Global Diplomacy: the United Nations in the World

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/global-diplomacy-un

Introduction

# Course Review: Global Diplomacy: The United Nations in the World In our increasingly interconnected world, understanding global diplomacy and international organizations has never been more critical. The Coursera course titled **Global Diplomacy: The United Nations in the World** offers an engaging and comprehensive introduction to the United Nations (UN) system, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to expand their knowledge in this vital area. ## Overview This course serves as a broad-ranging primer on the UN, providing a well-researched backdrop into the complexities of the UN family and its historical context. It consists of an introduction to key UN functions through a series of thoughtfully constructed ‘snapshots’ that facilitate an exploration of significant UN themes. Participants will enhance their analytical, communication, and policy-based skills throughout the course, making it suitable for both novices and those with some prior knowledge. ## Syllabus Breakdown ### Introduction The course kicks off with an overview, setting the stage for what learners can expect from the material covered. ### The UN Today: What Is It? In the first week, students get acquainted with the structure of the UN, focusing on its interconnected agencies designed to tackle global challenges. This foundational week is crucial for grasping how the various components of the UN contribute to its overarching mission. ### The Origins of the United Nations The second week dives into the historical background of the UN, exploring its inception against the backdrop of post-World War II geopolitics. The insights provided into the early UN agencies and the influencing powers at the time are enlightening and critical for understanding the organization’s evolution. ### Power in International Politics: The UN Security Council The third week focuses on the UN Security Council, an essential body within the UN. The analysis of its structure and operational dynamics, along with discussions about the five permanent members and the ongoing debates about reform, help paint a picture of power relations in international politics. ### Human Rights in International Politics The fourth week introduces learners to the fundamental human rights documents and declarations that underpin much of the UN's work. The unique perspective on the origins of sex equality and the historical narrative surrounding war crimes provides a critical lens through which to evaluate the UN’s approach to human rights. ### Emergency Help: Responding to Crises In the fifth week, learners explore the UN's humanitarian response capabilities. Understanding the various agencies involved in crisis situations, and their collaborative dynamics, is essential for anyone interested in humanitarian aid and international response strategies. ### Where Next for the UN? [Optional] The final optional week allows participants to reflect on their learning and consider the future of the UN. It encourages students to assess priorities and understand the complexities of organizational politics, offering a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the UN today. ## Recommendation I wholeheartedly recommend **Global Diplomacy: The United Nations in the World** for anyone interested in international relations, global governance, or humanitarian work. The course’s well-structured syllabus, combined with expert insights and multi-faceted discussions, equips learners with deeper knowledge and practical skills. Whether you are a student, a professional in the governmental or non-governmental sector, or simply an individual curious about global affairs, this course will provide you with invaluable understanding and perspective. The interactive format and accessibility of resources also make it an ideal choice for busy professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge without committing to a traditional academic setting. In summary, if you're looking to gain a clearer insight into the UN and its essential roles on the world stage, enrolling in this course is an excellent step forward.

Syllabus

Introduction

An overview of the MOOC

This week will introduce the idea of the United Nations as a system of more-or-less connected agencies that exist to address a wide range of world problems, and provide an overview of how different parts fit together to constitute the modern United Nations system.

This week will provide an overview of the historical circumstances of the beginning of the UN – what early UN agencies were, what were the influential powers and groups at the early negotiations, and what values the UN was founded on, with comparisons to modern-day approaches.

This week will use the UN Security Council as a primer to the issue of relative power in international institutions. After examining the structure and operations of the Council, it will encourage students to examine the fundamental issues that determine its existence, including the status of the five permanent members, its ability to carry out its function, and the prospects for reform.

This week will address the question of human rights at the UN, introducing the basic documents and declarations that underpin much UN activity. It will introduce the wide range of UN declarations on this topic, how they came about, and then examine potential criticisms of modern UN conceptions of human rights- highlighting revolutionary work on the origins and practice of human rights from our research groups. The non-Western origins of sex equality in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of HR changed the understanding of women’s rights to one where they are created by women from the South. In parallel, the war crimes narrative focused on the Nazi leadership is transformed by understanding that there was a UN body including China and India that resulted in convictions of thousands of Nazis and Japanese war criminals. This work features in an HBO Documentary, a Ted Talk on the UN women issue and Netflix and Amazon/Ch4 documentaries featuring the war crimes research.

This week will introduce the family of UN agencies involved in humanitarian work, and begin to unpack their relationships with each other and role in responding to conflict.

In this week, students will have a chance to review and draw together what they have learned over the previous weeks, and develop analysis skills when assessing how different priorities. This exercise will also introduce the issue of practicality and organisational politics to it, giving students an opportunity to consider how the issues they have examined might be affected by the process of implementation.