Topic 11: International Cooperation Since the 20th Century

Hello everyone! Have you ever tried to complete a really big school project all by yourself? It's tough, right? It’s much easier when you work in a team. Now, imagine the world's problems – like wars, poverty, and pollution. These are like giant projects that no single country can solve alone. That's where international cooperation comes in! It’s all about countries teaming up to make the world a better and safer place.

In this chapter, we're going to explore how countries started working together in the 20th century. We'll look at the biggest team of all, the United Nations, and see what they do. Let's dive in and see how teamwork can change the world!


Part 1: Why Do Countries Need to Work Together? The World's Big Challenges

After the two terrible World Wars in the 20th century, people realised that everyone on Earth shares the same planet and many of the same problems. These are often called general challenges for humanity. One country's problem can easily become a problem for its neighbours, and then the whole world!

Here are the main reasons why international cooperation is so important:

  • Conflicts and Cooperation: The biggest reason is to prevent wars. When countries talk to each other and work together, they are less likely to fight. Think of it like talking out a problem with a friend instead of getting into an argument. Cooperation helps build peace.

  • Poverty and Development: Some countries are very wealthy, while others are very poor. Poverty can lead to hunger, sickness, and instability. Through cooperation, richer countries can help poorer countries develop by providing money, technology, and education. It's like helping a classmate who is struggling with their homework.

  • Utilisation and Destruction of the Environment: Our planet faces huge environmental threats. For example, pollution from one country can travel through the air and oceans to another. Climate change affects everyone! No single country can clean the oceans or stop global warming on its own. We all have to work together to protect our home.

  • Illness and Medical Care: Diseases don't need a passport to cross borders. We saw this with the COVID-19 pandemic. To fight global diseases, scientists and doctors from all over the world need to share information, develop vaccines, and help each other. Teamwork saves lives!

Did you know?

The idea of countries working together isn't new, but it became much more serious after World War II. The massive destruction made leaders determined to find a new way to solve problems peacefully.

Key Takeaway

Some problems are too big for one country to handle. Global challenges like war, poverty, pollution, and disease require global teamwork, which we call international cooperation.


Part 2: The United Nations (UN) - The World's Meeting Room

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! To deal with the big challenges we just talked about, the world created a special organisation. Imagine a giant school council, but for the whole world. That's kind of what the United Nations (UN) is!

The Background: Why was the UN created?

The UN was officially established in 1945, right after World War II ended. The main goal was simple but powerful: to prevent another world war. Countries decided that having a place where they could all meet, talk, and vote on important issues was better than fighting. The UN provides a platform for diplomacy (peaceful talks) to solve disputes.

The UN's Work: More Than Just Talking!

The UN does a lot to achieve its goals. Here's a breakdown of its most important work:

1. Maintaining World Peace

This is the UN's number one job. How do they do it?

  • Peacekeeping Missions: The UN sends special soldiers called "peacekeepers" to conflict zones around the world. Their job isn't to fight, but to act as a neutral referee. They help keep warring groups apart, protect civilians, and help maintain ceasefires (agreements to stop fighting). They are often called "Blue Helmets" because of their light blue headwear.
  • Diplomacy and Mediation: The UN encourages leaders to talk through their problems. It often acts as a mediator, helping two sides find a peaceful compromise.

2. Contributing to Other Areas

Peace is about more than just the absence of war. The UN knows that people also need safety, opportunity, and justice. So, it has many special branches that work on other issues:

  • Economy: Helps fight poverty and promotes economic development. For example, The World Bank (part of the UN system) lends money to developing countries for projects like building schools and hospitals.

  • Culture: Protects important historical and cultural sites around the world. For example, UNESCO (a UN agency) designates World Heritage Sites, like the Great Wall of China or the Pyramids of Egypt, to protect them for the future.

  • Technology and Health: Promotes scientific advancement and fights global health crises. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) coordinates the global response to diseases like malaria, AIDS, and pandemics.

Quick Review: The UN's Main Jobs

P - Promote Peace (through peacekeepers and diplomacy).
H - Protect Human Rights (making sure everyone is treated fairly).
E - Foster Economic & Social Development (fighting poverty and disease).
L - Uphold International Law (creating rules for how countries should act).
(Memory tip: Think "PHEL-ps" - the UN helps the world!)

So, how effective is the UN?

That's a great question! The UN is not perfect. It can't force powerful countries to do things they don't want to do, and it has not been able to stop every conflict. However, it has had many successes. It has helped end many wars, provided food and aid to millions of people, and helped wipe out diseases like smallpox. Most historians agree that the world is a safer place because of the UN's efforts.

Key Takeaway

The United Nations (UN) was created after WWII to maintain world peace. It uses peacekeeping missions and diplomacy to prevent conflict and has many agencies that work on improving the economy, culture, and health for people worldwide.


Part 3 (Extension): More Global Helpers!

This part is for those who want to explore a bit more! The UN isn't the only team working on global problems. There are many other important groups too.

Regional Organisations: Teaming Up with Neighbours

These are clubs of countries from the same geographic area (or "region"). They work on issues that specifically affect their neighbourhood.

  • The European Union (EU): A group of European countries that work very closely on things like trade, the environment, and even use a common currency (the Euro).

  • Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): A group of 10 countries in Southeast Asia that cooperate on economic growth, social progress, and regional stability.

International Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs): People Power!

NGOs are not part of any government. They are groups started by ordinary citizens who are passionate about a specific cause. Think of them as giant, global school clubs!

  • International Committee of the Red Cross: Provides emergency aid and ensures that the rules of war are respected to protect civilians and prisoners.

  • Oxfam: A global organisation that works to end the injustice of poverty.

  • Greenpeace: Focuses on protecting the environment, from saving whales to campaigning against pollution.

  • Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) / Doctors Without Borders: Teams of volunteer doctors and nurses who provide urgent medical care in war zones and disaster areas.

Key Takeaway

Beyond the UN, countries also cooperate in regional organisations like the EU and ASEAN. In addition, thousands of NGOs, powered by ordinary people, work to solve specific problems like poverty, environmental damage, and health crises.