The Charter of the United Nations was signed in 1945 by 51 countries representing all continents, paving the way for the creation of the United Nations on 24 October 1945. The Statute of the International Court of Justice forms part of the Charter. The aim of the Charter is to save humanity from war; to reaffirm human rights and the dignity and worth of the human person; to proclaim the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small; and to promote the prosperity of all humankind. The Charter is the foundation of international peace and security.

Preventing humanitarian atrocities is becoming as important for the United Nations as dealing with inter-state war. In this book, Ramesh Thakur examines the transformation in UN operations, analysing its changing role and structure. He asks why, when and how force may be used and argues that the growing gulf between legality and legitimacy is evidence of an eroded sense of international community. He considers the tension between the US, with its capacity to use force and project power, and the UN, as the centre of the international law enforcement system. He asserts the central importance of the rule of law and of a rules-based order focused on the UN as the foundation of a civilised system of international relations. This book will be of interest to students of the UN and international organisations in politics, law and international relations departments, as well as policymakers in the UN and other NGOs.

This short introduction to the United Nations analyzes the organization as itis today, and how it can be transformed to respond to its critics. Combiningessential information about its history and workings with practical proposalsof how it can be strengthened, Trent and Schnurr examine what needs to bedone, and also how we can actually move toward the required reforms. Thisbook is written for a new generation of change-makers — a generation seekingbetter institutions that reflect the realities of the 21st century and that can actcollectively in the interest of all.

This landmark publication chronicles the central role played by the United Nations in supporting the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. In an extensive introduction by then, United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali provides an overview of the Organization's contribution to South Africa's historic transformation. In addition, the publication includes the text of more than 200 key documents. These are supported by indexes, a detailed chronology & a bibliography of United Nations documentation, making this an essential reference work for anyone interested in the long fight against apartheid or in the work of the United Nations in helping to resolve one of the major issues of the century.

"Everything you always wanted to know about the United Nations in one book! This primer to the United Nations is designed for all global citizens. It covers the history of the UN, what it does and how it does it. As the world's only truly global organization, the United Nations is where countries meet to address universal issues that cannot be resolved by any one of them acting alone. From international peace and security to sustainable development, climate change, human rights, and humanitarian action, the United Nations acts on our behalf around the world." --

The civil war, the consequent famine and the collapse of governmental authority in Somalia led to a United Nations operation in Somalia with no precedent in the history of the Organization. The United Nations and Somalia, 1992-1996 is a comprehensive account of that experience, in which the United Nations Operation in Somalia and the Unified Task Force (led by the United States of America) carried out a broad mandate involving peace-keeping and peace-enforcement as well as the provision of humanitarian aid, the promotion of national reconciliation and assistance in rebuilding Somalia's devastated infrastructure and institutions. This volume includes more than 100 key documents relating to these efforts. An extensive introduction by Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali and a detailed chronology complement the texts. The documents reproduced include: Resolutions of the General Assembly and of the Security Council; Reports, statements and correspondence of the Secretary-General; Political agreements reached by the Somali parties; International appeals, plans of action and other materials related to the efforts of teh United Nations and non-governmental organizations to provide emergency famine relief and humanitarian assistance. (Adapted from publisher's abstract).