An international organization formed in 1945 to increase political and economic cooperation among member countries. The organization works on economic and social development programs, improving human rights and reducing global conflicts. The United Nations is composed of the General Assembly (for legislation), a Security Council (for the promotion of peace), an Economic and Social Council (for economic development), a Secretariat (administration and information and the International Court of Justice (for judicial matters). It is also responsible for the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the World Food Programme. |||The United Nations was formed in the wake of WWII as a way to reduce tensions among countries and to reduce the possibility of other large-scale conflicts. Almost every country and sovereign state is represented, and the organization's leader, the Secretary-General, is appointed by the General Assembly. Funding for the organization comes from its members, with the United States contributing the largest amount to the budget.