INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AND GLOBAL GOVERNANCE Dersi The United Nations and Global Governance soru detayı:

CEVAP:

ECOSOC is the principal UN organ responsible for addressing international economic and social programs. Considered the most complex body of the UN system, the council aims to promote the welfare of the individuals, find solutions to global economic, social and health problems, and support human rights (Karns, Mingst, and Stiles, 2015: 129).

The Charter mandates ECOSOC to initiate studies and reports on economic, social, cultural, educational, health, and related topics, and make recommendations regarding such issues to the General Assembly. It can also recommend measures for promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

ECOSOC holds an annual meeting in New York or Geneva to discuss economic and social issues. ECOSOC does not have binding power upon member states, but it plays a coordinating role between specialized agencies and programs. It generates a globally normative and political influence and increases world-wide awareness through high-profile international meetings and sponsoring research on related topics (Hurd, 2014:111). Bennett divides the main functions of ECOSOC into three categories: a) deliberation and recommendations, b) research and reports, c) coordination (1995:71). ECOSOC mainly oversees and coordinates diverse agencies, commissions, committees, funds, and programs within the UN system. In this regard, the first group consists of eight functional commissions, five regional commissions, and other bodies. Because the Commission on Sustainable Development had been abolished in 2012, the number of functional commissions decreased from nine to eight. The first group organs are directly tied to ECOSOC. The second group includes 19 specialized agencies, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Health Organization. These agencies operate independently from ECOSOC. In the third group, there are programs and funds established by the General Assembly such as the UN Development Program (UNDP), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (Aslan and Aslan, 2014:99) These programs and funds submit reports to both the General Assembly and ECOSOC. The latter also has the authority to oversee the implementation of the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Pease, 2012: 271).