The United Nations has been in existence for more than fifty years with its headquarters right here in our own country. How much do you know about the work that it does? How successful has it been in reaching its goals of keeping peace around the world? Can one organization really help to solve the world’s social, economic, and humanitarian problems? If the United Nations didn’t exist, would the world be in greater danger than it is now from aggressor countries, hunger, disease? This exercise will help you examine some of these issues.

The United Nations is organized around a group of Committees and Councils. You can find information about these Committees at: http://www.un.org . Once you have learned about their functions, study the following statements and decide if they are true or false.

General Assembly

1		May take action, if Security Council fails to act in a case where there is a threat to peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression.
			A)	True
			B)	False
2		Main deliberative organ of the United Nations.
			A)	True
			B)	False
3		Decisions of the Assembly have a legally binding force for all governments.
			A)	True
			B)	False
4		Decisions on important questions such as peace and security require two-thirds majority vote of member states.
			A)	True
			B)	False

Secretariat

5		Monitors the extent to which the decisions of UN governing bodies are being carried out.
			A)	True
			B)	False
6		Staff of the Secretariat answers to each country for activities that impact that country.
			A)	True
			B)	False
7		Staff informs the media about the work of the United Nations.
			A)	True
			B)	False
8		Administers the policies and programs laid down by other organizations of the United Nations.
			A)	True
			B)	False
9		Has headquarters all over the world.
			A)	True
			B)	False

Economic and Social Council

10		Consults with IGOs concerning issues related to economic problems.
			A)	True
			B)	False
11		Promotes respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
			A)	True
			B)	False
12		Negotiates agreements with specialized agencies defining their relationship to the United Nations.
			A)	True
			B)	False
13		Formulates policy recommendations on international economic, and social issues of a global nature.
			A)	True
			B)	False

Security Council

14		Investigates any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction.
			A)	True
			B)	False
15		Calls on Members to apply economic sanctions to prevent or stop aggression.
			A)	True
			B)	False
16		Takes military action against an aggressor with approval of two-thirds vote of the General Assembly.
			A)	True
			B)	False
17		Recommends to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary General.
			A)	True
			B)	False

International Court of Justice

18		Settles legal disputes submitted to it by the States.
			A)	True
			B)	False
19		Judgment of the Court is final and without appeal.
			A)	True
			B)	False
20		Gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by international agencies.
			A)	True
			B)	False
21		Members of the Court do not represent their governments but are independent magistrates.
			A)	True
			B)	False
22		The Court hears cases and proposes solutions in the language of the parties who file the case.
			A)	True
			B)	False

Trusteeship Council

23		Promotes advancement of inhabitants of Trust Territories towards self-government or independence.
			A)	True
			B)	False
24		Meets annually to assess status of Trust Territories.
			A)	True
			B)	False
25		Examines and discusses reports on political, economic, social issues of people of Trust Territories.
			A)	True
			B)	False