UNIT ACTIVITY

Question

UNIT ACTIVITY
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD
OBJECTIVES
In this activity, you will
briefly research global problems or issues and the international organizations that deal with these problems
produce clear and coherent writing, keeping in mind the purpose of and audience for the writing
combine visual information (charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with textual information
INTRODUCTION
The United Nations (UN) is an international agency that promotes cooperation between different nations of the world. The UN provides a forum for nations to discuss and work toward solving pressing global issues such as poverty, war, and terrorism. The UN oversees many different specialized agencies that deal with each issue.
In this activity, you’ll briefly review some of the global problems or issues that exist in today’s world. You’ll also look at a list of UN organizations that have been charged with outlining solutions to these problems. Then you’ll choose one of those problems to work on. You’ll imagine that you’re a part of the UN organization that deals with the issue and write a press release about how the problem is being addressed by the appropriate agency or agencies..
SCORING
Your teacher will score this activity using the following scale (unless your teacher provides you with a different scoring scale):
Task 1: Identifying Global Problems
Task Points: 45
Research several global issues and the UN agencies that deal with them.	
45

Task 2: Writing a UN Press Release
Task Points: 35
Create a UN press release using provided guidelines
35

TASK 1: IDENTIFYING GLOBAL PROBLEMS
In this task, you will further explore some of the issues you learned about in the unit. You will also research the UN agencies that work on resolving these issues.
Complete the table with the following information for each global issue:
Write a description of the issue in your own words. These issues were covered in the unit, but you may need to research them for further clarity.
Identify the UN agencies that are involved in resolving each issue. To research the agencies, consult this list of UN agencies. Keep in mind that more than one UN agency may be assigned to deal with some problems.
The issue of population is addressed in the first row of the table as an example.
Global Issue
Description
UN Agency
population
As the population grows, it’s harder for some people in the world to get the things they need, such as food, housing, and water. Also, in some places the birthrates are high, but life expectancy is short.
United Nations Development Program
World Food Program
World Health Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization
Millennium Development Goals
United Nations Population Fund
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
global culture and heritage preservation

climate change

health and medicine

human rights

weapons of mass destruction

global trade

energy sources

terrorism and counterterrorism

technological change

TASK 2: WRITING A UN PRESS RELEASE
In this task, you will develop a press release about one of the issues from Task 1. Your release doesn’t need to highlight every agency involved, but make sure that it summarizes the actions being taken by at least two UN agencies working on the issue. Enter your press release in the space provided below. 
Your press release should include the following pieces of information:
a short explanation of the issue, including why it’s important and how it came about
at least two visuals that are relevant to or describe the problem (an image, a chart, or a graph)
a short explanation of the activities being undertaken by at least two UN agencies that have been assigned to resolve the issue
a conclusion that encourages the Security Council to continue supporting the work of the agencies
Keep these suggestions in mind as you write your press release:
Keep your press release short and to the point. It should call attention to any event or information that the individual or organization thinks is important.
Include the date of the release in the upper-left corner. For example, “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: month, day, and year.”
Give your press release an attention-grabbing title. For example, you may write, “UN Calls for International Cooperation in Combatting Global Terrorism.” Write a headline that makes your audience curious to know more about the issue you chose.
Write a first sentence that makes people want to keep reading.
The first paragraph of your press release should cover the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the event or subject you’re trying to promote. Make sure that you use active verbs. That will help you direct the attention of your audience to your subject. Your subject should be clear and stand out to your audience.
Start with the main facts. Add the details as you go along.
Write in the third person, and include a fictitious quotation from a UN staff member.
Limit your release to 300 to 450 words.
Proofread everything and make sure your release is well organized and concise.
Look at this example of a UN Press Release for further guidance.
Enter your Task 2 Press Release here:

GPT-4o mini · Answer

### TASK 1: IDENTIFYING GLOBAL PROBLEMS | Global Issue | Description | UN Agency | |-----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Global Culture and Heritage Preservation | The loss of cultural identity due to globalization, urbanization, and conflict threatens the rich diversity of cultures around the world. This issue involves protecting languages, traditions, and heritage sites. | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) | | Climate Change | Climate change refers to significant shifts in global weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities, including burning fossil fuels and deforestation. It results in severe weather, rising sea levels, and biodiversity loss. | United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) | | Health and Medicine | Access to healthcare remains inequitable across the globe, with many people lacking essential medical services. Challenges like pandemics, infectious diseases, and rising non-communicable diseases threaten global health. | World Health Organization (WHO)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
World Food Program (WFP) | | Human Rights | Violations of human rights continue in many parts of the world, impacting civil liberties and basic rights. Issues include discrimination, violence, forced migration, and suppression of free speech. | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
United Nations Human Rights Council | | Weapons of Mass Destruction | The proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons poses an ongoing threat to global security and peace. Efforts to limit their spread and ensure disarmament are crucial for a stable world. | United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) | | Global Trade | Trade barriers and disputes can lead to economic instability and inequality. Enhancing trade relations and ensuring fair practices is vital for global economic growth and development. | United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
World Trade Organization (WTO) | | Energy Sources | The transition to sustainable and renewable energy sources is essential to combat climate change and ensure reliable energy access for all. Fossil fuel dependency poses environmental dangers. | International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) | | Terrorism and Counterterrorism | The global rise of terrorism poses a severe threat to international security. Cooperative international efforts are required to deter terrorism while upholding human rights. | United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) | | Technological Change | Rapid technological advancements present challenges and opportunities. Issues like cybersecurity, digital privacy, and the impact of automation on employment need to be addressed. | International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) | ### TASK 2: WRITING A UN PRESS RELEASE --- **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2023** **“UN Urges Global Action to Combat Climate Change and Secure a Sustainable Future”** **New York, NY** — As the effects of climate change increasingly threaten our planet, the United Nations calls on member states to accelerate their commitments to combat this existential crisis. Irrefutable evidence points to rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity as key indicators underscoring the urgency of a coordinated international response. Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global issues of our time, fueled by human activities such as deforestation and the high reliance on fossil fuels. The implications of inaction are dire, affecting food security, water resources, and human livelihoods, especially for vulnerable populations across the globe. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is at the forefront of international negotiations to mitigate climate change impacts and facilitate adaptation strategies. Since the Paris Agreement, nations have pledged to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, striving for a more sustainable future. Additionally, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) plays a vital role in promoting sustainable development through sound environmental practices. UNEP recently launched the “UN Climate Change Adaptation Program,” which aims to bolster resilience in communities most susceptible to climate impacts. "Global solidarity is our most potent weapon against climate change,” says UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. "Together, we can forge a path toward a sustainable future for all." As we face unprecedented climate challenges, it is critical that the Security Council and member states reinforce their support for the UN agencies involved. Continued investment in climate action is essential to protect our planet for future generations. Immediate measures, international cooperation, and political will are paramount to catalyzing the change we urgently need. **###END###** --- (Include visuals such as a chart showing rising global temperatures and a graph demonstrating the impact of climate policies on emissions reduction.)