Task Force: Strengthening the UN

Congratulations!

You are part of a special committee organized by the United Nations that seeks to strengthen its functions and programs. You will be responsible for researching current issues within the system and trying to resolve them as well.

Why Are We Doing This?

The United Nations was founded in 1945 with the commitment to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations and promote social progress, better living standards and human rights. They have been relatively successful in meeting these commitments, but there are still issues present within the systems that could be reformed. Here, we ask you to research flaws in their system and try to come up with solutions for them. 

Steps:

1. Before you begin, read about what the United Nations has done and research issues associated with the current system. 
2. Then, try to come up with a plan to strengthen the United Nations and address the various issues within the current system.
   1. What issue(s) could the UN have better approached? How?
   2. How will you strengthen the functions of the UN?
   3. What needs to be done to ensure the UN is effectively meeting its commitments?
   4. What functions and procedures need to be preserved? Why?
   5. What issues and commitments will be given more attention and importance?
3. Think through the possible objections about your plan that someone might have. 
   1. Are you leaving out an important reformation that hasn’t been addressed?
4. Share with the group and see if you can convince them that your plan ensures that the United Nations is reformed to better meet the various commitments it tries to make.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• You do not have to come up with an exhaustive list of guidelines for your plan. Focus on a few you are prepared to defend.
• Try to brainstorm specific controversial issues and how the UN resolved them.