You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources which you are told to use. In answering the questions you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources.
1 (a) Study Source A.
What does Source A tells you about UN's commitment to its aims? Explain your answer. [5]
(b) Study Source B.
How useful is Source B in aiding your understanding of the effectiveness of UN? Explain your answer. [7]
(c) Study Source C.
Does Source C prove that UN has the support of the international community? Explain your answer. [6]
(d) Study Source D and E.
Evaluate the differences between Source D and E. [7]
Issue: Effectiveness of United Nations in carrying out its aims
Background
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achieving world peace. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to stop wars between countries and to provide a platform for dialogue.
There are currently 192 member states, including nearly every recognized independent state in the world. From its headquarters on international territory in New York City, the UN and its specialized agencies decide on substantive and administrative issues in regular meetings held throughout the year. The organization is divided into administrative bodies, primarily:
The General Assembly (the main deliberative assembly);
The Security Council (decides certain resolutions for peace and security);
The Economic and Social Council (assists in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development);
The Secretariat (provides studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN);
The International Court of Justice (the primary judicial organ).
Additional bodies deal with the governance of all other UN System agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Source A An abstract from an interview with Lord Robertson, Chairman of the Commission for Global Road Safety, which proposed a global ministerial conference to United Nations.
I am delighted that the UN has today recognised the scale of human suffering and economic loss caused by road traffic deaths and injuries [by approving the proposal]. Now we must ensure that the UN Conference is not just another talking shop, but secures real commitments and takes real action to reverse the tide of global road deaths.
Source B An Abstract from The Times, “Bush deploys hawk as new UN envoy”, dated 8th March 2005
Bush nomination of John Bolton as US Ambassador to the United Nations is seen by many as an aggressive move. Mr Bolton once said:“There is no such thing as the United Nations. There is only the international community, which can only be led by the only remaining superpower, which is the United States." He also stated that "The [UN] Secretariat building in New York has 38 stories. If you lost ten stories today, it wouldn't make a bit of difference."
Source C An abstract of a report on a public poll conducte.d for BBC World Service by international polling company GlobeScan published on World Public Opinion’s website dated 24 January 2006
In 30 of the 32 countries polled, a majority (23 countries) rated the United Nations as having a positive influence. On average 59 percent rated the United Nations as having a positive influence, while just 16 percent rated it as having a negative influence.
However, among the 19 countries that were polled in December 2004 and again in the current poll, the percentage giving the U.N. a positive rating is down an average of 10 points.
Source D An abstract from an article taken from a blog in response to the controversies surrounding UN
Haitian underage girls are now paying for taking help from the UN. They have been sexually exploited by Sri Lankan UN peace-keepers for less than $1. Haitian feminists have now woken up to the problem and are demanding inquires by the UN. Olga Benoit of Haitian Women’s Solidarity recalls another case involving two Pakistani soldiers about two years ago. These men in uniform had raped a mentally challenged woman whom they were supposed to protect.
Poor girls in this horribly impoverished nation are just cattle for both Haitian men and their foreign protectors. Excessively patriarchal Haiti chooses to look the other way when girls are exploited. After all, a dollar is better than no money at all.
Source E Brazilian UN soldiers help a handicapped child as they distribute food and a program of music to celebrate peace in the Cite Soleil slum of Port-au-Prince, 25 April 2007
Try to check the answer after you have done the question.
Study Source A
What does Source A tells you about UN’s commitment to its aims? Explain your answer. (5)
(Note from the Ess: This set of answer only have ICE Inference Content and Explanation. If you got two ICE it is o.k.)
Source A tells me that UN is committed to its aims of fostering cooperation in international law, economic development, social progress.(Inference) Based on Source A, “UN today recognised the scale of human suffering and economic loss caused by approving the proposal”(Content). This shows that when called for action by the global community, UN will take immediate actions. Hence, showing that UN is committed to its cause. (Explanation)
Source A shows that UN may sometime falter in carrying out its programme to achieve its aims.(Inference) From Source A, ““UN conference is not just another talking shop, but secures real commitments and takes real action to reverse the tide of global road deaths.”(Content) This shows that sometimes decisions made were not carried out by the member countries. (Explanation)
(Note from the Ess. You can also ICE the POA which means you infer the purpose and get the content and explanation to support your inference. Do not forget the outcome)
The speaker's purpose in saying that he was delighted that the UN has recognised the scale of human suffering is trying to hint (Purpose words) that the UN did not recognised the human suffering in the past. It is said in an ironic tone. He wants the conference to be a real effective (outcome) one instead of "another talking shop" as he does not seems to have enough faith in the UN. He hope that he can" secures real commitments and takes real action to reverse the tide of global road deaths." Therefore Source A tells me that the UN is not totally committed to its aims.
(b) Study Source B
How useful is Source B in aiding your understanding of the effectiveness of UN? Explain your answer. [7]
Yes. Source B is useful in aiding my understanding of the effectiveness of UN. Source B suggests that one of the reasons for UN ineffectiveness was the commitment and support from member countries. From Source B, “Bush nomination of John Bolton to United Nations is seen by many as an aggressive move”. This suggests that one of the problems which UN faces is the support of its member countries. This information suggests that the some of its member countries has its own agenda when sending envoys to UN and they may not be supportive of UN’s stance.
This is further supported by information from Source C, “among 19 countries polled in December 2004 and again in the current poll, the percentage giving the UN a positive rating is down” Since more countries are seeing UN as having a less positive influence. This suggests that they would be less supportive of UN’s actions and decisions. This concurs with that of Source B. Hence, Source B is useful to my understanding of UN limitations.
However, Source B has its limitations. Source B shows comments and reaction from one source. It does not represent the reaction from all member countries. Source B does not represent the extend of UN’s problems.
(Note from the Ess Notice, the Ying Yang (useful and not useful aspect) +cross reference) You must have these three elements to score full marks.
(c)Study Source C. Does Source C prove that UN has the support of the international community? Explain your answer.
(Explain why it does not prove)
No, Source C does not prove that UN has the support of the international community. From Source C, “average 59 percent rated the United Nations as having a positive influence, while just 16 percent rated it as having a negative influence”. This shows that out of the countries polled, there are some which thinks that UN has a negative influence. If these countries do not see UN in a positive light they would be less likely to be supportive of what UN does.
(Cross ref to support)
In addition, cross-referenced against Source D, “Haitian underage girls are now paying for taking help from the UN. They have been sexually exploited by Sri Lankan UN peace-keepers” This shows that UN peacekeepers are not helping the people in need. This agrees with Source C in saying that there are countries which does not see UN as a positive influence. Hence, Source C is unreliable to prove that UN has the support of the international community.
(Explain why it does prove)
However, we can trust Source C that it does prove that UN is getting the support from the international community. As Source C is a factual source, with neutral tone. It does not take side of the UN. It is a report by an international polling company which has no stake in UN. The purpose of the source is to inform the public about the popularity of UN.
(d) Study Source D and E
Evaluate the differences between Source D and E. [7]
Source D and E are similar in identifying the role of the UN peacekeeping troops. (Comparing statement) From Source D, “raped a mentally challenged woman whom they were supposed to protect” and from Source E showing UN soldiers helping a boy by carrying him. Both sources inform us that UN’s role in the countries that they were deployed to is to help the people.
Source D and E are different in assessing the service rendered by UN troops. (comparing statement)
Source D and E are different in assessing the service rendered by UN troops. (comparing statement)
Source D shows that UN peacekeeping troops were a negative addition to the people. From Source D, “they have been sexually exploited by Sri Lankan UN peace-keepers”, these men in uniform had raped a mentally challenged woman whom they were supposed to protect” This shows that instead of helping the people in need, UN soldiers are adding to their misery.
On the other hand, Source E shows that UN soldiers are a positive addition to the people. From Source E, UN soldiers were carrying a handicapped boy. This shows that UN soldiers were doing good in the place that they are helping. Hence, Source D and E are different.
Source D and E are different in their purpose by depicting UN soldiers in different light. (Comparing statement)
Source D’s purpose in to vilify UN soldiers by discussing the ill-behaviours of UN soldiers, the author hopes to highlight the negative behaviours of the soldiers in hope the UN take action against such acts.
On the other hand, Source E is glorifying the works of UN troops by showing UN soldiers doing a good job in the country they are helping. The photographer may be attempting to gather more support for UN.
(Note from the Ess. Notcie the structure of the answer. You have a comparing statement then you find ifnormation in Source D and Source C to support the comparing statement.)
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