An organization called League of Nations was founded in 1919 with similar reason for the creation of United Nations but ceased its activities after failing to prevent the Second World War.
While, United Nations was founded in 1 January 1942 during Second World War when 26 nations came together to fight against other Axis. This name United nation was coined by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
By 1945 United Nations consisted of 51 nations who are committed to maintain international peace and security and also enhance friendly relationship among nations for economic and social progress. The United Charter was signed at the conference held in San Francisco 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 now has of 193 member states with power vested on its founding Charter to express and take action on wide range of issues especially on peace, security and paucity.
The United Nations have several ways of affecting lives and trying to make the world a better place through several initiatives like specialized agencies, funds and programmes. Providing aids and humanitarian assistance when needed, preventing conflicts, keeping and building peace among nations.
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, governance, economic and social development and international health, clearing landmines, expanding food production, and more, in order to achieve its goals and coordinate efforts for a safer world for this and future generations.
These activities are being executed through the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and other bodies and committees.
The Four Cardinal purposes of United Nations are;
- To keep peace throughout the world;
- To develop friendly relations among nations;
- To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms;
- To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals
OLUWASEUN AFOLABI
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