Activity 3. Mind map task

Historical facts

Areas to which it is dedicated

1945

01

Origins of International Organizations

History of international cooperation

06

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

02

Origin

INTERNATIONAL Organizations

Major international organizations

International cooperation

05

Areas to which it is dedicated

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FOUND

Origin

03

uNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION

04

world bank

Areas to which it is dedicated

Origin

Areas to which it is dedicated

Origin

From GATT to the WTO

From 1948 to 1994, the GATT established the rules applicable to a large part of world trade, however on January 1, 1995, the WTO was created. The emergence of this international organization meant the greatest reform of international trade since the end of World War II.

WTO organization chart

The WTO is the only international organization that deals with global rules related to trade between countries. Its main function is to ensure that commercial flows circulate with the greatest possible fluidity, predictability and freedom.

Origin of international institutions

International organizations have always been created at key moments in history when international cooperation has been essential to promote peace and development. These organizations or institutions in a certain way facilitate and coordinate collaboration between international actors.

Now, the origin of these organizations dates back to the Congress of Vienna in 1815, since the so-called river commissions were stablished there. Some time later, in 1919, the League of Nations was born as part of the Treaty of Versailles in order to promote peace. However, this initiative did not work, so it disappeared and gave rise to the creation of the United Nations (UN).

Work of the World Bank

The World Bank brings innovative financing, experience and knowledge acquired from around the world, and long-term commitment to each of its alliances with countries that aspire to grow their economies and provide greater opportunities for their populations (World Bank, 2023)

Approaches

• Accelerate sustainable and inclusive economic growth
• Invest in people to generate human capital
• Building resilience to global shocks and threats
• Attracting private sector financing in the most difficult environments

Work of the United Nations

The UN is dedicated to working in areas such as:

• Maintain International Peace and Security
• Protect Human Rights
• Deliver Humanitarian Aid
• Support Sustainable Development and Climate Action
• Uphold International Law
• Global Issues

Working for cooperation

The International Monetary Found is concerned with promoting international monetary cooperation, ensuring financial stability, facilitating international trade, promoting high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reducing poverty worldwide, (World Bank).

Main actors

There are many organizations around the world.

However, the most important are:

• United Nations (UN)
• World Bank Group
• International Monetary Found (IMF)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)

Marshall Plan as the origin of international cooperation

After the Second World War, many European countries had serious difficulties and the United States, as a hegemonic power, launched the Marshal Plan in 1947. The Marshal Plan involved a transfer of more than 13 billion dollars to the most affected countries of the old continent.

However, the NGOs that currently bear the greatest burden of international cooperation were born much earlier, for example in 1914 there were more than 1,800 NGOs. Although the term “NGO” was first used in 1950 by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

What is international cooperation?

International cooperation is understood as joint action between various actors such as States, international organizations and non-governmental organizations, to face common challenges and support sustainable development worldwide. Currently there are many types of international cooperation, including:

• Technical cooperation
• Financial cooperation
• Cultural cooperation

• humanitarian aid
• Donations in kind
• Scholarships

History of the UN

The first time the world heard the name United Nations was in 1945.

The World War II was very devastating and left many nations in ruin. That is why representatives from 50 countries met at the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco, California, from April 25 to June 26, 1945. During this time, they drafted and then signed the United Nations Charter, which created a new international organization, the United Nations (UN).

On October 24, 1945, the United Nations came into existence after nations such as China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States ratified the Charter.

The United Nations System

Getting to know of the World Bank

The creation of the World Bank dates back to 1944. This organization was founded in order to help rebuild Europe and Japan after World War II, taking into account that this conflict left great losses for everyone involved. Initially its official name was the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). When it began operations it had 38 members. Today, most countries in the world are members.

The World Bank is made up of 5 institutions:

• BIRF
• The International Development Association
• The International Finance Corporation
• The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
• The International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes

Explore history

• France, first country to create a Ministry of Cooperation.
• The World Food Program is created in Rome: aimed at reducing the nutritional deficiencies of a large part of the world's population.
• In the 70s, NGOs took on the relevance they have today, due to their lack of political ties and their lack of socioeconomic interests.
• In 1991, the war in the former Yugoslavia left NGOs in trouble because they made great efforts to help civilians.

• In 1994, during the famine in East Africa and the civil war in Rwanda, international cooperation was key as it provided aid to the population and warned about the seriousness of environmental events such as desertification and water pollution.

Common origins and goals

The IMF and the World Bank were created in July 1944 at the Bretton Woods international conference held in the United States. Therefore, both institutions have common origins and goals. The main objective of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity for each of its 190 member countries. Its headquarters are located in Washington D.C.