In this module you will learn about the origins of the United Nations and its predecessor the League of Nations, as well as the circumstances under which they were founded.
This knowledge will be valuable to you as you progress through the paper and gain a deeper understanding of the UN system, its key players, the issues the UN champions, and start to decide for yourself whether the UN is doing the job it set out to do.
You will also be introduced to the role of New Zealand, the Pacific and small states on the UN.
Objectives
After completing this module you will be able to:
- critically discuss why the League of Nations was established and why it failed
- describe the origins of the United Nations, its Charter, and why it matters
- discuss New Zealand’s relationship to the UN and the role of small states and the Pacific
- discuss the role of the UN Association of NZ in promoting the UN to the people of New Zealand
Key Questions
Key questions for you to consider while you work through this module:
- What is the League of Nations, why did it fail?
- Given the failure of the League of Nations, is the UN also set up to fail? Why or why not?
- Why is the UN important to small states like New Zealand and can they make a difference?
Little people of the United Nations, children of United Nations Secretariat members, prepare for Charter Day, 26 June, anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco in 1945, by studying the Preamble.
Resources
- Weaknesses in the foundation and structure of the League of Nations by Mr Allsop History. (2:50 mins).
- New Zealand and the United Nations: The League of Nations, by NZ History, accessed 28 February 2017
- Fanfare for all Peoples – 70th anniversary film for UN by United Nations (2015), a film set against the stirring words of the Preamble of the United Nations Charter. (3:10 mins)
- The United Nations: It is your world, United Nations (2008), this six-minute video details the history, scope and impact of work of the United Nations, (6mins)
- Small States at the United Nations: Diverse Perspectives, Shared Opportunities, an article by Andrea O Suilleabhain (2014),
- The UN Association of NZ website.
- Indigenous Peoples at the UN, accessed 28 February 2017