BODIES OF THE UNITED NATIONS
SECRETARIAT
- Does paperwork and administrative detail
- Is headed by the Secretary-General
- Has about 4,000 employees from many countries
SECURITY COUNCIL
- Has fifteen members
- 5 permanent
- 10 regional representatives for 2 years each
- Can vote the use of force to maintain peace and protect human rights
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
- Has 192 members – universal membership
- Elects or chooses members of other bodies
- Passes resolutions; no enforcement powers
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
- Headquartered in the Netherlands
- Composed of 15 justices
- Hears few cases
- Usually both sides agree to bring the case to the court
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
- Has 54 members elected on a regional basis
- Investigates and studies a variety of topics
- Coordinates activities of independent agencies
- Controls over 70% of UN funds and personnel
** The original United Nations Charter included the Trusteeship Council, whose function was to oversee the treatment of colonial peoples. However for the most part these colonial peoples are now members of independent and sovereign nations, and the Trusteeship Council has not met since l986.