International Relations: Diplomacy, Treaties, and Global Organizations
Diplomacy and Treaties
International relations contribute to the cultural, social, and economic development of nations. The United Nations’ fundamental purpose is to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, and seek cooperation for solving economic and social problems.
Treaties can be commercial, cultural, political, or social welfare agreements. International contracts involve three steps: negotiation, signature, and ratification. Different types of contracts include regulatory, bilateral, and plurilateral agreements.
Diplomatic Missions and Consular Services
The Dominican Republic uses diplomacy to establish and maintain trade and cultural relations with different nations. Countries with close ties include the USA, Spain, and Haiti.
The Chancery is the specialized institution of the state for executing its foreign policy. Its mission is to maintain diplomatic relations between states and other subjects of international law.
Ambassadors are representatives of diplomatic missions in a country. The consular service promotes trade between its country and the territory of its jurisdiction and protects its citizens. Consular offices include consulates general, consulates, vice consulates, and consular agencies.
Ethics and Values
The family is the core social unit. Peace is living in a world of order and justice. Ethics is a set of moral rules that govern behavior and relationships.
An act is moral or not insofar as it affects the value and dignity of the person. Value is the conviction that something is good or bad, appropriate or not.
Scale of values is related to the educational influence an individual has received. This determines their feelings, thoughts, and personality.
Self-esteem is the vision each person has of themselves. It is the confidence we have in our abilities, based on the accumulation of feelings, thoughts, experiences, and emotions throughout life.
Trust is the security one has in oneself and others. Family trust is a value that is cultivated and depends on the relationship between parents as a couple and their children.
Friendship is one of the most beautiful values in interpersonal communication. It arises from the treatment of a person, a feeling of affection that is pure and disinterested. It is based on sincerity, generosity, and mutual affection.
Global Organizations
IBRD: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
OAS: Organization of American States
PAHO: Pan American Health Organization
CIM: Inter-American Commission of Women
III: Inter-American Indian Institute
Social Responsibility and Labor Rights
Solidarity is an attitude of participation and support that a person shows towards the problems and difficulties of another for moral, ideological, or common good reasons.
Altruism is the attitude of a person who seeks the humanitarian benefit of others, even at the expense of their own.
Work is any activity that requires physical or intellectual effort. It is a factor in evolution and intellectual, cultural, and economic progress.
Officials and employees make up the public administration. The mission of public officials is to fulfill their role as managers, and public employees should serve the population better.
The state is responsible for the economic system of the nation. It also has the obligation to provide citizens with a source of income for subsistence.
The democratic system offers greater advantages over other systems of government. Inadequate conditions in the workplace and wages set below the law are considered social injustices.
Workers have the right to organize unions, guilds, and associations. Unions are groups that aim to protect the common interests of members and should have a policy. Union leaders must be serious, honest, hardworking, and responsible.
The strike is a right that the working class has (art. 402 of the Labor Code). Strikes should be limited to the mere fact of suspension of work. They are considered lawful if:
- There is a probability of obtaining what has been demanded
- When a right of the worker is being denied
- When contracts between employers and workers are violated
Career and Profession Selection
When selecting a career or profession, consider the following:
- The choice should be free
- For a university degree, have the intellectual capacity to study
- Have the ability to develop the job
- Know the characteristics of the career or occupation
- Determine if the interest lies in the profession
- Determine the economic resources available
United Nations Organizations
UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization: helping peace and security through education.
FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization: helping to raise levels of nutrition.
ILO: International Labour Organization: helping to establish lasting peace and social justice for workers.
IMF: International Monetary Fund: promoting international monetary cooperation.
WHO: World Health Organization: contributing to all people reaching a higher level of health.
UNICEF: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund: aiming to improve the health and welfare of children.