At a Glance

1. In the wake of the Second World War, leaders like President Franklin Roosevelt of America and Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain came up with the idea of forming an international organization that would work for the cause or world peace. The Charter of the United Nations was prepared and ratified at a conference of fifty-one nations held in San Francisco, USA in April 1945.

2. The Charter, which contained the functions and principles of the UN came into effect on October 24, 1945. This day is celebrated as the United Nations Day. It has its headquarters at New York and at present one hundred eighty-five countries are its members.

3. The United Nations has six organs-General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice and Secretariat.

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4. One of the main aims of the UN is to achieve better living conditions for people all over the world by promoting economic and social progress. World peace and international understanding is also an important aim of the UN.

5. UN has been effective in preventing disputes from growing into full-fledged wars by means of goodwill missions and peace-keeping operations. It received the Nobel Peace Prize for its achievement in maintaining world peace.

6. India has always provided active support to the programmes of the UN. At the same time the specialized agencies of the UN have played an important role in the development of our country.