The United Nations was created on October 24, 1945, as a result of and reaction to the destruction wrought by World War II.  As stated in its Charter, the UN aims to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”.  Originating with a collective security alliance, the organization has come to include 192 member states and carries out activities in a wide variety of sectors, ranging from the environment to peacekeeping operations.  It consists of five functioning main organs, and dozens of subsidiary organizations. Organs of the UN:

General Assembly: this is the forum in which each member of the UN is given an equal voice and voting power.  The GA can take up any international issue except those under discussion in the Security Council.  In addition, it mandates much of the UN”s internal procedures, including the annual budget and the composition of subsidiary organs.

Security Council: this council is mandated with resolving issues of and threats to international peace and security.  It is the only UN body equipped to authorize the use of force, and is thus often considered to be the organization’s executive organ.  It is composed of five permanent, veto-wielding members, and ten rotating members elected by the General Assembly.

Economic and Social Council: this body is concerned with addressing and resolving issues regarding economic development, education, health and culture..

International Court of Justice: the Court is tasked with providing advisory opinions and judicial decisions regarding international disputes through the application of international law.  It is composed of fifteen judges from the world’s different legal systems, who serve as members of the international judiciary as opposed to delegates of their home states.

Secretariat: these are the officers who facilitate, manage, and direct the UN and all of its organs.

Trusteeship: created to oversee non-self-governing territories. This body has been inactive for decades.

   Intergovernmental at its core, the UN is not immune to but rather reflects, and works with and around the shifting dynamics of world politics.  Its successes have been as real and significant as its failures, and it is continually confronted with new trials.  The UN represents an unmatched opportunity for international cooperation in any realm of mutual concern.