Thinking Globally, Debating Locally

In many debate rounds, the UN Security Council is often a must-know topic. This post will be a short primer and offer additional resources so that if you are ever faced with a UN or Security Council resolution...you are well armed! Background:  The UN Security Council is the United Nation's primary body for crisis-management. The UN Security Council has the ability to pass binding resolutions on the other 193 member state in an effort to maintain peace.  The structure of the council remains largely unchanged since 1946, which causes some debate among members about its efficacy and authority to establish lasting policies.  The Security Council has five permanent members--China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (P5). Any of these members can veto any resolution. The ten elected members, are not afforded a veto power. Following WWII, the U.S. and the Soviet Union were victors and established the post-war order. Along with the United Kingdom,...

Like the UN Security Council, it is necessary to understand the composition and role of the United Nations for many debate rounds. One of the most important bodies besides the Security Council is the General Assembly. The UN is a platform of global leaders to debate, discussion, and argue the world's most pressing issues to develop peace and security.  The UN general assembly is the only universally representative body in the United Nations The other major bodies in the UN are the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Secretariat, and the International Court of Justice.  The General Assembly is designed to debate, discuss, and make recommendations on various subjects. The General Assembly has a multitude of functions including approving the UN budget.  The General Assembly has 193 member states each with a vote.  The President of the Assembly changes with each session and the current President is Maria Fernanda Espinosa Graces, Ecuador's...