Model+UN

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**__ The United Nations __** __ History __ The name “United Nations” was first used in January 1, 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations allied to continue fighting against the Axis powers. The forerunner of the United Nations was the League of Nations, an organization conceived in similar circumstances during the First World War, and established in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles "to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security." In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco, to draw up the United Nations charter. The Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by the representatives of the 50 countries. Poland, which was not represented at the Conference, signed it later and became one of the original 51 member states. The United Nations was finally founded in October 24, 1945, when the charter was ratified by China, The United States, Soviet Union, France and the United Kingdom.

__ Structure __

The United Nations is divided into six principal organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat. Each of these divisions has certain matters to be aware of, and, at the same time, each is divided into agencies, boards, and several programs and bodies within those matters. The United Nations family encloses more than 15 agencies and programs and bodies.

The Main Committees report directly to the General Assembly. The Assembly begins consideration of substantive items on its agenda, and assigns them to the Main Committees, according to subject, to discuss them and the various approaches of States, and then present to a plenary meeting of the Assembly draft solutions and decisions for consideration.

The Security Council concerns about security matters and to maintain international peace and security according to the principles and purposes of the United Nations. They investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction, and to recommend solutions to such disputes. They are also in charge, with the Assembly, to elect the Judges of the International Court of Justice.

The Economic and social council serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to Member States and the United Nations system. Among its functions, the ECOSOC is in charge of promoting economic and social progress, higher standards of living, giving solutions to economic, social and health problems, encouraging cultural cooperation and respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms. The International Court of Justice is the only organ of the UN that is not located in New York. 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 Court is composed of 15 judges, who are elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. It is assisted by a Registry, its administrative organ. Its official languages are English and French. The Secretariat carries out the diverse daily work of the organization. It services the other organs and administers the programs and policies. As its head is the Secretary general, who is appointed by the General Assembly, on the recommendation of the Security Council, for a five-year, renewable term.

__ Objectives __ The UN was mainly created to maintain peace among nations. Within this objective and its function, the UN looks forward to international peace and security, to promote equality among nations to develop friendly relations, to achieve international cooperation in solving economic, social, cultural and humanitarian issues, to promote and to defend human rights and liberties, and to act as a common platform for harmonizing the activities of diverse nations.

the UN designed to protect the environment. Treaties of diversity and climate change. To protect the natural resources (global warming and protecting the ozone layer).

Eradication of poverty: social development and debt cancellations. Challenges of globalization, including equality. Clean water supplies

Honduras!!

**Geography** Area: 112,090 sq. km. (43,278 sq. mi.); slightly larger than Virginia. Cities: //Capital//--Tegucigalpa (1,150,000); San Pedro Sula (800,000-900,000). Terrain: Mountainous. Climate: Tropical to subtropical, depending on elevation.

**People** Nationality: //Noun and adjective//--Honduran(s). Population (2010 est.): 8.0 million. Population growth rate (2010 est.): 1.94%. Ethnic groups: 90% mestizo (mixed Amer-Indian and European); others of European, Arab, African, or Asian ancestry; and indigenous Indians. Religions: Roman Catholic; Protestant minority. Language: Spanish. Education (2003): //Years compulsory//--6. //Attendance//--94% overall, 61% at junior high level. //Literacy//--83.3%. Health: //Infant mortality rate//--26/1,000. //Life expectancy//--70.5 yrs. Work force: //Services//--42.2%; //natural resources/agriculture//--35.9%; //manufacturing//--16.3%; //construction/housing//--5.6%.

**Government** Type: Democratic constitutional republic. Independence: September 15, 1821. Constitution: 1982; with amendments. Branches: //Executive//--president, directly elected to 4-year term. //Legislative//--unicameral National Congress, elected for 4-year term. //Judicial//--Supreme Court of Justice (appointed for a 7-year term by Congress and confirmed by the president); several lower courts. Political parties: National Party, Liberal Party, Innovation and National Unity Party, Christian Democratic Party, and the Democratic Unification Party. Suffrage: Universal and compulsory at age 18. Administrative subdivisions: 18 departments.

**Economy** (2009 est.) GDP: $14.8 billion. Growth rate (2009): -2.1%. Per capita GDP: $1,829 (official exchange rate); $3,130 (PPP, IMF). Natural resources: Arable land, forests, minerals, and fisheries. Agriculture (14.2% of GDP): //Products//--coffee, bananas, shrimp and lobster, sugar, fruits, basic grains, and livestock. Manufacturing (27.9% of GDP): //Types//--textiles and apparel, cement, wood products, cigars, and foodstuffs. Services (57.9% of GDP). Trade: //Exports (goods)//--$5.2 billion: apparel, auto parts, coffee, shrimp, bananas, palm oil, gold, zinc/lead concentrates, soap/detergents, melons, lobster, pineapple, lumber, sugar, and tobacco/tobacco products. //Major market//--U.S. (59.5%). //Imports (goods)//--$7.79 billion: fabrics, yarn, machinery, chemicals, petroleum, vehicles, processed foods, metals, agricultural products, plastic articles, and paper articles. //Major source//--U.S. (50.1%).

**PEOPLE** About 90% of the population is mestizo. There also are small minorities of European, African, Asian, Arab, and indigenous Indian descent. A majority of Hondurans are Roman Catholic, but Protestant churches are growing in number. While Spanish is the predominant language, some English is spoken along the northern coast and is prevalent on the Caribbean Bay Islands. Several indigenous Indian languages and Garífuna (a mixture of Afro-indigenous languages) are also spoken. The restored Mayan ruins near the Guatemalan border in Copan reflect the great Mayan culture that flourished there for hundreds of years until the early 9th century. Columbus landed at mainland Honduras (Trujillo) in 1502, and named the area "Honduras" (meaning "depths") for the deep water off the coast. Spaniard Hernan Cortes arrived in 1524. [] []


 * What is the problem? How does it affect your country?
 * What has your country done to combat the problem?
 * What are the various “sides” in the debate?
 * Which aspects of the issue are most important to your country?
 * If your country is not involved with the issue, how can it become involved?
 * How will your country shape the debate at the conference?
 * What arguments will other countries make?
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