In July 2010, I was accepted by the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University to participate in an intensive training course at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This unique opportunity enabled me to learn about the workings and political dynamics of the UN from a combination of 19 top-tiered UN officials and practitioners.
Since its creation in 1945, the UN is till the only organisation that brings together 192 nations as tact for political intervention and preventive diplomacy. Unique for its peacekeeping capabilities and humanitarian assistance, members rely on the UN when no other options are available to them. This is true of Africa as 70% of UN time is spent on African matters. As a member unit, 150 countries participate in peacekeeping by sending troops or contributing financially. Developing countries like Bangladesh and Ghana are leading in troop contribution, whereas members of the Security Council and member donors like Japan concentrate their efforts in financial aid. Even then the UN is in a fragile state as a result of reduced political support and shrinking funds. In recent years, UN bases and blue-helmet troops have been attacked by terrorists as they no longer accept the UN as impartial party. Now, UN bases look more like armed camps which ultimately sends the wrong signal to rogue actors.
The biggest scepticism shown towards the UN is surprisingly by the United States. Before Barack Obama’s presidency, the tone of US statements was confrontational and self-serving. US public opinion of UN work was superficially shallow and widespread. In an effort to shift public attitude of the US-UN relationship, President Obama has opened up engagement with the UN by resuming financial support to particular UN missions, and accepting to host the 64th General Assembly this September. Nevertheless it is clear that the UN is doing a poor job in relaying positive news of its missions to the public. The most current media spectacle is generated around Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon’s public perception. A week before this training, a highly controversial document known as the Alhenius Memo had described Moon as being a spineless, deplorable leader compared to Kofi Anan. Depicted as the “invisible man”, UN members are pondering whether Moon was the “wrong” Asian candidate for the job. This week, officials have confirmed that Moon is likely to secure a second term in office, unless China and Russia change their mind.
On a positive note, the UN is leading on “global goods” issues such as emissions of greenhouse gases, global health, and cross-bordering diseases. One of the biggest focuses for many UN offices is the Millennium Development Goal (MDG). While the main MDG targets will not be met in 2015, the general poverty level has been halved since its initiation. In collaboration with corporations, the UN Office for Partnership is working to leverage investment in developing countries so that local governments can establish social security for its people through infrastructure, governance, and education. The three pillars of the UN – development, peace and security, and human rights – is central for rebuilding a failed nation. However, many practitioners have argued that these pillars exclude underlying problems that inevitably lead to insecurity. Like a vicious cycle, human security cannot be sustained without tackling poverty, corruption, human and drug trafficking, preventable diseases, deforestation, climate vulnerability, arms trade, and gender discrimination. Much of the poor rely on these methods to survive. Development cannot happen without combating weaknesses that can potentially break the political infrastructure. The UN must integrate these issues into the three pillar system, or else root problems will continue to hinder any achievements.Stigma and discrimination is the biggest killer for change, specifically for issues linked to HIV/AIDS, women’s rights, trafficking and global health. According to the UN Secretariat office, about 33.4 million people are living with HIV of whom more than 30 million live in low and middle-income countries. There has been a decline in AIDs due to prevention education to help change attitude of sexual behaviour in African youths, yet the problem is being crossed over border through human-drug trafficking and the sex trade. This is certainly true of Eastern Europe. Currently, Russia is giving no money to HIV prevention owing to stigma and discrimination barriers. Even the US still suffers from HIV stigma dating back from 1981, when the disease was called the “gay cancer”. In relation to the MDG, mothers are most stubborn in allowing their children to be vaccinated in fear that the needles will make their child sicker. Nigeria has the biggest number of polio as mothers are unwilling to immunise their children due to cultural and religious beliefs.
Involving women in the political and educational development is becoming ever more important. Although Security Council Resolution 1325 (SCR1325) was initiated to involve women in all aspects of decision-making, it seems that even the UN is slow to adopt. Currently, there are 21 female ambassadors to the UN, and 5-6 women are leading peacekeeping operations. This is an improvement but taking into account that 192 countries are UN members, such a number is far and short off target. When considering applicants for a senior position, 1 out of the 3 recommended candidates must be a woman. The author of the Ahlenius Memo was shortlisted for top appointment but she refused as felt discriminated to be shortlisted because of her gender. The question begs whether female appointment is an issue of equality or a struggle over principle or power. Ban Ki Moon supports SCR1325 but without NGO pressure, implementation will continue to be side-stepped by member states.
During training, the biggest surprise for me was to learn about the UN Democracy Fund. This office was set up in 2005upon Kofi Anan stating that democracy is a human right. This is all well and good but as a Western concept, I doubt that democracy will be accepted as a norm for every society. China is a clear example. Chinese foreign policy revolves around compromise and this is evident in their peacekeeping contribution. Anan had defined the basis of sovereignty as ruled by the people and if the sovereign violates their rights, the UN has the right to intervene. China may not agree with this definition, but as a compromise to support conflict prevention, China is willing to contribute troops. Democratisation is an internal matter. The agency cannot do its work without the aid and support of local governments and civil society. At present, 4200 NGOs are accredited to the UN. UN staff is too few and resources are limited, therefore the UN rely on NGO relationship to drive and support the organisation. It is clear that the best way to work with the UN is to join a UN-accredited NGO.
For more information on how to work for the UN and the speakers I have met, please email.
