UN Peacekeeping Flashcards
(12 cards)
What lead to the formation of the United Nations?
Westphalian System (Post Thirty Years War):
Emphasized sovereignty of national states.
Built on state sovereignty, non-intervention, and secularization of world politics.
League of Nations:
Established after World War I, aimed to introduce an international component to global governance.
Ultimately failed due to lack of enforcement mechanisms and U.S. non-membership.
Formation of the United Nations (1945):
Direct response to World War II’s devastation and the need to prevent future conflicts.
Security Council established with five permanent members (P5) having veto power (USA, USSR, UK, France, China).
General Assembly represented all member nations, providing a forum for global diplomacy.
What are the six organs of UN
Secretariat
General Assembly
Security Council
Economic and social Council
International court of justice
Trusteeship council
What programme of the UN focuses on poverty eradication, improving livelihoods, and promoting sustainable development globally
The UNDP focuses on poverty eradication, improving livelihoods, and promoting sustainable development globally. They work with governments to implement policies and initiatives that enhance economic growth, reduce inequality, and empower marginalized communities.
Examples: UNDP’s projects include providing technical assistance for poverty reduction strategies, supporting sustainable agriculture practices, and promoting access to education and healthcare in underserved regions.
What UN organization combats hunger and improves food security.
(FAO) FAO leads international efforts to combat hunger and improve food security. They support agricultural development, sustainable food production, and resilience-building in rural communities.
Examples: FAO initiatives include promoting climate-smart agriculture, providing technical expertise for sustainable farming practices, and facilitating emergency food assistance during humanitarian crises.
WFP is the UN agency dedicated to addressing hunger and malnutrition globally. They provide food assistance in emergencies, support nutrition programs, and promote food security initiatives.
Examples: WFP activities include distributing food aid to vulnerable populations affected by conflicts or natural disasters, implementing school feeding programs to improve children’s nutrition, and supporting smallholder farmers to enhance food production.
What UN organization focuses on on environmental sustainability and addressing climate change impacts
UNEP focuses on environmental sustainability and addressing climate change impacts. They promote conservation of natural resources, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable use of ecosystems.
Examples: UNEP initiatives involve supporting countries in adopting renewable energy sources, implementing policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and fostering international agreements such as the Paris Agreement on climate change.
What UN organization works to protect children’s rights, ensure their survival, and promote their development.
UNICEF works to protect children’s rights, ensure their survival, and promote their development. They focus on improving access to healthcare, education, clean water, and sanitation.
Examples: UNICEF initiatives include immunisation campaigns to prevent childhood diseases, providing access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in communities, and advocating for child protection laws and policies.
What is the history of the world bank
The World Bank was established in 1944 during the Bretton Woods Conference, along with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Initially, its primary focus was on the reconstruction of Europe and Japan after World War II, but over time, it shifted its focus toward development and poverty alleviation in low- and middle-income countries.
What are the objectives of the world bank
The primary objectives of the World Bank are to:
Reduce global poverty.
Promote shared prosperity by fostering the income growth of the bottom 40% of every country.
Support sustainable development by focusing on the environment and social well-being.
Describe the structure of the world bank
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): Provides loans to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries.
International Development
Association (IDA): Offers concessional loans (low or zero interest) and grants to the world’s poorest countries.
International Finance Corporation (IFC): Supports private sector development by providing investment and advisory services to businesses.
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA): Provides political risk insurance and credit enhancement to encourage foreign investment in developing countries.
International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID): Provides facilities for the arbitration of investment disputes between governments and foreign investors.
What is NATO
NATO is an intergovernmental organization which was originally grouped together in 1949 to face off against the soviet union and its allies. it originally consisted of 12 countries, but now has 32 members.
NATO’s primary purpose is to ensure the security and defense of its member countries through political and military means.
NATO works with other non-member countries that are known as NATO partners.
NATO works closely with international organisations like the European union and the United Nations.
Country representatives gather together in the north atlantic council to discuss security issues and agree in common responses.
What is an example of NATO has shown crisis management skills.
The situation in Afghanistan became critical following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, which were orchestrated by al-Qaeda, a terrorist group based in Afghanistan and protected by the Taliban regime. In response, the U.S. led an invasion of Afghanistan with the goal of dismantling al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power.
NATO’s Role in Crisis Management:
Assuming Leadership of ISAF:
In December 2001, the United Nations established the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to help maintain security in Kabul and surrounding areas, and to assist in the establishment of a new Afghan government.
In August 2003, NATO assumed command of ISAF, marking its first mission outside the Euro-Atlantic area. NATO’s role was to provide security, support the Afghan government, and help create a stable environment for reconstruction and development.
Expanding the Mission:
Under NATO’s leadership, ISAF expanded its mission beyond Kabul to the entire country. This involved deploying troops across Afghanistan to provide security and combat the insurgency led by the Taliban and other militant groups.
NATO’s mission included training and mentoring the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP) to build up local security forces capable of maintaining order and countering insurgencies on their own.
Civil-Military Coordination:
NATO’s crisis management strategy in Afghanistan involved a combination of military operations and civilian efforts. This “comprehensive approach” aimed to address both the security challenges and the underlying causes of instability, such as poverty, weak governance, and lack of infrastructure.
NATO worked closely with the United Nations, the European Union, and other international organizations to coordinate reconstruction efforts, governance support, and humanitarian aid.
Counterinsurgency and Stabilization Operations:
NATO forces engaged in counterinsurgency operations to combat the Taliban and al-Qaeda. This involved a mix of military force and efforts to win the “hearts and minds” of the Afghan population by improving local security and providing economic opportunities.
ISAF conducted numerous operations to clear insurgent strongholds, protect civilian populations, and establish safe zones for development projects.
Transition and Drawdown:
Starting in 2011, NATO began transitioning security responsibilities to the Afghan forces as part of a broader plan to reduce its military presence. This process involved gradually transferring control of provinces and districts to the Afghan government.
By the end of 2014, NATO formally ended its combat mission in Afghanistan, transitioning to a new, non-combat mission called Resolute Support, which focused on training, advising, and assisting Afghan security forces.
Outcomes and Challenges:
Achievements: NATO succeeded in toppling the Taliban regime and severely disrupting al-Qaeda’s operations in Afghanistan. The alliance also played a key role in building up Afghan security forces and supporting the establishment of democratic institutions.
Challenges: Despite these efforts, Afghanistan remained unstable, with the Taliban and other insurgent groups continuing to pose significant security challenges. The country’s progress was uneven, with issues such as corruption, weak governance, and a fragile economy undermining long-term stability.
Long-Term Impact: NATO’s involvement in Afghanistan demonstrated its ability to conduct complex, long-term crisis management operations involving both military and civilian components. The mission highlighted the difficulties of nation-building and counterinsurgency in a challenging environment, and it sparked debates about the limits of military intervention in achieving political solutions.
What are some achievements the world bank has done.
In the late 1970s, as China began economic reforms to open up its economy and improve living standards, the World Bank partnered with the country to support critical poverty reduction and infrastructure development. The World Bank funded projects like the Southwest Poverty Reduction Project (1995-2001), which focused on improving conditions in some of China’s poorest rural areas through investments in agriculture, infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
The World Bank also played a significant role in financing key infrastructure projects, such as the China Highway Project (1985-1999) and the controversial Three Gorges Dam, which were vital for economic growth and integration. These efforts contributed to a dramatic reduction in poverty, with China’s poverty rate dropping from 88% in 1981 to below 10% by 2010, while also helping the country build the capacity to undertake large-scale development initiatives.
