Skip to content

United Nations: Organs and Agencies | ICSE 8 Civics

questionbuddy.in/icse/class-8/history-civics/the-united-nations/aims-organs-icj-and-specialised-agencies

History & CivicsICSE Class 8 · The United Nations

The United Nations: Aims, Principal Organs, ICJ and Agencies (ICSE Class 8 Civics)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The United Nations works to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations, promote international cooperation and human rights, and harmonise national actions. It has six principal organs: General Assembly (193 members), Security Council (15 members; five permanent with veto), ECOSOC, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice (15 judges, The Hague) and the Secretariat. UNESCO, UNICEF and WHO are agencies for education and culture, children and health.

Understand The United Nations: Aims, Organs, ICJ and Agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO)

1. Aims (Article 1 of the Charter). (1) Maintain international peace and security by collective measures and peaceful settlement of disputes. (2) Develop friendly relations among nations based on equal rights and self-determination of peoples. (3) Achieve international cooperation in economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems and promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction of race, sex, language or religion. (4) Be a centre for harmonising the actions of nations.

2. Principles (Article 2). Sovereign equality of all members; fulfil Charter obligations in good faith; settle disputes peacefully; refrain from the threat or use of force against territorial integrity or political independence; assist the UN and not help a state against which it acts; ensure non-members follow these principles as necessary for peace; no intervention in matters essentially within domestic jurisdiction (except enforcement measures).

3. Six principal organs (brief). General Assembly; Security Council; Economic and Social Council (54 members elected by the General Assembly, coordinates economic, social and humanitarian work and specialised agencies); Trusteeship Council (supervised trust territories; suspended operations in 1994 with the independence of Palau); International Court of Justice; Secretariat (headed by the Secretary-General, the chief administrative officer, appointed by the General Assembly on the Security Council's recommendation). Five organs are at UN Headquarters, New York; the ICJ is at The Hague.

4. General Assembly. All members (193 at present), each with up to five representatives but one vote. Important questions (peace and security recommendations, admission of members, election of non-permanent Security Council members, budget) need a two-thirds majority of members present and voting; others a simple majority. Regular session every year from September; a President is elected for each session. Functions: deliberative (the 'world parliament'); financial (approves the budget and members' contributions); electoral (ten non-permanent Security Council members, ECOSOC members, ICJ judges with the Council); admits members and appoints the Secretary-General on the Council's recommendation; supervisory; recommendations on peace when the Council cannot act; Charter amendments (two-thirds of the Assembly and ratification by two-thirds of members including all permanent members).

5. Security Council. 15 members: five permanent (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States) and ten non-permanent elected by the Assembly for two years (five each year; no immediate re-election; regional distribution; India has served several times). Presidency rotates monthly. Voting: procedural matters need nine votes; substantive matters need nine votes including all five permanent members; a negative vote by a permanent member is the veto (by practice, abstention is not a veto). Functions: primary responsibility for peace and security; investigates disputes; decides threats to peace and aggression; calls for sanctions (Article 41) and can authorise military action (Article 42); sets up peacekeeping; recommends admission and the Secretary-General; elects ICJ judges with the Assembly.

6. International Court of Justice (in detail). Seat: Peace Palace, The Hague. 15 judges elected by the Assembly and Council voting separately (absolute majority in both); no two of the same nationality; nine-year terms, re-election possible; one-third elected every three years; the President and Vice-President are elected for three years. Functions: contentious cases between states (only states may be parties) under international law; advisory opinions on legal questions from authorised organs and agencies. Judgments are final and binding, without appeal; if a party does not comply the other may approach the Security Council.

7. Agencies (functions only). UNESCO (Paris): education for all and literacy; cooperation in science and free flow of ideas; protects heritage through the World Heritage list; builds peace through education, science, culture and communication. UNICEF (New York): health and nutrition of children and mothers, immunisation; clean water, sanitation and education, especially for girls; protection from violence, exploitation and abuse; emergency relief. WHO (Geneva): directs international health work; helps fight malaria, tuberculosis and polio; led the smallpox eradication campaign (declared in 1980); sets health standards and promotes research; responds to epidemics.

The United Nations: Aims, Organs, ICJ and Agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO): key facts

General Assembly
  • All 193 members
  • One vote each
  • Two-thirds for important questions
  • Session from September
Security Council
  • 15 members
  • 5 permanent: China, France, Russia, UK, USA
  • 10 non-permanent for 2 years
  • Veto
ICJ
  • 15 judges
  • 9-year term
  • Seat: The Hague
  • One-third elected every 3 years
  • Judgments final
Agencies
UNESCOParis
UNICEFNew York
WHOGeneva

How to answer The United Nations: Aims, Organs, ICJ and Agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO) questions

For aims and principles, number them as in Articles 1 and 2.

  1. 1For the organs, state composition, voting and functions.
  2. 2Use the ICJ in detail: seat, judges, term, functions, binding nature.
  3. 3For agencies state the expansion, seat and three functions.
  4. 4Keep other organs brief as the syllabus says.

The United Nations: Aims, Organs, ICJ and Agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO) in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

A vote in the Council

Suppose a resolution gets 12 votes in favour in the Security Council but one permanent member votes against it.

Will the resolution pass on a substantive matter? Why?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Nine votes are needed, so 12 votes in favour is enough in number.
  2. But a substantive decision needs the concurring votes of all five permanent members.
  3. The negative vote of one permanent member is a veto, so the resolution fails.

Answer: It fails because of the veto of a permanent member.

Memory hook: Nine yes, five permanent agree.

Tricks to remember The United Nations: Aims, Organs, ICJ and Agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO)

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • 6 organs, 5 in New York

    Only the ICJ is in The Hague.

    Use it when: Organs.

  • 5 permanent: CFRUU

    China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States.

    Use it when: Security Council.

  • UNESCO Paris, UNICEF New York, WHO Geneva

    Headquarters of the agencies.

    Use it when: Agencies.

The United Nations: Aims, Organs, ICJ and Agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO): solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Aims · 4 marks · Short answerBoard level

State four aims of the United Nations.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. To maintain international peace and security.
  2. To develop friendly relations among nations.
  3. To achieve cooperation in economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems and promote human rights.
  4. To be a centre for harmonising the actions of nations.

Answer: Peace and security, friendly relations, cooperation and human rights, harmonising actions.

Example 2: Security Council · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Name the five permanent members of the Security Council. What is the veto?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
  2. The veto is the negative vote of a permanent member, which blocks a substantive decision.

Answer: Five permanent members; veto blocks substantive decisions.

Example 3: General Assembly · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Describe the composition and voting in the General Assembly. List three functions.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. All members (193) are represented, each with one vote.
  2. Important questions need a two-thirds majority of members present and voting; others a simple majority.
  3. Functions: deliberative (discusses and recommends), financial (approves the budget), electoral (elects non-permanent Council members and ICJ judges with the Council).

Answer: All members, one vote each; two-thirds for important questions; deliberative, financial, electoral.

Example 4: ICJ · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Describe the composition and functions of the International Court of Justice.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and Security Council voting separately; no two of the same nationality; nine-year terms; one-third elected every three years.
  2. Functions: settles legal disputes between states (contentious cases) and gives advisory opinions.
  3. Its judgments are final and binding without appeal.

Answer: 15 judges, nine years; disputes between states and advisory opinions; final judgments.

Example 5: Agencies in action · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Which UN agency would be most concerned in each case and why? (a) an outbreak of polio (b) a campaign to save an ancient monument (c) a famine camp with many children.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (a) WHO: it coordinates international health work and helps fight diseases such as polio.
  2. (b) UNESCO: it protects cultural and natural heritage through the World Heritage list.
  3. (c) UNICEF: it provides emergency relief to children and works for child health and nutrition.

Answer: (a) WHO (b) UNESCO (c) UNICEF.

Where students lose marks in The United Nations: Aims, Organs, ICJ and Agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO)

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Giving ICJ as located in New York

    The seat is wrong.

    Do this: The ICJ is at The Hague; other main organs in New York.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Confusing UNESCO and UNICEF

    Functions mixed.

    Do this: UNESCO: education, science, culture; UNICEF: children and mothers.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Writing "veto" for abstention

    Misreading Article 27.

    Do this: A negative vote is a veto; abstention is not treated as a veto.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Detailing every organ

    The syllabus asks for organs in brief and ICJ in detail.

    Do this: One line each for ECOSOC, Trusteeship Council and Secretariat.

    Usually costs: Time.

Exam tips

  • Number the aims and principles with Article references.
  • Use a table for GA and SC.
  • Give the ICJ full detail.
  • Agencies: functions only, with HQ cities.

Practice questions on The United Nations: Aims, Organs, ICJ and Agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO)

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    How many judges does the ICJ have?
    (a) 9
    (b) 12
    (c) 15
    (d) 193

    Hint

    Nine-year terms.

    Answer

    (c) 15.

  2. Q2 · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level

    Where is the International Court of Justice located?

    Hint

    Netherlands.

    Answer

    The Peace Palace, The Hague.

  3. Q3 · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level

    Who appoints the Secretary-General of the UN?

    Hint

    On recommendation.

    Answer

    The General Assembly, on the recommendation of the Security Council.

  4. Q4 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    State two functions of UNESCO and two of UNICEF.

    Hint

    Education and children.

    Answer

    UNESCO: promotes education for all and literacy; protects cultural and natural heritage through the World Heritage list. UNICEF: works for the health and nutrition of children and mothers, including immunisation; supports clean water, sanitation and education, especially for girls.

  5. Q5 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

    Assertion (A): A single negative vote by a permanent member can block a substantive decision of the Security Council.
    Reason (R): Substantive decisions need nine votes including the concurring votes of all five permanent members.
    (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
    (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
    (c) A is true but R is false.
    (d) A is false but R is true.

    Hint

    Veto rule.

    Answer

    (a).

  6. Q6 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Compare the General Assembly and the Security Council on membership, voting and main role.

    Hint

    Parliament against executive.

    Answer

    General Assembly: all 193 members, one vote each, two-thirds for important questions, deliberative body often called the world parliament. Security Council: 15 members (five permanent with veto and ten non-permanent), nine votes needed (with permanent members for substantive matters), primary responsibility for peace and security.

  7. Q7 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

    Why can the Security Council act more quickly than the General Assembly in a crisis, and what is a limitation of its structure?

    Hint

    Small body; veto.

    Answer

    It has only 15 members with primary responsibility for peace and security, so it can decide and act quickly, including sanctions and peacekeeping. Its limitation is the veto: one permanent member can block a decision, which may leave a crisis unresolved.

  8. Q8 · 3 marks · Source-basedHOTS / competency

    Source-based. A newspaper report says: "Two states placed their border dispute before the highest judicial organ of the UN, which sits at The Hague, and accepted that its decision would be final." (i) Name the organ. (ii) Why can individuals not be parties? (iii) What may a state do if the other fails to obey?

    Hint

    Contentious cases.

    Answer

    (i) The International Court of Justice. (ii) Only states can be parties in contentious cases. (iii) The other state may approach the Security Council.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Number of UN members?Show answer

    193.

  2. 2.Veto belongs to?Show answer

    The five permanent members of the Security Council.

  3. 3.ICJ judges' term?Show answer

    Nine years.

  4. 4.WHO headquarters?Show answer

    Geneva.

  5. 5.Which agency is concerned with education and heritage?Show answer

    UNESCO (Paris).

The United Nations: Aims, Organs, ICJ and Agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO): frequently asked questions

What is the Trusteeship Council?

The organ that supervised trust territories; it suspended operations in 1994.

How many votes does the Council need?

Nine for any decision; substantive ones need all five permanent members.

Who can bring cases before the ICJ?

Only states can be parties; other organs and agencies can seek advisory opinions.

What did WHO achieve with smallpox?

It led the campaign that eradicated smallpox, declared in 1980.