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United Nations Day is observed on October 24 every year to mark the anniversary of the UN Charter's entry into force in 1945. Since 1948, this day has been celebrated as a day to reflect on the achievements of the UN and to renew the commitment to its goals.
As we celebrate World United Nations Day, it is important that we take it back to the beginning. How did the United Nations body come to be? What's the importance, the significance and the goals of this international organisation? Understanding the basics will help us better understand the purpose of this celebration.
History of the United Nations
The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 after World War II, a period of devastation, loss of human lives, and the horrors of the Holocaust (during the Second World War, the Nazis murdered nearly six million European Jews. This genocide is called the Holocaust).
The international community saw the urgent need to prevent such a catastrophic conflict from happening again. As a result, 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing better living standards and upholding human rights.
The UN was established as a successor to the League of Nations, which had failed to prevent World War II.
In April 1945, representatives from 50 nations gathered in San Francisco to create the United Nations Charter. The UN Charter was signed on June 26, 1945, right after the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organisation (UNCIO), and it officially came into force on October 24, 1945, hence the annual celebration of the United Nations on this date.
Goals of the United Nations
The goals of the United Nations are:
- Maintaining international peace and addressing threats to peace and security.
- Developing friendly relations among nations
- Achieving international cooperation
- Promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights.
- Providing humanitarian aid, including food, shelter, and medical care.
- Addressing global challenges such as poverty, hunger and climate change while actively promoting gender equality, empowering women and girls, and advocating for equal rights and opportunities.
Importance of the United Nations
The United Nations is the world's largest and most important international organisation, with an impressive track record of achievements. It has helped to prevent and resolve conflicts, protect human rights, and provide humanitarian assistance to millions of people in need. The UN has successfully resolved conflicts in various regions, averting potential large-scale wars and established humanitarian aid agencies like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to offer assistance to millions of vulnerable people in crisis-stricken areas.
The UN has tackled global issues, including climate change, pandemics, and economic development. Diplomacy and peacekeeping missions have helped in stabilising conflict regions and facilitating peaceful relations.
This organisation stands as a symbol of hope in a world that has witnessed both the horrors of war and the potential for a better, more peaceful world.