Securing the World From War: Examining the UN Security Council

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, 75 Years of the United Nations Special Issue, 2020

By Carolyn Gruske

There have been no outright wars between the world’s major powers and no nuclear conflicts since the end of the Second World War in 1945.

It’s that fact that causes some, including former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, Paul Heinbecker, to say that the United Nations Security Council is an important body that has served its purpose and has done so successfully.

“That’s a very long time for there not to have been a war,” says Heinbecker who has also been a foreign policy advisor to Canadian prime ministers, including Brian Mulroney and Jean Chrétien. “That’s partly because the most powerful countries are on the Security Council and they’re in non-stop diplomacy in New York, day in and day out, 24/7. A lot of what they’re doing amounts to preventing conflict.”

That’s not to say that the Security Council is completely successful, or that there haven’t been wars or military engagements or that people and nations don’t see the need to reform it.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .
Avatar photo

Carolyn Gruske is an award-winning reporter and magazine editor. She often writes about the intersection of business, technology, and the law, but she also has a deep interest in educational topics.

Education News

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Girls Experienced Disproportionate Setbacks in STEM Skills Post-COVID

COVID-19 has been an unequal crisis, disrupting learning more deeply for some student groups than others.

For 8th Straight Year, 100% of Success Academy Grads Accepted to 4-Year Colleges

66% of students were accepted to selective institutions. Graduates were awarded more than $20 million in financial aid.

Common Sense Media Releases New AI Toolkit for School Districts

The toolkit provides teachers and district leaders with practical tools to facilitate AI adoption.

Join Our Newsletter

Get 10% off a subscription, monthly giveaways, and the latest updates—straight to your inbox!

Carolyn Gruske
Carolyn Gruske
Carolyn Gruske is an award-winning reporter and magazine editor. She often writes about the intersection of business, technology, and the law, but she also has a deep interest in educational topics.

Advertisement

Read More

Real (and Really Funny) Math

I'm an author of math books, which may sound like a dry job, but that’s exactly why I do it. It’s my goal to show kids that math can be fun (and funny!)

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Exploring Indigenous Culture Through the Senses: A Transformative Learning Experience

At McKenzie Towne School in Alberta, students are learning through touch, scent, and sound with the Indigenous Sensory Box Project.

The Positive Impacts of Computer Science: What Every Teacher and Administrator Should Know

After working as both a teacher and an administrator, I know how much of a difference it can make when school leaders truly appreciate the power of computer science.

Girls Experienced Disproportionate Setbacks in STEM Skills Post-COVID

COVID-19 has been an unequal crisis, disrupting learning more deeply for some student groups than others.

For 8th Straight Year, 100% of Success Academy Grads Accepted to 4-Year Colleges

66% of students were accepted to selective institutions. Graduates were awarded more than $20 million in financial aid.