UN Charter

UN Charter - Article 1

One dominant force in the world that seeks to represent the underrepresented, demonstrate and promote the sovereignty of other nations above all else as well as acting as a controlling force for intercultural and international relations, the United Nations acts as as vesel for the rights and relationships of countries and more specifically individual cultures.

This charter is important because it establishes the base for the UN as well as its boundaries. Setting up goals to increase effective international relationships is the basis of intercultural communications. Without effective communication about differing cultures the UN would fall apart because the individuals may receive the intended message or idea incorrectly. Though Intercultural communications is often thought of as a business class or effective in that area, its just as important in this realm as well.

In high school I had the privilege of participating at the Model United Nations event in New York at the actual UN building. While participating in Model UN as well as the specific conference it is mandatory that you not only follow the UN charter but that you uphold the sovereignty of countries and respect the individual cultures and customs of all delegates -- the students instructed to act like their respective countries as much as possible. This example allowed me to use my lens to reflect on how difficult it was to convey the plight of our country because the committee did not understand the values and beliefs of the farmers that were greatly affected by the seemingly great bill that they had agreed up. However, understanding how to speak for the country allowed us the chance to convey the importance of seemingly provincial beliefs to a committee on gun and small arms regulation.

(For the purpose of those that have not seen the Charter --)

1. To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace;
2. To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;
3. To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and
4. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.