The United Nations

   
-------UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL-------------

  +United Nations Children's Fund, 
  +the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  +the World Food Programme
  +the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
  +the United Nations Development Programme
  +the United Nations Environment Programme
  +the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) 
  +the United Nations International Drug Control Programme. 


   The Economic and Social Council was established by the Charter as the
   principal organ, under the authority of the General Assembly, to promote:
      (a) higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions 
          of economic and social progress and development; 
      (b) solutions of international economic, social, health, and related 
          problems; and international cultural and educational cooperation
      (c) universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and 
          fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, 
          sex, language, or religion. 

   The functions and powers of the Economic and Social Council are:
   
      * to serve as the central forum for the discussion of international
        economic and social issues of a global or inter-disciplinary nature and
        the formulation of policy recommendations on those issues addressed to
        Member States and to the United Nations system;
      * to make or initiate studies and reports and make recommendations on
        international economic, social, cultural, educational, health and
        related matters;
      * to promote respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental
        freedoms;
      * to call international conferences and prepare draft conventions for
        submission to the General Assembly on matters falling within its
        competence;
      * to negotiate agreements with the specialized agencies defining their
        relationship with the United Nations;
      * to coordinate the activities of the specialized agencies by means of
        consultations with and recommendations to them and by means of
        recommendations to the General Assembly and the Members of the United
        Nations;
      * to perform services, approved by the Assembly, for Members of the
        United Nations and, on request, for the specialized agencies;
      * to consult with non-governmental organizations concerned with matters
        with which the Council deals.