Global Citizenship & UN Grade 5 UN System General Assembly Security Council ICJ

Study Guide: The UN System – General Assembly, Security Council, ICJ
Grade 5 | Global Citizenship

1. The Driving Question

If every country in the world has its own rules, how do we stop fights between them—or even agree on things like climate change or war? Who gets to decide what’s fair when countries disagree, and why should anyone listen?

2. The Core Idea – Built, Not Listed

Imagine your school’s student council—but for the whole planet. The United Nations (UN) is like that council, where 193 countries send representatives to a giant meeting hall in New York City to talk (and sometimes argue) about big problems. But not all parts of the UN work the same way. Think of it like three different teams in a school:

• The General Assembly is the whole school assembly: every country gets one vote, no matter how big or small, and they debate topics like poverty or education. It’s loud, crowded, and everyone has a say—but it can’t force anyone to do anything. (Like when your class votes on a field trip but the principal still has to approve it.)
• The Security Council is the principal’s office: only 15 countries get a seat (5 permanent ones with special powers, like the U.S. or China), and they’re the only ones who can say, “Stop fighting, or else.” They can send peacekeepers or impose sanctions—but the permanent members can veto (block) any decision, which can make things messy. (Like if the principal lets one teacher overrule everyone else.)
• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the school’s judge: when two countries have a legal fight (like over a border or a treaty), they bring it here to The Hague, Netherlands. The court listens to both sides and gives a ruling—but it can’t arrest anyone or make countries obey. (Like when the school judge says, “You broke the rule,” but can’t make the kid apologize.)

Key Vocabulary:
- Sovereignty: A country’s right to make its own rules without outside interference.
Example: When Canada says, “We’ll decide our own climate laws,” that’s sovereignty—not the U.S. or UN telling them what to do.
- Veto: The power to block a decision, even if everyone else agrees.
Example: If your sibling vetoes your plan to split dessert 50/50, they can say “no” and get the whole cookie.
- Resolution: A formal decision or recommendation passed by the UN.
Example: A resolution might say, “All countries should stop testing nuclear weapons,” but it’s not a law—just a strong suggestion.
- Peacekeepers: UN soldiers (from different countries) sent to protect civilians in conflict zones.
Example: Blue-helmeted peacekeepers in South Sudan help deliver food and medicine where fighting is happening.

3. Assessment Translation (Grade 5: Classroom Formative Work)

How this appears in class:
- Exit tickets: “Explain one way the General Assembly and Security Council are different. Use an example.” - Short constructed response: “Why might a country ignore a ruling from the ICJ? Give one reason.” - Show-your-work problems: “If Country A and Country B disagree over an island, which UN body should they go to? Explain your choice.”

Proficient vs. Developing Responses:
| Proficient | Developing | |----------------|----------------| | “The Security Council can send peacekeepers, but the General Assembly can’t. For example, the Security Council sent troops to Congo to protect people from rebels.” | “The Security Council is more important than the General Assembly.” (Missing comparison and example.) | | “A country might ignore the ICJ because the court can’t enforce its rulings. Like when Russia ignored the ICJ’s order to stop invading Ukraine.” | “The ICJ is weak.” (No explanation or example.) |

Model Proficient Response (Short Answer):
Prompt: “What is one problem with the Security Council’s veto power? Use an example.” Response: “The veto power can stop the UN from acting even when most countries agree. For example, Russia has vetoed resolutions to stop the war in Syria, so the UN couldn’t do much to help.”

4. Mistake Taxonomy

Mistake 1: Mixing up the General Assembly and Security Council
- Prompt: “Which UN body can send peacekeepers to a war zone?” - Common wrong answer: “The General Assembly.” - Why it loses credit: The General Assembly debates but can’t take action like sending troops. The Security Council is the only body with that power.
- Correct approach: “The Security Council can authorize peacekeepers. The General Assembly can only make recommendations.”

Mistake 2: Assuming the ICJ can punish countries
- Prompt: “What happens if a country loses a case at the ICJ?” - Common wrong answer: “They get arrested” or “They have to pay a fine.” - Why it loses credit: The ICJ has no police or jail—it can only issue rulings. Countries might ignore them (like the U.S. did when the ICJ ruled against its actions in Nicaragua).
- Correct approach: “The ICJ gives a legal ruling, but it’s up to countries to follow it. If they don’t, other countries might impose sanctions or shame them.”

Mistake 3: Forgetting the permanent members of the Security Council
- Prompt: “Name two countries that have veto power in the Security Council.” - Common wrong answer: “Germany and Japan” or “Canada and Brazil.” - Why it loses credit: Only the 5 permanent members (U.S., UK, France, China, Russia) have veto power. Other countries rotate in but can’t veto.
- Correct approach: “The U.S. and China are permanent members with veto power. Germany is not.”

5. Connection Layer

• Within Global Citizenship → Human Rights: The General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—understanding how the UN works helps you see why these rights exist (and why some countries ignore them).
• Across Subjects → Math (Voting Systems): The Security Council’s veto power is like a weighted vote—where 5 countries have more power than 188 others. This connects to how voting systems can be fair or unfair in math.
• Outside School → News Headlines: When you hear “The UN Security Council met today,” you’ll know why it matters if Russia vetoes something—or why the U.S. might ignore the ICJ. (Like when the U.S. pulled out of the ICJ’s jurisdiction over Iran sanctions.)

6. The Stretch Question

If the UN were created today, should the Security Council still have 5 permanent members with veto power—or should it change? What would you replace it with?

Pointer toward the answer:
The current system was set up after World War II, when the winners (U.S., UK, France, China, USSR) wanted to keep power. But today, countries like India, Brazil, or Germany argue they should have a permanent seat too. Some propose: - Rotating vetoes: Let different countries veto for a set time.
- No vetoes: Make all decisions by majority vote.
- Regional seats: Give veto power to groups of countries (e.g., one for Africa, one for Latin America).
The problem? The permanent members like their power and would never agree to give it up—so any change would require them to vote against their own interests. (Like asking the school principal to vote to give up their power!)