After six decades of promoting peace, the United Nations （U.N.） has gained the respect of leaders worldwide. But recent scandals have created doubts about the peacekeeping organization. Some observers wonder if the U.N. is still capable of leading the world toward peace.
The U.N. was created in 1945 in response to the horrors of World War II. Hoping to prevent a future world war, 51 nations got to together and formed the U.N. Today there are 191 member states. Representatives meet regularly, making decisions affecting world peace, economics, health and social issues.
The U.N. serves as a place for nations to peacefully work out their differences. This takes place through discussion and debate.
But the U.N. has also taken the lead in many other areas, from disaster aid to women's rights. The organization has promoted democracy in places like Cambodia, Nicaragua and East Timor. It has given aid to more than 50 million refugees. U.N. agencies have provided safe drinking water to over 1.3 billion people. And the U.N. leads an effort to clear land mines from former battlefields.
The U.N. was created in 1945 in response to the horrors of World War II. Hoping to prevent a future world war, 51 nations got to together and formed the U.N. Today there are 191 member states. Representatives meet regularly, making decisions affecting world peace, economics, health and social issues.
The U.N. serves as a place for nations to peacefully work out their differences. This takes place through discussion and debate.
But the U.N. has also taken the lead in many other areas, from disaster aid to women's rights. The organization has promoted democracy in places like Cambodia, Nicaragua and East Timor. It has given aid to more than 50 million refugees. U.N. agencies have provided safe drinking water to over 1.3 billion people. And the U.N. leads an effort to clear land mines from former battlefields.