THE UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION IN CANADA QUINTE BRANCH
HISTORY OF THE UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations is an international organization designed to make the enforcement of international law, security, economic development, social progress and human rights easier for countries around the world. The United Nations currently includes 193 member countries with its official headquarters located in New York City. Before the organization was known as the United Nations, the League of Nations was the international organization responsible for ensuring peace and cooperation between world nations. Founded in 1919 “to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security”. During its prime, the League of Nations had 58 members and was considered very successful. However, during the 1930’s, the organization’s power started to flourish as the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy and Japan) gained influence, eventually leading to the start of World War II in 1939.The term “United Nations” was coined by Winston Churchill and Franklin D Roosevelt in 1942, in the Declaration by the Unite Nations. The UN as it is known today however was not officially founded until 1945 when the Charter of the Unite Nations was drafted at the UN Conference in San Francisco, California. This conference was attended by 50 nations and several non-governmental organizations- all of which signed the Charter. The UN officially came into existence on October 24, 1945 after ratification of the Charter.The principles of the UN as explained in the Charter are to save future generations from war, reaffirm human rights and to establish equal rights for all persons. In addition it also aims to promote justice, freedom and social progress for the people of all its member states.