Series 5 - United Nations Records

The United Nations (UN) is a loosely co-ordinated international system of deliberatory bodies, functional agencies, and temporary and permanent commissions with headquarters in New York, Geneva and elsewhere. The UN Charter was drawn up by 50 countries, including Canada, in San Francisco in the spring of 1945. Canadians took part in the founding of the UN and in many of its activities. By 1949, Canada and other nations sent military observers to Kashmir to monitor the border dispute between Pakistan and India. In 1956, Canada played a role in peacekeeping in the Middle East during the Suez Crisis under the influence of the Honourable Lester B. Pearson, the Minister of External Affairs. Pearson received the Nobel Peace prize for his efforts. Since 1956, the number, range and complexity of peacekeeping missions has grown steadily. Preserving international stability and security continues to increase the need for peacekeepers. The UN has many bodies involved in maintaining these activities. The Office of the General Secretary is important for policy matters. Field Service and Successory bodies contain important operational files. For more details, see files one and two in this fonds. Although security was the major consideration at the foundation of the UN, economic and social questions now prevail. The increasing membership of developing countries has directed the attention of most UN bodies to programs of aid and development and to devising a "New International Economic Order".