Global Security Issues

Global Security Issues

Miss Tania

Peacekeeping Activities

The United Nations (UN) works in a variety of ways toward increasing collective global security.

The UN provides a public forum, private meeting places, and skilled mediators to help nations try to resolve conflicts at any stage of their development. At the invitation of the warring parties, the UN also provides peacekeeping forces. These forces are made up of soldiers from different nations. They work to carry out peace agreements, monitor cease-fires, or put an end to fighting to allow peace negotiations to go forward. They also help to move refugees, deliver supplies, and operate hosptials.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

In 1968, many nations signed a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to help prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons to other nations. In the 1970s, the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaties. In the 1980s, both countries talked about deactivating some of their nuclear weapons. Many nations also signed treaties promising not to produce biological or chemical weapons.

Nations have not only worked to prevent and contain conflicts, they also have forged treaties to limit the manufacturing, testing, and trade of weapons. The weapons of most concern are those that cause mass destruction. These include nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons that can kill thousands, even millions of people.

Human Rights Issues

In 1948, the UN issued the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which set human rights standards for all nations. The declaration listed specific rights that all human beings should have. Later, in the Helsinki Accords of 1975, the UN addressed the issues of freedom of movement and freedom to publish and exchange information.

The sentiments in these documents inspired many people around the world. They made a commitment to ensuring that basic human rights are respected. The UN and other international agencies, such as Amnesty International, identify and publicize human rights violations. They also encourage people to work toward a world in which liberty and justice are guaranteed for all.

Women’s Status Improves

When women in Western nations entered the work force, they often faceddiscrimination in employment and salary. In non-Western countries, many women not only faced discrimination in jobs, they were denied access to education.

In regions torn by war or ethnic conflict, they were often victims of violence and abuse. As women suffered, so too did their familymembers, especially children.

In 1975, the UN held the first of several international conferences on women’s status in the world. The fourth conference was held in Beijing, China, in 1995. It addressed such issues as preventing violence against women and empowering women to take leadership roles in politics and in business.

In the 1970s, a heightened awareness of human rights encouraged women in many countries to work to improve their lives. They pushed for new laws and governmentpolicies that gave them greater equality.