тексты, диаграммы и др., которые помогают студентам и слушателям выстроить ассоциативный ряд, необходимый для «преднастройки» и лучшего понимания содержания урока. Кроме того, данный этап предполагает ознакомление с рядом слов с целью уточнения их значений и прогнозирования содержания текста, а также содержит вопросы, предваряющие чтение, которые осуществляют функцию управления чтением текста.

Текстовый этап определяется вопросами, осуществляющими на данном этапе функцию управления чтением и мониторинга понимания текста. При этом вопросы направлены на понимание как информации, прямо выраженной в тексте, так и на понимание подтекстовой имплицитной информации, чтение между строк и развитие умения делать обоснованные выводы.

Послетекстовый этап содержит вопросы и задания, имеющие цель оценить и применить содержание прочитанного, как, например, Сomplete the table.

Кроме того, подраздел Increase your knowledge of the topic включает задания, нацеленные на расширение эрудиции, фоновых и профессиональных знаний студентов и обучающихся, необходимых не только для развития переводческих компетенций, но также для обогащения словарного запаса по актуальным проблемам международной повестки.

Работа с аудиовизуальным текстом подраздела Let’s watch and discuss the video также организована в три этапа: Before watching, While watching, After watching, и обеспечена заданиями, направленными на активизацию предшествующих знаний и опыта, прогнозирование содержания, понимание и интерпретацию поступающей информации, развитие умения вести краткие записи во время слушания, использовать визуальную информацию для понимания содержания звучащего текста, применять и критически оценивать содержание услышанного. На этапе After watching представлены задания, которые предполагают заполнение пропусков (в том числе в таблицах), а также в нескольких уроках (№№ 1, 3, 5, 6, 7) даны упражнения на закрепление активной лексики, с которой студенты знакомятся при прослушивании видео.

Подраздел Language Focus направлен на расширение словарного запаса. В учебнике предусмотрена обширная практика в области освоения тематического вокабуляра и коллокаций, а также для развития умений осуществлять зрительно-устный перевод и письменный перевод (в зависимости от учебной задачи) с английского языка на русский и с русского языка на английский. Источником служат прежде всего письменные тексты разделов Reading. Данный подраздел состоит из трех частей: Translate the following word combinations into Russian; Find the English equivalents in the text; Translate the text into English. Use the words and word combinations in brackets. Развитие переводческой компетенции обеспечивается в рамках индуктивного и дедуктивного подходов, при которых осуществляется обобщение частных особенностей перевода и впоследствии применение выработанных закономерностей к новому материалу.

Unit 1. PEACE BY PIECES

Men and nations behave wisely once they have
exhausted all the other alternatives.

Abba Eban, an Israeli diplomat and politician

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Read the quotation at the top of the page. What do you think Abba Eban mean by saying that? Discuss with your partner.

Test your knowledge of the topic

1. Answer the questions.

• What international organizations do you know?

• What do they do? What are their types and purposes?

• Why do we need international organizations? Are they effective in dealing with international challenges?

2. Look at the emblems. What international organizations do they represent?

Reading The Role of Intergovernmental Organizations

You are going to read a text about international governmental organizations (IGOs).

BEFORE READING

1. Discuss with your partner.

• How do international governmental organizations influence the world system?

• Is their number growing nowadays?

2. Check the meaning of the following words in a dictionary.

conceivable ________________________________________________

sovereign _________________________________________________

an outcome ________________________________________________

prominent _________________________________________________

to diffuse __________________________________________________

READING

Read the text and answer the questions that follow.

One way by which the world peace can be achieved is through the promotion of the common interests of humanity, by organized international action. This method is already far advanced, for there are more than a thousand international organizations now in operation which are dealing with almost every conceivable subject of interest to humankind.

An intergovernmental organization or international governmental organization (IGO) is an organization composed primarily of sovereign states, referred to as member states. Intergovernmental organizations differ in function, membership and membership criteria. They have various goals, often outlined in the treaty or charter. Some IGOs developed to fulfill a need for a neutral forum for debate or negotiation to resolve disputes. Others developed to pursue mutual interests with unified aims to preserve peace through conflict resolution and better international relations, to promote international cooperation on matters such as international terrorism, the pandemic outcomes, environmental protection, to promote human rights and social development (education, health care), to render humanitarian aid, etc. Some are more general in scope (the United Nations) while others may have subject-specific missions (such as Interpol). Common types include:

• Worldwide or global organizations — generally open to nations worldwide as long as certain criteria are met. This category includes the United Nations (UN) and its specialized agencies, Interpol, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Customs Organization (WCO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), etc.

• Regional organizations — open to members from a particular region or continent of the world. This category comprises the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), SCO, the European Union (EU), NATO, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Arab League, the African Union (AU), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and many others.

• Cultural, linguistic, ethnic, religious, or historical organizations — open to members based on some cultural, linguistic, ethnic, religious, or historical link. Examples include the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies, the International Federation of Musicians, the European Writers’ Council, the International Association of Multilingualism, the Commonwealth of Nations, etc.

• Economic organizations — based on economic factors (the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, OPEC, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Obviously, the most prominent IGO involved in conflict resolution is the United Nations (UN). The UN became the primary venue for diffusing international conflict in the post-World War II period.

https://guides.library.ucdavis.edu/government-information/
International; author:David Michalski
https://www.academia.edu/36354470/Why_do_we_need_IGOs;
author:Md Badrul Alam
https://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/role_igo;
author: Eric Brahm

READING FOR DETAIL

1. Answer the following questions.

• How to define an intergovernmental organization?

• What functions do IGOs perform?

• What are the common types of IGOs? Give examples.

Language focus

1. Translate the following word combinations into Russian.

The world peace; member states; to be far advanced; to be in operation; a forum for debate; to pursue mutual interests; environmental protection; to promote human rights; to meet criteria; a specialized agency; to diffuse a conflict; the primary venue; the post-World War II period; conflict resolution.

2. Find the English equivalents in the text.

Защита общих интересов; кратко изложить; суверенное государство; государство-член; выполнять различные функции; содействовать международному сотрудничеству; путем урегулирования конфликтов; оказывать гуманитарную помощь.

3. Translate the text into English. Use the words and word combinations in brackets.

МЕЖДУНАРОДНАЯ МЕЖПРАВИТЕЛЬСТВЕННАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ

Международная межправительственная организация — объединение (union/coalition) государств и др. организаций, созданное в соответствии (in accordance with) с международным правом и на основе (based on) международного договора, для осуществления (to maintain) сотрудничества в политической, экономической, культурной, научно-технической, правовой и иных областях, имеющее необходимую для этого систему органов управления, права и обязанности, производные (derivatives of rights) от прав и обязанностей государств, и автономную волю, объём которой определяется волей государств-членов. Как правило, международные организации создаются на основе устава (charter), конвенции, соглашения, протокола и т. д.

Let’s watch and discuss the video

You are going to watch a video about non-governmental organizations.

Source: https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/13/what-is-non-government-organization.asp

BEFORE WATCHING

Give examples of non-governmental organizations. On what levels do they operate?

international (e.g. Greenpeace)

regional

national

WHILE WATCHING

1. Watch the video and make a list of non-governmental organizations that the speaker mentions. Compare it with your list in the Before-you-watch task. Did you mention any of these NGOs?

2. Watch the video again and mark the statements as True or False. Correct the false statements.

Most NGOs closely cooperate with governments.

NGOs may run large budgets each year.

NGOs primarily rely on government contributions.

Advocacy NGOs seek to influence public policies.

Some NGOs may fall under both operational and advocacy categories simultaneously.

AFTER WATCHING

1. Summarize in your own words the most essential features of non-governmental organizations.

2. Fill in the gaps with the words from the video.

Simplified, an NGO or a non-governmental organization is a ¹_________________ organization that operates independently of any government. NGOs are created usually to ²_____________ social or political goals like humanitarianism or environmentalism, and can be organized on a community, national and international level. They are a ¹_________________ by definition, however, many operate on yearly budgets of millions or even billions of dollars. NGO ³______________ may be volunteers or paid. Most payments are funded by private ⁴_________________, membership dues, grants and government contributions.

There are two broad groups of NGOs: operational NGOs, which focus on the design and ⁵__________________ of development projects, and advocacy NGOs, which defend or promote causes and influence public ⁶______________. However, some may do both, e.g. an NGO that ⁷________________ for and implements programmes for improved public health. There are a number of variations on the NGO acronym, for example ENGOs or environmental ⁸_________________ organizations include large organizations like Greenpeace or the World Wildlife Fund.

According to the US State Department, there are millions of NGOs in the US alone. American Heart Association, ⁹______________ International, Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, and the ¹⁰______________ are just a few you may have heard of.

Speaking

1. Explain the difference between an intergovernmental and non-governmental organization. Use the diagram.

2. Make a presentation on an IGO or NGO of your choice. You may find this table useful.

IGO/NGO (full name, abbreviation/acronym)

Emblem |
Type |
Establishment |
Membership |
Fundamental statutory document |
Headquarters |
Official language(s) |
Supreme decision-making body |
Aims/Goals |
Head |

You may follow the example:

SCO (the Shanghai Cooperation Organization)

Emblem | [picture]
Type | intergovernmental international organization
Establishment | 15 June 2001
Membership | 8 member states 4 observer states 6 dialogue partners
Fundamental statutory document | The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Charter
Headquarters | Beijing, China
Official language(s) | Chinese, Russian
Supreme decision-making body | The Heads of State Council
Aims/Goals | strengthening mutual trust among the member states; promoting their effective cooperation in politics, trade, economy, environmental protection, and other areas; maintaining and ensuring peace, security and stability in the region
Head | Secretary General

For my presentation I have chosen the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (abbreviated SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organization, the creation of which was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai (China). The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Charter was signed during the St. Petersburg SCO Heads of State meeting in June 2002, and entered into force on 19 September 2003. This is the fundamental statutory document which outlines the organization’s goals and principles, as well as its structure and core activities.

The SCO comprises 8 member states, namely the Republic of India, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan. The SCO also counts 4 observer states, among which are the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Republic of Belarus, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Mongolia. The SCO has six dialogue partners, namely the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, the Republic of Turkey, and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

The Heads of State Council (HSC) is the supreme decision-making body in the SCO. It meets once a year and adopts decisions and guidelines on all important matters of the organization.

The SCO’s main goals are as follows: strengthening mutual trust among the member states; promoting their effective cooperation in politics, trade, the economy, research, technology and culture, as well as in education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection, and other areas; making joint efforts to maintain and ensure peace, security and stability in the region; and moving towards the establishment of a democratic, fair and rational new international political and economic order.

The current Secretary General of the organization is Vladimir Norov. Russian and Chinese are the official working languages of the SCO.

3. Comment on the quotations expressing your agreement or disagreement and put forward your arguments. Use the following phrases.

— I quite agree / I couldn’t agree more…
— I fully agree / I agree entirely…
— Frankly / To be frank / Naturally…
— Honestly / To be honest…
— I don’t think I agree / I’m afraid I disagree…

♦ “Good order is the foundation of all things.” — Edmund Burke

♦ “The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.” — Vince Lombardi

♦ “In the military, as in any organization, giving the order might be the easiest part. Execution is the real game.” — Russel Honore

♦ “A good system shortens the road to the goal.” — Orison Swett Marden

♦ “I think the players win the championship, and the organization has something to do with it, don’t get me wrong. But don’t try to put the organization above the players.” — Michael Jordan

Increase your knowledge of the topic

1. Find additional information on:

✓ the world’s largest international organization?

✓ the oldest international organization?

✓ international humanitarian organizations

2. Match the English abbreviations of organizations with their Russian equivalents. Give their Russian abbreviations.

CSTO Международный валютный фонд

CIS Ассоциация государств Юго-Восточной Азии

UNO Содружество независимых государств

OPEC Международное агентство по атомной энергии

ASEAN Организация объединенных наций

SCO Всемирная Организация здравоохранения

IMF Шанхайская организация сотрудничества

WTO Организация Договора о коллективной безопасности

IAEA Международный валютный фонд

WHO Организация стран экспортеров нефти

3. Match each international organization with its flag.

✓ OPEC  ✓ NATO

✓ UN   ✓ IAEA

✓ CSTO  ✓ CIS

Unit 2. THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION: BASIC INFORMATION

The UN wasn’t created to take mankind into paradise,
but rather, to save humanity from hell.
Dag Hammarskjöld, the 2d UN Secretary-General

Read the quotation at the top of the page. What do you think Dag Hammarskjöld mean by saying that? Discuss with your partner.

Test your knowledge of the topic

1. Answer the questions.

• When was the UN established?

• How many member states does the organization include?

• What official languages are used at the United Nations?

2. Do you recognize the places where these pictures were made?

https://peacekeeping.un.org/ru/role-of-security-council
https://rus.team/events/otkryto-zdanie-shtab-kvartiry-oon-v-nyu-jorke
https://peacekeeping.un.org/ru/role-of-general-assembly
https://www.liveinternet.ru/users/5031314/post403340112/

Reading 1 The Formation of the United Nations

You are going to read a text about the history of the United Nations Organization, its goals and main bodies.

BEFORE READING

1. Discuss with your partner.

• What historical events preceded the formation of the UN?

• Could you name any other UN prototype world organizations?

• What are the most acute world problems to tackle?

2. Check the meaning of the following words in a dictionary.

a predecessor _______________________________________________

to disband ________________________________________________

a charter __________________________________________________

a refugee __________________________________________________

non-proliferation ____________________________________________

READING

Read the text and answer the questions that follow.

UN: HISTORY, ORGANIZATION, FUNCTIONS

The United Nations (UN) is an international intergovernmental organization set up on October 24, 1945. The United Nations was the second multipurpose international organization established in the 20th century that was worldwide in scope and membership. Its predecessor, the League of Nations, was created by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 and disbanded in 1946. Headquartered in New York City, the UN also has offices in Geneva, Vienna, and other cities. Its official languages are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

The UN was founded by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.

Due to its unique international character, and the powers vested in its founding Charter, the Organization can take action on a wide range of issues, and provide a forum for its 193 Member States to express their views, through the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and other bodies and committees.

The work of the United Nations reaches every corner of the globe. Although best known for peacekeeping, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance, there are many other ways the United Nations and its System (specialized agencies, funds and programmes) affect our lives and make the world a better place. The Organization works on a broad range of fundamental issues, from sustainable development, environment and refugees protection, disaster relief, counter terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, to promoting democracy, human rights, gender equality and the advancement of women, economic and social development and international health and more, in order to achieve its goals and coordinate efforts for a safer world for this and future generations.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/United-Nations;
authors: Cecelia M. Lynch, Karen Mingst, Jacques Fomerand
https://betterworldcampaign.org/about-the-un

READING FOR DETAIL

1. Answer the following questions.

• What is the UN’s predecessor organization?

• How long did it work?

• Where is the UN’s headquarters located?

• What was the initial number of the UN member states?

• What commitments did the member states were ready to take on?

• How are the purposes of the Organization defined?

• What powers, according to its Charter, does the United Nations possess?

• Name the UN’s main bodies.

• How does the United Nations Organization work?

• How broad is the range of its actions?

Language focus

• Translate the following word combinations into Russian.

A multipurpose organization; worldwide in scope; the Treaty of Versailles; to be committed to; to vest powers; to provide a forum (for); the globe; conflict prevention; sustainable development; a disaster; disarmament; gender equality.

• Find the English equivalents in the text.

Учредить/основать организацию; членский состав; арабский язык; принимать меры; Совет Безопасности; учреждение; гуманитарная помощь; специализированное агентство; воздействовать/влиять; основной вопрос; права человека; согласовывать действия.

• Translate the text into English. Use the words and word combinations in brackets.

ИСТОРИЯ ООН

Организация Объединенных Наций является уникальной международной организацией. Она была основана после Второй мировой войны представителями 51 страны, являвшимися сторонниками курса на поддержание мира и безопасности во всем мире (committed to), развитие дружеских отношений между странами и оказание содействия (promoting) социальному прогрессу, улучшение условий жизни (better living standards) и положения дел в области прав человека.

ООН стремится развивать дружественные отношения между странами на основе уважения принципа равноправия и самоопределения народов (the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples). В случае угрозы миру, нарушения мира (a breach of peace) или акта агрессия для восстановления мира (to restore peace) Генеральная Ассамблея ООН может использовать вооруженные силы (armed forces).

Штаб-квартира ООН находится в Нью-Йорке с отделениями (with its branches) в Париже, Риме и Женеве.

https://www.nlb.by/content/news/book-exhibitions-nlb/oon-radi-mira-
i-sozidaniya_17727/#:~:text=%D0%9E%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%
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8A%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D1%85%
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8F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%81%D1%8F%20%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%
D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B9,%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%
D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B8%20%D0%B8%20%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%
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Let’s watch and discuss the video

You are going to watch a video The United Nations: History and Functions

Source: https://youtu.be/1cqw8-ongtY

BEFORE WATCHING

Do you know when the idea of creating the United Nations Organization was born? Who first coined this name?

WHILE WATCHING

1. Watch the first part of the video (0.00-0.56). Compare the facts from the video with the ones you presented in the before-you-watch task.

2. Watch the video (0.00-1.36) and answer the questions below.

What is the UN committed to?

What organization was responsible for maintaining world peace before the UN was established?

Where and when was the UN Charter drafted?

When was the UN officially founded?

3. Watch the video (1.50-2.12), which focuses on the commitments the UN fulfills, and fill in the table below.

1946 | 1950 | 1956 | 1987

4. Watch the video (2.12-2.57) and answer the questions below.

When did the UN first show its interest to the environment?

Which honours has the UN been awarded?

What is the UN criticized for?

AFTER WATCHING

1. Fill in the gaps with the words from the video.

THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED NATIONS

¹ _________________ to the establishment of the United Nations, the League of Nations was responsible for ² _________________ world peace. However, after World War II erupted, the League was deemed ineffectual and the idea for the United Nations was born in 1943.

The United Nations Charter

The title “United Nations” was first used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as a description for the ³ _________________ Forces of the Second World War. In April of 1945, the representatives from 50 countries convened in San Francisco to ⁴ _______________ the United Nations Charter. Called the United Nations Conference on International Organization, this event was where the Charter was signed. On October 24th, 1945 it was ratified and this

⁵ _____________ the day the U. N. was officially born.

Different Divisions

At its inception, 51 countries were represented, and that number has ⁶ ______________ to almost two hundred. The organization is ⁷ _______________ with upholding international laws and human rights, as well as ⁸ _______________ worldwide security, economic development, and social ⁹ ________________. It is separated into a number of administrative ¹⁰ _______________ that deal with specific subjects. A few examples include the General Assembly, Security Council, World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund.

2. Watch the video again and summarize the main ideas using the questions above.

Reading 2 The UN establishment

You are going to read a text about the foundation of the United Nations Organization.

BEFORE READING

1. Discuss with your partner.

Do you know any historical leaders that contributed to the UN establishment?

2. Check the meaning of the following words in a dictionary.

to encounter______________________________________________

to hinder ________________________________________________

to foreshadow ____________________________________________

assurance ________________________________________________

estate ___________________________________________________

provision _________________________________________________

READING

Read the text and take notes on the events that led to the writing of the UN Charter, and the UN’s founding.

THE UN HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

Despite the problems encountered by the League of Nations in arbitrating conflict and ensuring international peace and security prior to World War II, the major Allied powers agreed during the war to establish a new global organization to help manage international affairs. This agreement was first articulated when U. S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill signed the Atlantic Charter in August 1941. The name United Nations was originally used to denote the countries allied against Germany, Italy, and Japan. On January 1, 1942, 26 countries signed the Declaration by United Nations, which set forth the war aims of the Allied powers.

The Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, took the lead in designing the new organization and determining its decision-making structure and functions. Initially, the “Big Three” states and their respective leaders (Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin) were hindered by disagreements on issues that foreshadowed the Cold War. The Soviet Union demanded individual membership and voting rights for its constituent republics, and Britain wanted assurances that its colonies would not be placed under UN control. There also was disagreement over the voting system to be adopted in the Security Council, an issue that became famous as the “veto problem.”

The first major step toward the formation of the United Nations was taken August 21 – October 7, 1944, at the Dumbarton Oaks Conference, a meeting of the diplomatic experts of the Big Three powers plus China (a group often designated the “Big Four”) held at Dumbarton Oaks, an estate in Washington, D. C. Although the four countries agreed on the general purpose, structure, and function of a new world organization, the conference ended amid continuing disagreement over membership and voting. At the Yalta Conference, a meeting of the Big Three in a Crimean resort city in February 1945, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin laid the basis for charter provisions delimiting the authority of the Security Council. Moreover, they reached a tentative accord on the number of Soviet republics to be granted independent memberships in the UN. Finally, the three leaders agreed that the new organization would include a trusteeship system to succeed the League of Nations mandate system.

The Dumbarton Oaks proposals, with modifications from the Yalta Conference, formed the basis of negotiations at the United Nations Conference on International Organization (UNCIO), which convened in San Francisco on April 25, 1945, and produced the final Charter of the United Nations. The UN Charter was unanimously adopted and signed on June 26 and promulgated on October 24, 1945.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/United-Nations;
authors: Cecelia M. Lynch, Karen Mingst, Jacques Fomerand

READING FOR DETAIL

1. Draw a timeline which represents a brief history of the establishment of the UN. The first date is given to you as an example.

August, 1941: U. S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British PM Winston Churchill signed the Atlantic Charter.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Complete the table below with information from the text about establishing the United Nations Organization. Use your notes to summarize the main ideas.

conferences and declarations that paved the way for founding the UN |
reasons for disagreements |
weaknesses of the League of Nations |
states invited to the San Francisco Conference |
the original number of UN member states |

Speaking and discussion

1. What is a motto? What is its purpose?

2. Do you know the UN motto? Work with your partner and explain what the motto implies.

3. Comment on the quotations expressing your agreement or disagreement and put forward your arguments.

♦ “The United Nations is our world’s greatest mechanism for making peace.” — Gillian Sorensen

♦ A world without the United Nations or with a paralyzed United Nations would be far more costly to all of us and far more dangerous to peace and stability.» — Richard Holbrooke

♦ If the United Nations is to survive, those who represent it must bolster it; those who advocate it must submit to it; and those who believe in it must fight for it.” — Norman Cousins

♦ There’s no longer a superpower standoff. But there are real problems that divide countries around the world. And the UN is still the place where we can get together and try and discuss them.” — Shashi Tharoor

♦ “Everything will be all right —you know when? When people, just people, stop thinking of the United Nations as a weird Picasso abstraction and see it as a drawing they made themselves.” — Dag Hammarskjöld

Increase your knowledge of the topic

Explore the UN site https://www.un.org/en to make brief presentations on the following topics:

✓ The UN slogan is “Peace, dignity, and equality on a healthy planet”. Which UN bodies and structures are responsible for the stated mission? Tell your classmates about one/some of them.

✓ The UN emblem and flag.

✓ The UN Headquarters project in New York has a fascinating story of its own. Find some interesting facts on its realization. Share them with your classmates.

✓ What is important to know about the UN Charter? (Specify its contents, its main articles, basic UN purposes and principles contained in them. You may quote some useful collocations.)

Unit 3. THE UN FAMILY

The global work of the United Nations is not without reason
compared to that of a family — striving for a common goal in concert
with all members for a better future. —
Kofi Annan, the 7th Secretary-General

Read the quotation at the top of the page. What do you think Kofi Annan mean by saying that? Discuss with your partner.

Test your knowledge of the topic

1. Answer the questions.

• Who is the head of the United Nations Organization?

• What are the main organs of the Organization?

• Which is the most powerful organ of the UN?

2. Try to associate the pictures with the UN main bodies. Justify your choice. One is given for you.

https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-11dd5f788fafed91514e734ddf42933e.webp
https://img.rasset.ie/001d80f0-1440.jpg
https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/assets/2013/08/17386/image1170x530cropped.jpg
https://blog.ipleaders.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/1020px-Peace_Palace_Vredespalais_-_Houses_the_International_court_of_Justice_-_the_principal_Judiciary_body_of_the_United_Nations_34402091225.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_General_Assembly#/media/File:United_Nations_Economic_and_Social_Council_Membership.svg
https://www.icwea.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/general-assembly.png

Complete the diagram which represents the UN structure.

Reading 1 The Structure of the United Nations

You are going to read a text entitled “We the Peoples: The Promise of the United Nations”.

BEFORE READING

1. Discuss with your partner.

• Do you think it is possible to make the world a better place?

• What measures could be taken to this end?

2. Check the meaning of the following words in a dictionary.

peoples ____________________________________________________

succeeding _________________________________________________

to vow ____________________________________________________

bureaucracy ________________________________________________

subsidiary __________________________________________________

multifaceted _______________________________________________

READING

Read the text and answer the questions that follow.

WE THE PEOPLES: THE PROMISE OF THE UNITED NATIONS

“We the peoples of the United Nations,” begins the United Nations Charter. It goes on to list four principal aims for the global organization. First, the UN was to safeguard peace and security in order “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” Second, it was “to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights.” Third, the UN was to uphold respect for international law. And fourth, the new organization pledged “to promote social progress and better standards of life.” In the summer of 1945, the founders of the United Nations thus vowed to make the world a better place.

The UN family

The United Nations has six main organs. Five of them — the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council and the Secretariat — are based at UN Headquarters in New York. The sixth, the International Court of Justice, is located at the Hague in the Netherlands. With the exception of the Trusteeship Council, which became obsolete with the completion of the decolonization process, these organs still constitute the basic superstructure of the UN. The functions of these organs are vastly different: while the GA is basically the parliament of the UN and the Security Council its executive committee, the Secretariat is the operational body of — or the bureaucracy that runs — the UN.

The UN “family,” though, is much larger, encompassing fifteen specialized agencies and several programs and bodies. Some of the organizations, such as the International Labor Organization (ILO), were founded during the League of Nations era in the 1920s. Many more have been created since 1945 to address the specific problems that the UN has been called to solve.

To top it all off, the UN has a set of “subsidiaries” and partners. Throughout its history, the UN has associated with almost three thousand non-governmental organizations [NGOs]. This was already envisioned in 1945: article 71 of the UN Charter explicitly states that the UN “may make suitable arrangements for consultation with NGOs which are concerned with matters within its competence¹.” In practice this means that every year the UN works together with hundreds of NGOs to undertake humanitarian tasks in the world’s conflict zones.

The main UN organs and their responsibilities

The General Assembly (GA), composed of representatives of all UN member states, is the forum where each of the 193 member states can make its case heard. As the main deliberative organ of the United Nations, the General Assembly is empowered to discuss and make recommendations on any subject falling within the scope of the Charter itself. In many ways, the General Assembly functions like a national parliament. It has a president and twenty-one vice presidents. Each member state, regardless of its size, has one vote.

The Security Council (SC) is the central organ of the entire UN system. It has primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. To that effect, the SC was granted wide powers that would make it an active participant in international affairs. It could investigate any dispute or situation that might lead to international friction and it was authorized to decide on economic sanctions or military action. The SC was therefore mandated to use its powers both as a means of preventing a conflict and as a way of enforcing a state’s compliance with a specific decision or resolution.

The Council is composed of 15 members. The UN Charter names five of them as permanent members of the SC (known as the P-5): China, France, the United Kingdom, Russian Federation, and the United States (those that were chiefly responsible for the defeat of the Axis powers in 1945). The other ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is assigned the task of organizing the UN’s work on economic and social matters and the promotion of human rights. It consists of 54 members elected for three-year terms by the General Assembly.

The Trusteeship Council operated the UN trusteeship system established under the Charter. The Trusteeship Council voted in 1994 to suspend operation, convening only at the request of its President, a majority of its member states, the General Assembly, or the Security Council.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the UN. It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in the Hague (Netherlands). Of the six principal organs of the United Nations, it is the only one not located in New York (USA). It consists of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms by the General Assembly and the Security Council voting independently. The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.

The UN Secretariat serves the other principal organs of the United Nations and administers the programs and policies laid down by them. At its head is the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a renewable five-year term.

The role of the Secretariat is multifaceted, ranging from the day-to-day administration of its various economic and social programs to crisis diplomacy and overseeing the work of UN peacekeeping forces in the trouble spots of the world.

https://books.google.ru/books?id=JMDhBwAAQBAJ&pg;
author: Jussi M. Hanhimäki https://www.jorgerodriguessimao.com/
united-nations/1195-1-united-nations.html;
author: Jorge Rodrigues Simao

READING FOR DETAIL

1. Answer the following questions.

• What does the UN seek to achieve in the area of international relations?

• What entities does the UN “family” comprise and cooperate with?

• Enumerate the main organs of the UN.

• What is the UN Security Council tasked with? What is its prerogative?

• Outline the composition of the Security Council?

• What is the main purpose of the General Assembly?

• Give examples of the activities that the Secretariat is engaged in.

2. Complete the table.

The main UN organs and their functions

the Security Council | ....................................................................
the General Assembly | the main ............................. and plenary organ ............................. resolut