The 4 pillars of the United Nations

The Four Pillars of the UN

The foundation upon which the UN was created is described in the Preamble of the UN Charter:

WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED

1. to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and
2. to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and
3. to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and
4. to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.

The Preamble of the UN Charter describes the four pillars of the UN. These pillars are:

1. Peace and Security
2. Human Rights
3. The Rule of Law
4. Development

These pillars are interconnected. One cannot be fully achieved without achieving all of them.

Peace and Security

As outlined in the Preamble of the UN Charter, the UN was created “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind.” The SC is the main organ responsible for maintaining international peace and security. However, other organs play an important role in making recommendations and assisting in the resolving armed conflicts.

The UN grew out of the ruins of World War II and endured the Cold War*. Today, peace and security are no longer viewed only in terms of the absence of military conflict. The common interests of all people are seen to be affected by various factors. These factors include poverty, hunger, environmental degradation, weak democratic institutions, and human rights violations.

Over the years, the range of tasks assigned to UN peacekeeping operations has expanded significantly in response to shifting patterns of conflict... Depending on their mandate, peacekeeping operations may be required to:

1. Deploy to prevent the outbreak of conflict or the spill over of conflict across borders
2. Stabilize conflict situations after a ceasefire in order to create an environment for parties to reach a lasting peace agreement
3. Assist in implementing comprehensive peace agreements
4. Lead states or territories through a transition to stable government, based on democratic principles, good governance, and economic development

Peacekeeping operations also involve coordinating humanitarian assistance during conflicts. In many conflicts, civilian populations are specifically targeted.

Depending on the specific set of challenges, UN peacekeepers are often mandated to play a role in the following peacebuilding activities:

1. Disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of ex-combatants
2. Mine action
3. Security sector reform and other rule of law-related activities
4. Protection and promotion of human rights
5. Electoral assistance including election monitoring and support
6. Support for the restoration and extension of State authority
7. Promotion of social and economic recovery and development

The troops, police, and civilians who participate in peacekeeping operations are provided and financed by Member States. UN peacekeepers are now deployed around the world in record numbers. These operations employ over 100,000 troops, police, and civilians. These operations affect the lives of hundreds of millions of men, women, and children. UN peacekeepers are often referred to as the “blue helmets” because of the bright blue helmets that they are required to wear. 

Peacebuilding

Peacebuilding refers to assisting countries and regions in transitioning from war to peace. Once fighting has ended, countries often require assistance rebuilding State institutions responsible for maintaining law and order, health, education and other services. Assistance may also include disarming, demobilizing, and reintegrating soldiers; supervising elections; and reintegrating refugees. At the heart of peacebuilding is an attempt to build a new State that can manage disputes peacefully, protect its civilians, and ensure respect for human rights.

Peacebuilding involves coordinating the activities of a wide range of organizations in the UN system, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local citizens groups.

Human Rights

This principle led to the GA’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on 10 December 1948.

The UDHR was a landmark achievement in world history. It marked the first time that the rights and freedoms of individuals were described in such detail. It also represented the first international recognition that human rights and fundamental freedoms apply to every person, everywhere. Today, it continues to affect people’s lives. The UDHR also serves as a model for numerous international treaties and declarations, and has been incorporated in the constitutions and laws of many countries. The UDHR has inspired more than 60 international human rights instruments. It is the best known and most cited human rights document in the world.

Following the historic adoption of the UDHR, the GA called upon all Member States to publicize the text of the UDHR and “to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories.”

The connection between human rights and development, social justice, the rule of law, non-discrimination, gender equality and democracy, just to name a few, is clearly visible throughout the UDHR. First, it acknowledges that the recognition of the inalienable rights of all individuals is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace. Inalienable rights cannot be taken away from anybody by anyone or by the State. Second, it gives economic, social, and cultural rights the same degree of protection as civil and political rights.

The Rule of Law

The rule of law is one of the core concepts at the heart of the Organization’s work and mission. As stated in the UN Charter, the UN aims “to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained.” Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are hence interconnected and cannot exist without one another.

In order to develop and prosper, human beings need security, protection, and the ability to exercise their individual rights. This cannot happen without the rule of law. The rule of law refers to persons and institutions—including the State itself—being accountable to laws that are consistent with international human rights norms and standards.

Many poor countries need assistance in training and employing qualified personnel to manage democratic institutions. These institutions are vital to upholding the rule of law. In addition, good governance requires public participation in the political process. This helps guarantee that governments will be held accountable for their actions. Competitive multiparty elections are essential for empowering the poor and for building lasting peace settlements.

Development

The fourth declared aim of the UN is “to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.” ECOSOC is the organ most associated with achieving this goal. It is responsible for coordinating the development mandates of 14 UN specialized agencies and five regional commissions. In addition, ECOSOC consults with academics, business representatives, and thousands of non-governmental organizations within civil society.

The main components of development are:

1. Living a long and healthy life
2. Being educated
3. Having a decent standard of living
4. Having the freedom to participate in the life of one’s community

All development is ultimately about expanding human potential and human rights. Yet development is more than just raising one’s income. It cannot occur without UN freedom from misery, hunger, illiteracy, and disease. People who live in extreme poverty lack choices. Having a decent standard of living gives us the means to pursue our desires and dreams. Human rights come into play when we acknowledge that everyone should have the same opportunities to develop their abilities to the fullest extent.

Development ceases to move forward when violent conflict erupts, human rights are violated, or the rule of law is disregarded. Just as development can be negatively impacted by conflict, the lack of development can also lead to war.

The strong link between human rights and development has figured prominently in UN discussions. In 1986, the right to development was made explicit in the Declaration on the Right to Development. The Declaration on the Right to Development states that “the right to development is an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized.”

The importance of focusing on development is most visible today in efforts to eradicate extreme poverty, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 SDGs, which are an urgent call for action by all countries—developed and developing—in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth—all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests as well as our democratic institutions.