Evening star., 1945-07-09
General Assembly nnd
Economic and SociuI Council

Economic and Social Council
Just as the existing distribution
among nations of the power to
maintain peace is recognized in the
provisions for the Security Council,
so the principle of the sovereign
equality of all member states is
recognized in the provisions for the
General Assembly. In the General
Assembly every member nation,
large or small, has one vote.
1t is the function Of the General
Assembly to develop in practice
those friendly relations among ma
tions based on respect for the prin-
ciple of equal rights and self-deter-
mination of peoples, which Is de-
clared as one of the objectives of
the United Nations.
The General Assembly may dis
cuss and make recommendations
either to the Security Council or to
the members on any matters within
the scope of the Charter. 1t may call
to the attention of the Council any
situations likely to endanger the
peace and make recommendations
on any questions relating to peace
and security not being dealt with
by the Council. 1t will receive and
consider annual and special reports
from the Security Council, the Eco
nomic and Social Council, the Trus-
teeship Council and the secretary
general.
Power to Offer Measures.
The General Assembly has the
further power to recommend meas
ures for the peaceful adjustment of
any situations regardless of origin
likely to impair the general welfare,
including situations resulting from
violation of the purposes and prin-
ciples of the organization. This is
one of the most important provisions
in the Charter for peaceful change
and for the correction of injustices
present or future
Because the United Nations is an
organization of sovereign states, the
General Assembly does not have
legislative power. 1t can recon-
mend, but it cannot impose it's rec
concentrations upon the member
states. 1t has, however, virtually
all the other powers of a free de-
liberate body. Senator Vandenberg
has justly characterized it as the
town meeting of the world. It's au-
thority is sufficient to make it ef-
fective as the keeper of the worlds
conscience and as the watchman
over the international behavior of
every member of the United Ma
tionS and over the other agencies of
the organization.
One of the principal purposes of
the United Nations is the removal
of the economic and social causes
of International conflict and war.
Responsibility for discharging the
functions of the organization in this
connection is vested by the Charter
in the General Assembly and, under
the Assemblys authority, in the
economic and social council.
Social Purposes Outlined.
In its chapters on economic and
social cooperation, the Charter
spells out in more detail the eco
nomic and social purposes of the
United Nations. These include the
promotion of higher standards of
living, full employment, and con-
ditions of economic and social prog
ress and development; solutions of
international conomic, social,
health and related problems, and
international cultural and educa-
tiQnal cooperation. The Economic
and Social Council is also charged,
under the General Assembly's au-
thority, with the principal response
bility for promoting universal re-
spect for and observance of human
rights and fundamental freedoms
for all without distinction as to race,
sex, language or religion.
The Economic and Social Council
will consist of Is members elected
by the General Assembly.
In the field of its responsibility
the Economic and Social Council