International organization facts for kids

The offices of the United Nations in Geneva (Switzerland), a city with many international organizations.

An international organization is like a club or team made up of different countries working together. These organizations are created by special agreements called treaties between countries. They have their own rules and goals, and they act like a separate legal person. Think of groups like the United Nations (UN) or the World Health Organization (WHO).

Most international organizations are made up of member countries. But sometimes, other groups like non-governmental organizations can also join. Some countries might even have an "observer status," meaning they can watch and listen without being full members. These organizations help countries cooperate on important global issues.

Some well-known examples include the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).

What are International Organizations?

The idea of "international organization" has been around for a long time. A Scottish law professor named James Lorimer first used the term in 1871. Later, other experts like Pitman B. Potter helped define what these groups are.

International organizations are often called intergovernmental organizations (IGOs). This helps us tell them apart from international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). INGOs are groups like the International Committee of the Red Cross or Médecins Sans Frontières. They work internationally but are not created by governments.

IGOs are always set up by a treaty. This treaty acts like a rulebook, giving the organization its own legal standing. This means the IGO can sign agreements and act on the world stage. IGOs are a key part of international law.

It's important to know that IGOs are different from simple groups of countries, like the G7. These groups don't have a formal founding document. IGOs are also different from just a treaty. Many treaties, like the North American Free Trade Agreement, don't create a separate organization. They just set up rules for countries to follow.

Types and Goals of IGOs

International organizations have many different jobs, members, and ways of working. Their goals are usually written down in their founding agreement. Some IGOs offer a neutral place for countries to talk and solve problems. Others work together on shared interests. These can include keeping peace, improving international relations, protecting the environment, promoting human rights, helping with social development (like education and health care), giving humanitarian aid, or boosting economic development.

Some IGOs work on many different things, like the United Nations. Others have very specific jobs, like INTERPOL (for police cooperation) or the International Telecommunication Union (for communication standards).

Here are some common types:

• Global Organizations: These are usually open to countries worldwide if they meet certain rules. Examples include the United Nations (UN) and its specialized groups like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Other global IGOs not linked to the UN include the International Criminal Court.
• Cultural or Language-Based Organizations: These groups are for members who share a culture, language, or history. Examples are the Commonwealth of Nations (countries with historical ties to the UK) and the Arab League.
• Economic Organizations: These focus on money and trade. Some work to make trade easier, like the World Trade Organization. Others focus on development. Groups like OPEC (for oil-producing countries) are also economic IGOs.
• Educational Organizations: These groups focus on learning and research. EUCLID University and the United Nations University are examples. The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) helps train people.
• Health and Population Organizations: These groups work together on health and population issues. An example is Partners in Population and Development.
• Regional Organizations: These are for countries in a specific part of the world. Examples include the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Regional Organizations

Regional organizations, like the European Union or NATO, have rules about who can join. For example, to join the EU, countries must be in Europe, have a democratic government, and a capitalist economy.

The oldest regional organization is the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine. It was created in 1815 after the Congress of Vienna.

Why Countries Join or Don't Join

Countries choose to join international organizations for different reasons. But sometimes, they might decide not to join.

Reasons for joining:

• Economic Benefits: Joining groups like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) can help a country's economy. For example, Mexican companies got better access to U.S. markets. Richer countries or groups like the European Union can also offer money to IGOs, making them more attractive to developing countries.
• Political Power: Smaller countries, like Portugal or Belgium, gain more influence on the world stage by joining IGOs like the European Union. Even bigger countries like France and Germany benefit by increasing their influence in smaller countries.
• Security: Being part of an IGO like NATO can make a country safer. It also provides a place to solve political disagreements peacefully.
• Democracy: Studies show that countries that are members of IGOs tend to be more democratic, and their democracies last longer.

Reasons for not joining:

• Loss of Control: When a country joins an IGO, it often agrees to follow certain rules. This can mean giving up some of its own power or sovereignty.
• Not Enough Benefits: Sometimes, a country might feel that the benefits of joining an organization are not worth the effort or the changes they would have to make.
• Other Options: A country might find that working directly with another country or a different organization offers better solutions for its needs.

Special Rules for IGOs

International organizations have special rules and protections. These are meant to help them do their work independently and effectively. These rules are usually written in the treaties that create the organization. For example, the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations gives the UN special protections.

These organizations are often protected from being sued in national courts. This means they have a special kind of legal protection. Instead, they usually have their own internal ways to handle disagreements or complaints. For instance, if an employee has a problem, they might go to a special tribunal within the organization.

The idea is that these special rules help IGOs work without interference. However, some people argue that these rules can make it hard to hold organizations accountable, especially when it comes to human rights. For example, an international organization usually doesn't pay taxes and has special rules about legal cases.

United Nations Agencies

The United Nations (UN) is a very important international organization. It focuses on five main areas: keeping peace and security, protecting human rights, giving humanitarian aid, supporting sustainable development, and upholding international law.

Many UN agencies, like the UN Relief and Works Agency, are considered international organizations themselves. The UN also has "Specialized Agencies." These are groups within the United Nations System that have their own member countries and are run independently. Some of these, like the International Telecommunication Union, existed even before the UN was created. Others, like the World Health Organization (WHO), were formed after the UN.

UN agencies have many different jobs. They provide help to low-income countries and middle-income countries for development projects. For example, the International Labour Organization (ILO), a UN agency, works to end discrimination in the workplace and child labor. It also promotes safe working conditions for people. Another agency, the UNHCR, helps protect refugees.

History of IGOs

One of the earliest examples of countries working together internationally was the Congress of Vienna in 1814–1815. This was a meeting where European leaders decided how to reorganize Europe after the wars with Napoleon.

The very first international organization created by a treaty, with a permanent office and members from around the world, was the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), founded in 1865.

The first general international organization that dealt with many different issues was the League of Nations. It was started on January 10, 1920, after World War I, with the main goal of keeping world peace. The United Nations followed this idea after World War II. The UN was officially created on October 24, 1945.

Today, the UN is the main IGO. It has different parts like the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Other IGOs include regional groups like the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU).

Growth of IGOs

The number of international organizations has grown a lot over time. In 1949, there were fewer than 100 IGOs, but by 2000, there were about 350! This growth is linked to globalization, which means countries are more connected and cooperate more.

This cooperation happens in many ways:

• Economically: IGOs help countries get resources and improve their economies.
• Politically: They bring more stability within countries and between different countries.
• Militarily: Military alliances, like NATO, help members stay safe from outside threats.
• Domestically: IGOs can even encourage countries to become more democratic.

See also

In Spanish: Organización internacional para niños