Explainer- United Nations and Decolonization: Past to Present

Summary

The United Nations has been actively involved in the decolonization process since its inception. While significant progress has been made, 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs) still remain. The UN, along with the Special Committee on Decolonization or C-24, continues to work towards the eradication of colonialism through various means, including holding regional seminars and dispatching visiting missions. The efforts are aimed at promoting self-government and addressing the unique challenges faced by these territories, such as environmental threats and economic dependencies.

Highlights

• The UN has played a pivotal role in global decolonization since 1945! 📜
• C-24, originally 24 members strong, continues to monitor Non-Self-Governing Territories! 👥
• Resolutions like 1514 paved the way for territories to pursue self-government! 📜
• Biennial regional seminars and annual sessions held by C-24 assist in decolonization! 📅
• Environmental issues, such as sea level rise, pose additional challenges for NSGTs! 🌿
• Visiting missions provide firsthand insights and enhance UN efforts in NSGTs! ✈️

Key Takeaways

• The UN has been championing decolonization since its founding! 🌍
• Decolonization remains crucial, with 17 territories still not fully self-governing! 🏝️
• C-24 is key in supporting these territories through seminars and visiting missions! 🧐
• Environmental challenges like sea level rise add complexity to decolonization efforts! 🌊
• The UN's commitment is unwavering: colonialism must end completely! ✊

Overview

Since its inception, the United Nations has been a driving force in the global efforts to decolonize territories worldwide. Post World War II, numerous Non-Self-Governing Territories were identified, with significant reductions over the decades. However, as of 2020, 17 such territories remain, mainly islands in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. The UN, through its Special Committee C-24, undertakes initiatives to facilitate the transition of these territories towards full self-governance.💼

The C-24, also known as the Special Committee on Decolonization, actively participates in observing the conditions of Non-Self-Governing Territories, promoting well-being, and aiding in self-governance efforts. This committee organizes regional seminars and substantive sessions to deliberate on strategies for these territories, allowing them to achieve political independence or other forms of self-determined status. Additionally, it executes visiting missions which gather critical input from the territories.👥

Despite progress, the journey towards the eradication of colonialism is not without its challenges. Geography-induced surroundings, such as islands' susceptibility to climate change impacts, including sea level rise and natural disasters, add layers of complexity. Nonetheless, the unwavering resolve and cooperative framework of the United Nations aim to overcome these obstacles. Through perseverance and global cooperation, the UN remains committed to ending colonialism and supporting territories in actualizing their right to self-determination.🌊

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction and Historical Background The chapter 'Introduction and Historical Background' discusses the justifications used by colonial powers and their supporters for colonialism, citing humanitarian, economic, social, and cultural reasons. It highlights that the colonial system was forced upon diverse peoples of various races and religions. The chapter ends with a call to action to eradicate colonialism in all its forms and to embrace a future filled with hope and optimism.
• 00:30 - 01:00: UN's Role in Decolonization The United Nations (UN) has been actively involved in decolonization efforts worldwide since its establishment. This mission remains ongoing with 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs) still existing today. The UN continues to support these territories, emphasizing the importance of collective action from administering powers, the territories themselves, member states, and the UN's Special Committee on Decolonization. At the UN's inception post-World War II, 72 NSGTs and 11 Trust Territories were recognized as being under the control of administering authorities.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Progress in Trust and Non-Self-Governing Territories In 1994, Palau, the last remaining Trust Territory, gained independence. As of 2020, 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs) remain, primarily islands in the Caribbean and Pacific. The United Nations continues its efforts to end colonialism globally.
• 01:30 - 02:00: UN Charter and Responsibilities of Administering Powers The chapter discusses the responsibilities of administering Powers under Chapter XI of the UN Charter, particularly in relation to Non-Self-Governing Territories. It outlines the duties of these Powers to enhance the welfare of the inhabitants, support self-government development, and provide information about their Territories to the UN Secretary-General.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Decolonization Unit and General Assembly's Support The chapter discusses the unwavering support of the General Assembly for decolonization initiatives. Since the 1960s, the Decolonization Unit in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs has consistently prepared annual Working Papers to reinforce this resolve. The General Assembly has passed numerous resolutions aimed at aiding the peoples of various territories in attaining self-determination, taking into account their distinct circumstances.
• 02:30 - 03:00: Resolutions and Self-Governance Paths The chapter titled 'Resolutions and Self-Governance Paths' focuses on Resolution 1514, known as the Declaration on Decolonization. The chapter discusses further resolutions that outline various ways Territories can achieve self-government. These methods include becoming a sovereign and independent State, forming a free association with an independent State, integration into an independent State, or establishing any other political status that is freely determined by the people.
• 03:00 - 03:30: C-24 and Its Functions The Special Committee on Decolonization, known as C-24 due to its initial 24 Member States, is a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly. It focuses on monitoring and making recommendations concerning Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs) and currently organizes regional seminars on decolonization efforts.
• 03:30 - 04:00: C-24 Regional Seminars and Sessions The chapter titled 'C-24 Regional Seminars and Sessions' discusses the activities of the C-24 committee, specifically their meetings and sessions. These are held annually, either in the Pacific or the Caribbean in May, followed by a two-week substantive session in New York in June. These sessions focus on deep examinations of situations in the territories and issues related to decolonization. The meetings serve as a platform for the views of Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs), administering powers, stakeholders, and petitioners to be shared on the process of decolonization. The substantive sessions result in specific recommendations.
• 04:00 - 04:30: Recommendations and Institutional Support The chapter discusses the process through which recommendations are submitted to the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly. The committee reviews these recommendations and creates draft resolutions and decisions to be presented to the General Assembly plenary for final adoption at the end of the year. The chapter also highlights the importance of institutional support from UN entities, specialized agencies, and international organizations related to the UN, specifically for Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs).
• 04:30 - 05:00: Visiting Missions and Their Impact The chapter discusses the role of visiting missions sent by the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the C-24, with the consent of the administering Power, to observe and gather information in Non-Self-Governing Territories. These missions are recognized as a critical tool to enhance the UN’s ability to assist these peoples, highlighting their impact and importance as acknowledged by the General Assembly.
• 05:00 - 06:00: Current Challenges and UN's Commitment The chapter details the United Nations' efforts through the Committee of 24 (C-24) to address current challenges faced by territories. It highlights an example from 2019 when the C-24 responded to Montserrat's request for a visiting mission. The island was still recovering from volcanic eruptions that began in 1995. The mission included meetings with government officials, civil society, and other stakeholders to understand and assist with recovery and development efforts.

Explainer- United Nations and Decolonization: Past to Present Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 Colonial powers and their supporters try to justify in humanitarian, economic, social and cultural terms… This colonial system was imposed by force on many peoples of many races and religions… And we are continuing to try and solve the problems with the methods that are available to us. Join us in our efforts to eradicate colonialism in all its forms and manifestations from the face of the earth. ... can usher in a new era of hope and good optimism ...
• 00:30 - 01:00 Since its founding, the United Nations has been engaged in decolonization processes around the globe, and that work continues today, as 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remain. The United Nations will continue to assist, but all should play their role – the administering Powers, Non-Self-Governing Territories, Member States and the Special Committee on Decolonization. When the UN was formed at the end of World War II, 72 Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs) and 11 Trust Territories were identified as under the control of administering authorities.
• 01:00 - 01:30 In 1994, Palau, the last remaining Trust Territory, gained independence. But as of 2020, 17 NSGTs yet remain. Today, the majority are islands in the Caribbean and Pacific. The United Nations remains steadfast in its efforts to end colonialism around the world.
• 01:30 - 02:00 Let’s take a look at a quick history of the United Nations and decolonization. Chapter XI of the Founding Charter of the UN addresses the issue of Non-Self-Governing Territories directly. It highlights the responsibilities of the administering Powers to promote the well-being of the inhabitants of the Territories and to develop their self-government. It also obliges administering Powers to give information about their Territories to the Secretary-General.
• 02:00 - 02:30 This is reflected in annual Working Papers prepared by the Decolonization Unit in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Beginning in the 1960s, the General Assembly’s resolve to support decolonization strengthened even further. A series of resolutions were passed that sought to assist the peoples of the Territories to achieve self-determination according to their particular circumstances.
• 02:30 - 03:00 The first, Resolution 1514, has come to be known as the Declaration on Decolonization. Further resolutions identified the ways in which peoples of these Territories can achieve self-government. They include becoming a sovereign and independent State, free association with an independent State, integration into an independent State, or the emergence of any other political status freely determined by a people.
• 03:00 - 03:30 The Special Committee on Decolonization is commonly referred to as the C-24 because of its original composition of 24 Member States. As a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly, the C-24 is devoted to monitoring and making recommendations regarding NSGTs. Today, the C-24 holds regional seminars on decolonization
• 03:30 - 04:00 in either the Pacific or Caribbean every May. And for two weeks in June, they hold a substantive session in New York to examine the situations in the Territories in depth, and the issue of decolonization in general. These meetings allow the C-24 to hear views of the NSGTs, the administering Powers, and other stakeholders and petitioners on the decolonization process. The recommendations that come out of the substantive session of the C-24
• 04:00 - 04:30 are submitted to the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly, which in turn considers the recommendations and submits draft resolutions and decisions to the General Assembly plenary for adoption at the end of the year. to the General Assembly plenary for adoption at the end of the year. Additionally, institutional support for NSGTs from UN entities, specialized agencies and international organizations associated with the UN is important and kept under consideration
• 04:30 - 05:00 by the C-24 and the UN Economic and Social Council. With the consent of the administering Power, the C-24 can dispatch a visiting mission to observe conditions on the ground and gather first-hand information. These visiting missions enhance the capacity of the United Nations to assist the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories. Recognized as an important tool, the General Assembly has requested
• 05:00 - 05:30 that the C-24 undertake at least one visiting mission per year. As an example, in 2019 at the Territory’s request, the C-24 sent a visiting mission to Montserrat, still recovering from a devastating series of volcanic eruptions that began in 1995. The visiting mission held meetings with key members of the government, representatives from civil society and other stakeholders.
• 05:30 - 06:00 In this way the C-24 is able to report on the needs of the Territories. When the United Nations was established, 750 million people – nearly one-third of the world’s population at that time – lived in territories that were dependent on colonial Powers. As of 2020, nearly 2 million people continue to live in Non-Self-Governing Territories,
• 06:00 - 06:30 the majority of which are on small islands that face the added challenges of sea level rise and increasingly destructive natural disasters. of sea level rise and increasingly destructive natural disasters. While major strides have taken place, decolonization continues to be a priority for the United Nations. Through determination, perseverance, pragmatism and continued cooperation and coordination, the United Nations is committed to the complete eradication of colonialism once and for all.
• 06:30 - 07:00 the United Nations is committed to the complete eradication of colonialism once and for all.