Critics call the U.N. inefficient and say it needs a dose of private sector management to bring the lumbering bureaucracy into line. Others say, even so, the U.N. remains a bargain, taking on tasks that no nation will and point to its cost of $2 per person/year compared to $1000/year each American pays for the Iraq War. Join us to explore ways of reforming the U.N. to meet 21st century challenges. Funded by the Ploughshares Fund.
Guests:
James Traub, Journalist, Author of The Best Intentions: Kofi Annan and the UN in the Era of American World Power
Tim Wirth, President UN Foundation
Ambassador Munir Akran, Pakistan Representative to the United Nations
Roderick Hills, Former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman
Questions for Further Discussion
“Inefficient But Indispensible”
Learning Goal:To understand the function(s) of the United Nations and the current challenges faced by the institution, as well as how it might change in the future in order to better fulfill international obligations.
Learning Methods: Assign one or more of the following questions to students individually, in pairs, or in small groups for discussion. Consider asking them to present their findings for the class in a short presentation, project, or research assignment.
Terms:
United Nations General Assembly
Security Council Secretary General Kofi Annan
1. The United Nations has been criticized for issues in management, funding, and representation. Discuss each of these concerns as they relate to the UN and are discussed in the program.
2. In spite of these concerns, it is agreed that the United Nations is an entity that must be kept intact and is essential to global matters. Why is this? Is the UN effective? Under what circumstances is it effective and why? In what case(s) is it ineffective and why?
3. Many guests discuss the idea of United Nations reform as being essential due to the antiquated make up of the institution. How did the current structure of the United Nations develop? Why does it not reflect or represent the world as it is today? What are the main challenges in reforming the UN?
4. Tim Wirth, the President of the United Nations Foundation, discusses the recent relationship between the United States and the United Nations as “unfortunate” following the United States’ actions in Iraq. What is the character of the relationship between the United States and the United Nations? Why is this relationship important to both the country and the UN itself?
5. Journalist James Traub offers several explanations for why the United Nations does not often attain the recognition it deserves for its work. Munir Akran also discusses the humanitarian efforts the UN is engaged in and how infrequently it is associated with these efforts. Why, according to the program and in your opinion, does the UN not get the publicity that it deserves?
6. Several guests discuss the funding of the United Nations. Roderick Hills outlines the problems concerning it in term of reform. Where does United Nations funding come from and how does this influence its operations? How does the source of its funding impact potential U.N. reform?
INNOVATION IN ACTION: Additional Assignments
1. According to journalist James Traub, the United Nations seems
effective and appreciated in humanitarian aid efforts, but less so
in the political arena. He goes on to indicate that many of the
humanitarian aid efforts for which the UN is responsible are not often
attributed to the UN. Research the different programs for which the
UN is responsible, citing those that seem effective and those that
seem less so. What explanation can you offer for the less than
effective initiatives?
2. Research the countries that fund the United Nations and design a
visual chart or graph to represent the funding sources. Compare
this chart or graph to that of another budget in the United States,
such as the City of New York or state of California. What conclusions
can you draw based on these comparisons in terms of operational
challenges?
3. Some claim the United Nations does not represent the
world as it looks today. If you could wave a magic wand, and
redesign the representation of the UN with ease, what would it look
like and why? Provide rationale for your redesign configuration.
4. Option One: Prepare a report and/or presentation arguing for the
essential existence of the United Nations, even in its current state.
Option two: Conversely, prepare a report and/or presentation for an
alternative entity that could potentially be more effective. Be sure to
explain why you chose this option and why this new creation would
be more effective.
