What the Heck is the UN? 

prosecuting war crimes isn't actually done (usually at least) by the ICJ! rather it is done by the International Criminal Court, which isn't a part of the UN. it's also located in the Hague though, so I understand the confusion.

"John I'll see you on Tuesday" lol Hank got so excited about the UN that he forgot it was Pizzamas

We are in the MIDDLE of the story! That is so important. The story isn’t behind us as completed history, and we don’t need to throw everything away to start a new story. We are in the midst

Don't worry if you find the UN confusing, I studied it for my university degree and was in Model UN and still, years later, do not understand all the inner workings of its sprawling bureacracy. This of course is made more confusing by how different the UN is from what people expect it to be, and how far it has moved away and expanded from its original purpose for forming.

PSA: If you have an even somewhat technical background, it is not as hard to do a UN internship as you might think! Many roles in engineering and data science go unfilled because mostly poly-sci majors apply. Current and recent grads encouraged to apply.

My dad worked at the UN before i was born and he still talks about how good their food court is.

This Pizzamas is extra fun since there isn't the hard set 4 minute video rule, so it's like we're getting an even longer Pizzamas

This video is so good that it's easy to forget that hank has a mustache.

honestly having a chapter on the UN in my 6th grade history class was great and has proven so useful over the years. probably the most useful thing i learnt from middle school

Hank, since you're someone who 'knows things' for your job, I really appreciate you being able to say "I didn't actually know this!". You're such a good role model and we need a lot more of those in the world.

I have no idea what my life would he had I not found this channel over a decade ago. A world without nerdfighteria is not a world I want to live in.

The name of The Hague gets a lot weirder. For one I just want to clarify that "The Netherlands" is not really called "The Netherlands" in Dutch but rather just "Nederland" (Although if you wanna get weirder it technically is a part of The Kingdom of the Netherlands which in Dutch is "Het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden" where Nederlanden is in fact plural). So The Hague in Dutch is called Den Haag which you may find weird if you know a little bit of Dutch because "Den" is not actually a real translation of "The" but (as I understand it) it is a remnant of what used to be a valid word for "The". It gets weirder because Den Haag is still not officially the name of the city but it is just what people generally call it (and as of the 90s the municipal government itself generally does too), but the official name is 's-Gravenhage. Also: when you mention The Hague outside of the Netherlands, as in this video, people generally think you're referring to the international court of justice but if you're talking about Den Haag within the Netherlands people will often assume you're talking about the national government of the Netherlands which is for some reason entirely housed within Den Haag rather than Amsterdam despite Amsterdam being our official capital.

UNESCO does a lot more than just the world heritage sites. They're the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. They facilitate international cooperation in research and education, and on the cultural side they don't just do world heritage sites, they enshrine all unique aspects of human culture that are important to a lot of people. So, for example, the ancient practice of falconry is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list and gets the same sort of weight as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The United Nations Security Council also shares an acronym with the main fighting force of the Halo Games (UNSC) which has caused on several occasions various media organizations to show the games logo instead of the actual UN logo.

The Hague, or Den Haag in dutch, really just means the forest, and the name or variants of it have been used for well over 500 years. Officially it is still called 's-Gravenhage, meaning The Count's forest. Another place with a similar naming convention is 's-Hertogenbosch, which means The Duke's forest. Lots of rich people owning forests back in the dutch olden days

My first introduction to the UN was The Rescuers Down Under (or possibly The Rescuers, they blend together in my brain), so when I saw Johns video yesterday, I was like, "The countries have name tags, just like in the movie!"

wait, the UN being in New York isn't common knowledge? As a European, that feels like an important part of the New York mythos

Daily reminder that the US passed what is colloquially referred to as the "Hague Invasion Act" which allows the US to use "all means necessary and appropriate to bring about the release of any U.S. or allied personnel being detained or imprisoned by, on behalf of, or at the request of the International Criminal Court".

My personal favorite part of the UN have always been UNICEF, who's main office is also in New Work, which is HILARIOUS, considering the fact that they do not ratify the Children's Rights, despite the fact they have signed the contract..

It’s so funny how in English people don’t refer to organisations as organs. It’s just so common in Portuguese

Loved this. Just picked my teens up from school and had a "You know how smart Hank is? I think you guys might already know stuff he just learned- Quiz". Fantastic drive home conversation. Thanks!

You'll probably never see this, but hi from a nerdfighter who works at the UN! It was so cool to see nerdfighteria intersect with my work this week! Loved John's speech 😊

This is making me realize how awesome my middle school model UN experience was. Because I thought these interworkings were something most people just knew. Thanks for explaining and reminding me Hank!

Third day in a row crying because of a vlogbrothers video. That last sentence, Hank, wow. "We are still in the middle of the story and we don't have to live with the world as it is." That got me. ❤

FYI, when the UN was formed Albert Einstein was very upset that it was gutless. He really wanted a world government authority that would force all countries to follow it's rulings to prevent fighting between countries. On a side note the book Einstein his Life and Universe by Walter Isaccson is a fantastic book.

As someone in chemical industry, two very positive things are a result of the work of the UN. The GHS (Globally Harmonized System) and UN Recommendations on the Transport of Hazardous Goods (UNRTHG). GHS harmonizes the classification, labelling, and hazard communication through safety datasheets of chemicals. This is implemented in many countries and is why we now have the red and white pictograms on chemicals (in the EU they were orange and black before GHS). The UNRTHG is mostly harmonized with GHS, and thus when you classify a chemical using GHS you can fairly easily classify it according to the rules of ADR/ADN/RID/IMDG/ICAO (transport of hazardous goods on land/in-land waterways/rail/sea/air, respectively).

In the clip of john giving his TB speech there is a man behind him who enthusiastically claps when he’s done. That man has made my day.

Way to go! You, Hank, for explaining the UN and you, John, for your TB advocacy and statement at the UN!

The whole “organ” situation immediately got 100% better when I started thinking of it as the musical instrument

The mustache STAYS

It is actually kind of cool how it all works. For instance, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is one of the many UN and Non-governmental Organizations with offices located in Vienna, Austria at the Vienna International Center, largely thanks to former UN Secretary General, with a slightly troubling past, Kurt Waldheim. It does give many energy regulators and experts from around the globe the chance to visit the lovely city of Vienna.

I don't know quite why, but this moment in time, your and John's actions and contributions and narrative around combating tuberculosis is a great source of comfort to me. You'll surely protest that the 'real' front line fighters have been fighting that war quietly and out of the spotlight for years and decades, and yes, yes, that is absolutely true. But it is very comforting to see people who have gained a following by being skillfull, and witty and passionate turn that to somber purpose. Not just "raising awareness" by tweeting about it and hoping someone else will capitalize on it and do the actual work, but to lever yourself into the company of The Serious People in the pillar-of-the-world organisations. You're this moment in time's Jon Stewarts, and I hope for your success.

Hank: It’s a weird way to name a city with a “the” first. Me while visiting my parents in The Villages, FL: I completely agree.

The Trusteeship Council still exists. It just doesn’t do anything and is sitting on a pile of money intended for its mission of decolonization, but no one can agree what to do with it.

I was wondering the same thing as Hank about where John was

Thank you for making this video. I love learning all the awesome random things. Even you just sharing personal and random research. I love that you are so excited about it.

Loving Crash Course UN with your dear ol’ Uncle Hank! ❤❤

YOU KEPT THE STASH?!?!

I love some impromptu CrashCourse!

As someone who did Model UN in high school over 20 years ago, this video was an absolute delight. I'm glad no one told Hank about motions to extend a caucus.

On the fourth day of Pizzamas, Nerdfighters gave to me Four Hanklerfish Three French the Llamas Two mustachioed Greens And a terrifying Pizza John Tee!

Honestly as an international relations student this was a pretty damn good primer on the UN. Top marks, Crank Green!

*Hey! Hank looks like Juan Valdez!* 😊 I did Model UN at The Hague in high school 😅 We were Colombia and I designed Juan Valdez official stationery. 😊 Don’t tell anyone but I was probably more excited about Dutch boys & the dance party.

For some reason this video hit me more powerfully than most of your videos. Thank you very much and I found it very informative! Especially then part.

I’m having such a flashback to school! My brain still thinks of Kofi Annan when I think of the Secretary General thanks to memorising it for the Civics test 😂

for the people who thought the UN was in europe (other than the the hague as mentioned) there is also the UN in Vienna which often had important meetings since lots of countries/leaders didn’t want to go to the US for lots of reasons

The UN would be better if the countries actually took it more seriously.

Having more, and more engaging material that helps people understand the UN is so critically important for the world. This was great (despite a small error on the ICC vs ICJ), and I'd love to see more. Maybe a crash course on international organizations? Humanitarian, peacekeeping, and development systems? The incredible important SDGs? Take this up nerdfightaria!

Correction: The International Court of Justice doesn't prosecute cases against individuals. That is done by the International Criminal Court, which is not a UN institution, but which confusingly has a similar name and is also located in The Hague.

Hank!! I love your mustache!! Also, thank you for this very informing and entertaining video❤️

Currently doing UN revison for my a-level history homework this is a perfectly timed video

"We're still in the middle of the story. And we don't have to live with the world as it is." I'm. Wow.

Already 0:42 seconds in and I can tell you that ONE thing: My grand parents HATED that period. 😁

You bros are mighty cool: all sciency and smart and inspirational and informative and damn good guys! As for Pizzamas, I have no idea how that works but COUNT ME IN.

This pizzamas, I'm thankful for long hank green videos on topics he's not qualified to tell us about but is more qualified than we are

I'm so glad videos don't have to be under 4 minutes anymore!! I can't imagine not getting this whole video!!

"We don't have to live in the world the way it is." Good reminder to keep pushing forward.

"We're still in the middle of the story, and we don't have to live with the world as it is." Another one to add to the quote wall, that is so hopeful and I will repeat it to myself often

a council that did its job and then dissolved itself is such a foreign concept to me

I could listen to your voice all day long and never tire of you speaking.

Ugh, why do I like the ‘stache so much? Thanks for breaking that down, Hank. I thought the UN was just one big group before.

"We're still in the middle of the story and we don't have to live with the world as it is." So hopeful and inspiring.

As much as I’m happy to make the world a better place I miss the variety of content we used to get with vlogbrothers.

There are many UN organisations. I spent a few years working for the World Intellectual Property Organisation which is based in Geneva in Switzerland. The UN is huge and does a lot of different international activities.

I find it interesting how the judges in Den Haag have a term limit, but the security council is allowed to have countries on it permanently which has arguably done more harm than good in many smaller war situations that were used by those very members as a proxy.

I'm studying the United Nations for a school project and this video was very helpful! Saved me hours of researching.

My mom introduced me to these videos. We take care of my grandma who has dementia. It’s beautiful to see people caring for the elderly.

If anyone else was wondering, the Trusteeship council's job was to oversee the administration of the trust territories, which mostly included the former mandate territories from the League of Nations. Technically the trusteeship council still exists because abolishing it would require amending the UN charter. The council even still has a president, but in 1994 they adopted a resolution to stop meeting annually, and instead meet whenever required

The UN is also an excellent model for diplomacy a la model un!!! Wherein high school students (mostly, but there are also uni clubs) represent countries as delegates. I prefer it over debate because it can be really revolutionary for students to have to research and represent policies they don't necessarily agree with; yes, like debate, but I've seen many-an-expansive crises where people overcome oppressive prejudice. It's a highly international hobby and I've been a director for NHSMUN - the national high school model united nations conference, where we have a day at the UN! wahoo! also hell yeah ECOSOC, knockin 'em off since 1945!

One of the awesome (and FUN!) ways to get familiar with the structure of the UN is if there is a Model United Nations event/program/group near you! It was one of my after school activities and I got to attend the Model UN conference in our state with 500 other students (our schools group actually represented Russia.. 2016 was a different time) It is both very educational, has you wrangling with big concepts, and was also just an amazing time. Highly recommend it to anyone still wondering what the UN really does. (Or of you’re argumentative, enjoy politics, improv and wearing formal wear..)

as a model UN girlie, we call the "Economic and Social Council" ECOSOC (pronounced eco-sock). was hoping you'd use that because it's very fun :)

I used to think "The Hague" was a weird name, but there's so many cities and towns with La/El/Los/Las in front and that's not weird at all.

not so fun fact: given that a representative from brazil has opened the general assembly ever since 1947. which means 2011 was the first time a woman has opened the un assembly because for a while there, we had an elected woman president which caused a lot of backlash (edit: from people who didn't want to give up social exclusionary systems) and ultimately led to the rise of fascism and anti social justice movements, but that's literally another video from hank has done in the past

The UN does have a bunch of things in Geneva, Switzerland. But none of the big six organs you describe. A lot of other things, though, including the WTO, WHO, UNHCR (which you mentioned)... As others have pointed out, they also have a presence in Vienna, and also in Nairobi. And then more spread out presence, well, all over the place (with a handful of agencies headquartered here and there)

So, I have a PhD. I often say that a doctorate basically just means that you know how to learn. That describes Hank to a tee, right? So if Hank doesn't have an honorary doctorate by now, why not? I'm always so impressed with how he can digest information rather quickly and pass it on in a meaningful way that others can understand (often with humor) - that's some serious skills. A big part of it is the intellectual virtue of curiosity, which he blends with a good amount of humility (like CS Peirce said, you're more likely to arrive at truth when you admit you could be wrong). Some institution of higher learning really needs to officially recognize all that, I think. If none has already.

UN resolutions also provide templates for good laws member nations can adopt. Ethiopia may not have the funds to research effective trade policies, but the UN does and can help member states create better long term policies and laws that promote economic well-being, regional stability, and ultimately more peace.

"those very chill folks that did whole ass war crimes" 😂

I really loved the lamp turning on and off in the background

FIRST!!! Just kidding, I love that Hank is explaining the UN because I also don’t know much about it. All I know is that Eleanor Roosevelt helped write the universal bill of human rights for children 😂.

Some notes about WWII vestiges, and some other historical curiosities: The name "United Nations" itself is a vestige of the WWII Allies. The document a country signed to become one of the Allies was titled "Declaration by United Nations." The UN Charter still contains provisions that say, more or less, "Allies' remaining WWII business and subsequent peacekeeping doesn't need Security Council permission, until they tell the UN they're done." Those provisions are dead letters at this point, but amending the UN Charter is almost impossible, so they're probably going to be on the books for a while. Early in the process of morphing the WWII Allies into the UN, there were definitely ideas about it being more, well, united, which went as far as a proposal to put all nuclear weapons under international control. But human beings gotta jockey for power, so instead of a standing transnational peacekeeping authority we got a standing international talk shop, occasional international peacekeeping authority, and no way an ICJ judgement is ever going to be enforced against any of the Permanent 5. In terms of UN law, the People's Republic of China got the permanent seat because the General Assembly has the authority to decide whose credentials to recognize. After decades of lobbying from the outside and several failed votes, the PRC finally got a resolution through the Assembly that said their delegates were from the real China, and the ones previously sitting were merely "the representatives of Chiang Kai-Shek." The General Assembly subsequently used the same authority to squint at all the apartheid-era South African credentials and say, "Ennnnnh, I dunno. Does that look OK to you? Kinda looks fake to me." Unlike the case of China, Russia using the USSR's permanent seat is *not* something the General Assembly ever took a vote on. Boris Yeltsin sent a memo that said it was going to happen, and everybody decided to let it be. Of course, that acquiescence was connected to some other plans and understandings about the post-Soviet world, so, recently Ukraine has expressed a certain interest in whether that seat really is being filled by the USSR as per the UN Charter, or merely by the representatives of Vladimir Putin. (Fun bonus fact, Ukraine and Belarus were part of the USSR when the UN was founded, but they were both also founding members in their own right. The USSR was pushing for all of its member republics to be in the UN, as a power play, but the US said in that case we'd have to do the same for the states. Just 3 votes and a veto for the USSR was the "compromise.")

Ah yes, we love a classic vlogbrothers video that's just following the whims of Hank's ADHD fueled curiosity

"Aim for the moon, and you might hit the stars, ie, don't do world war 3" is a banger line.

Wow Cary Elwes from “The Princess Bride” is a Nerdfighter?!?!😍 Oh wait…

Hank's enthusiastic "BUT THAT'S NOT GONNA STOP ME" while wearing that mustache gives big "I'LL BUY THAT FOR A DOLLAR" vibes (& I'm here for it). 🤣

When talking about The Hague, it's important to mention the *American Service-Members' Protection Act* . It's also known as the *Hague Invasion Act* . Basically, if you commit war crimes on behalf of the US government, you can't be tried by the ICC or the US will literally invade the Hague.

In this video: Hank tells me he never watched The Rescuers without telling me that he never watched The Rescuers.

I hope us younger generations decide to give the UN more power and respect than our parents and grandparents did, including some form of armed forces from people in every country around the world, and that we get rid of the Security Council veto power. I think we could really do some great things if we just take collective selves more seriously and get out of our own way.

My favorite nerdfighter phenomenon is watching a RU-vid video and knowing the podcast moment that inspired it lol

This makes me want them to do a video on the International Police or Interpol for short. How the hell do they work? Are they like the supreme court for all of police in the world? Can they override and have authority over any person in custody and rule they are released? Please make a vid explaining everything

Quite a comprehensive, easily digestable explanation of the UN! Thank you - I'm sure this will inform many!

Yeah the UN is confusing and there's the CSIPM which is the Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples Mechanism where we have a voice and everything does move slow but voices are heard and important change can happen. Proud of ya john!

Hank, you seem more peppy in this video, hopefully that's due to the recovery. If so... it's good to see you back to your normal self. Hope you're feeling better!

Use this comment as a "nice hankstache" button

"Those very chill folks who did whole-ass War Crimes" made me spit my coffee, thanks Hank

Personal opinion but the sooner russia gets kicked out of the UN the sooner the rest of the world can start getting on with fun stuff and crafts and baking and things .

I was in Model UN for all four years of high school. This video and John's UN video make my high school heart happy.

Palestine 🇵🇸😭😭😭😭

I just had this weird feeling that in another universe you didn't survive cancer. We are lucky to still have you around bro. I appreciate you.

I learned more about the UN in seven minutes than I have my whole life. Thanks, Hank.

In case I haven't said it before Hank, I Love your office shelves. I hope they turned out like you wanted because they are beautiful.