Understanding International Organisations
FoundationThe United Nations guards peace, the WHO protects health, the Red Cross brings relief, UNICEF helps children, and the IOC stages the Olympics — countries cooperate to face global problems together.
- International organisations bring countries together on a platform to settle world affairs.
- The United Nations, founded in 1945, works for peace and cooperation.
- The WHO guards health, UNICEF protects children, the WTO sets trade rules, the Red Cross saves lives.
文體小知識：國際知識說明文帶我們認識聯合國等國際組織，看看世界怎樣攜手解決共同問題。
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1With nearly two hundred countries and territories, the world needs common platforms to talk matters over and settle disputes — hence international organisations. Made up of many states or groups with shared aims and charters, they coordinate cooperation in peace, health, trade, sport and more.
2The United Nations, founded in 1945, is the most representative organisation, counting almost every country as a member. Its aims include keeping international peace and security, developing friendly relations and promoting cooperation. The Security Council handles threats to peace; the General Assembly lets all countries discuss global issues; every September delegates gather in New York.
3Specialised bodies divide the work. The World Health Organization coordinates global public health and issues guidance in epidemics. The United Nations Children's Fund brings vaccines, schooling and relief to children in developing lands. The World Trade Organization sets the rules of trade. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement brings humanitarian aid in war and disaster, treating the wounded and tracing the missing. The International Olympic Committee stages the Games every four years, building friendship through sport.
4These organisations are funded by members' shares and donations, staffed from every corner of the world. Through them countries negotiate climate accords, coordinate against epidemics and help one another in disasters. No nation can solve global problems alone; cooperation and shared rules are why international organisations exist. Knowing them is the first step to seeing the world.
1Summary 重點摘要
The United Nations guards peace, the WHO protects health, the Red Cross brings relief, UNICEF helps children, and the IOC stages the Olympics — countries cooperate to face global problems together.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
The organisation founded in 1945 to keep world peace and promote cooperation.
The UN body handling threats to peace.
The UN meeting where all members discuss global issues.
The UN agency coordinating global public health.
The UN body bringing children vaccines, schooling and relief.
The organisation setting the rules of world trade.
The international movement giving humanitarian aid in war and disaster.
The sports body staging the Olympic Games.
Urgent help given to people hit by disaster or war.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: See why international organisations aroseCountries deal with one another constantly and need common places to discuss and handle shared affairs. For example, countries are like pupils in one big class that needs class rules and a class meeting; international organisations are the world's meeting, where countries sit together to talk things over. With them, disputes can be settled by negotiation instead of force, cooperation runs more orderly, and the world becomes more peaceful.
- Step 2: Meet the United NationsThe United Nations is today the largest international organisation with the most members. For example, founded in 1945 with headquarters in New York; in its halls every delegation has its own seat and nameplate. Its purpose is to keep world peace and security and to promote friendship and cooperation, and nearly every country on Earth is a member. Knowing the United Nations is the first step to knowing international organisations.
- Step 3: Tell apart the UN's main bodiesUnder the United Nations sit several main bodies, each with a clear duty. For example, the Security Council handles threats to peace and can pass resolutions on conflict areas; the General Assembly lets delegates of all countries debate global issues; the Secretariat runs daily work, with the Secretary-General as its top administrator. Knowing the division of work helps us see how international affairs are discussed and settled step by step.
- Step 4: Learn what specialised bodies doThe UN's specialised bodies serve the world in different fields, closely tied to our life. For example, in an epidemic the World Health Organization issues guidance; the United Nations Children's Fund brings vaccines and supplies to remote villages; the World Trade Organization settles trade disputes between countries. These bodies give health, education and trade international standards to follow, with countries working in concert.
- Step 5: Meet the humanitarian bodiesWhen disasters and wars strike, humanitarian organisations are always among the first to arrive. For example, after an earthquake the Red Cross sends rescue teams and medical staff, sets up field clinics, and helps families trace missing relatives. Guided by humanitarian spirit they help the sick, injured and needy regardless of nationality or background, so victims receive help in their hardest hours and feel the warmth of humanity.
- Step 6: Meet the sports and culture bodiesSports and cultural organisations link the countries of the world through games and exchange. For example, the International Olympic Committee holds the Games every four years, where athletes of all nations meet on the field as equals and respect one another; the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization protects world cultural and natural heritage. Sports events and cultural exchange let people of different countries know and admire one another, showing that friendship and competition can go together.
- Step 7: Think about cooperating on global problemsMany global problems cannot be solved by one country alone and need all nations working together. For example, climate change knows no borders, so countries sign climate accords and cut emissions together; when earthquakes and epidemics come, nations support one another in rescue and medical care. Cooperation is the only way to solve global problems; learning to cooperate and follow shared rules from childhood prepares us to play our part in international cooperation too.
4Diagrams Diagrams
5Worked example Example
Example: a great earthquake strikes a country; communications fail and the injured are many. Name three international organisations that can help and what each can do.
- The Red Cross: sending rescue and medical teams, setting up field clinics, handing out supplies, and helping trace missing relatives.
- UNICEF: giving affected children clean water, vaccines and temporary learning spaces, putting children first.
- The World Health Organization: coordinating medical support and preventing epidemics in the disaster zone, so the wounded are treated.
- The United Nations: coordinating the entry of national rescue teams and pooling international donations and supplies, keeping relief orderly.
- Answer: The Red Cross rescues, UNICEF shields children, the WHO holds disease at bay, and the UN coordinates — global problems are solved by international organisations dividing the work and working together.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1When was the UN founded, and where is its headquarters?
Q2Which UN body handles threats to peace?
Q3What does the World Health Organization do?
Q4What does the Red Cross do in disasters?
Q5Which body stages the Olympic Games, and how often?
8Recap Recap
- International organisations bring countries together on a platform to settle world affairs.
- The United Nations, founded in 1945, works for peace and cooperation.
- The WHO guards health, UNICEF protects children, the WTO sets trade rules, the Red Cross saves lives.
- The IOC stages the Olympic Games every four years, building friendship through sport.
- No nation solves global problems alone — cooperation is why international organisations exist.