Unit 9 — International Organizations

The United Nations was established in the 1940s to maintain international peace and security. According to its Charter, member states are supposed to refrain from using force against other member states. This document also calls on countries to settle bilateral disputes by peaceful means. That is to say, international discords should be solved by diplomacy and negotiations. Any violations of this principle can result in severe economic and political sanctions. The UN has a court in The Hague (Holland) whose function is to look into conflicts between countries.

• The UN came into existence on 24 October 1945.
• The League of Nations was formed in 1919.
• The United Nations Charter was signed in San Francisco, USA.
• The headquarters of the UN are based in New York, USA.

The UN aims at resolving international conflicts peacefully. It also aims at saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war. The UN provides assistance to developing countries and encourages sustainable development and self-sufficiency. Furthermore, it is considered a leader in promoting democracy and human rights.

Despite the fact that it doesn't have enforceable legal authority over member states, the UN remains an influential organization. For example, it can recommend that member states impose arms embargoes or wide-ranging sanctions against nations which threaten to disrupt international peace.

To achieve security in the world, populations must be protected from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.

Amnesty International is an independent pressure group. It campaigns for the release of imprisoned or maltreated people because of their political or religious beliefs. The movement was founded in 1961 and has its headquarters in London. Amnesty International has a network of voluntary local groups and individual members throughout the world. To keep its independence from governmental influence, AI is financed by donations and benevolent contributions. AI's activities include campaigns and lobbying for political and religious freedom.

Amnesty International is a non-profit organization.

• to govern: to administer
• to draft: to write
• to set forth: to present
• considerable: thoughtful
• to have a moral force: it is considered right / a good thing; it is not illegal

• immediate: prompt
• non-lucrative: non-profit
• the poor: the needy
• irrespective of: without regard to
• vulnerable: physically or emotionally weak
• as a consequence of: due to

In context: The Moroccan Red Crescent (MRC) is a non-profit, voluntary relief organization. Due to its continuing assistance to the needy and its prompt disaster relief activities, the MRC and the Red Cross have a world-renowned reputation. They serve vulnerable people and those in need without regard to race, religion, class, or political belief.

• to resolve conflicts peacefully
• to save generations from the scourge of war
• to maintain international peace
• to disrupt international peace
• natural disasters
• sustainable development
• to encourage self-sufficiency
• non-profit organization
• highly valued

Playing Malhoun involves remembering hundreds of musical phrases and singing them properly. Unlike poets, novelists, and painters, Malhoun musicians aren't accustomed to working alone. Because of the true nature of Malhoun, for most of them, playing and practising must be done with other musicians. Some Malhoun musicians are skillful at improvising. Singing and using Moroccan dialect is a lot of fun for them.

I greatly enjoyed listening to the last song of the concert. It was certainly worth listening to. However, I admit not liking all of it.

Examples:

• Hamid enjoys fishing and jogging.
• Amina is interested in reading magazines.
• Salim's father can't stand watching Egyptian movies.
• Would you mind opening the window, please?
• I hope you'll enjoy visiting the museum.
• Salah thinks it's not worth wasting time watching some Moroccan football matches.
• A: Let's have a tagine with lamb and prunes. B: I'm fed up with lamb! I suggest having fish and a mixed salad.

• Excluding women from the political scene is a hindrance to women's empowerment. (gerund as subject)
• On my way to work, I usually stop to pick up hitchhikers. (infinitive = purpose)
• I started to read an article about the United Nations. (both gerund and infinitive possible)
• Our English teacher doesn't allow using languages other than English. (gerund after allow)
• My father doesn't allow my little brother to use his laptop. (infinitive after allow + object)
• Halima prefers having couscous on Fridays. (gerund)
  Halima prefers to have couscous on Fridays. (infinitive — both correct)
• Not knowing what to do, I went to look for somebody to help me.
• A: I'm going to see Casa Negra. B: Is it worth seeing?