BACKGROUND

This project examines the continued relevance of the United Nations (UN), as well as the use of the UN as the universal forum of choice for the international community to debate and manage global governance issues. This line of inquiry leads to the ultimate question of whether the UN can evolve with the times. Under the leadership of CIGI Distinguished Fellow Louise Fréchette, this project will produce a report that will examine the effectiveness of reforms that have taken place at the UN since the end of the Cold War, and offer insight into ongoing institutional reforms.

PROJECT AIMS

This project aims to offer a fair balance sheet of the UN’s efforts at improving itself over the last 20 years. Such an assessment would show an institution that is, today, much better equipped to carry out complex peace operations — ones that are almost as different from traditional peacekeeping as war is from peace. It would show a more intrusive UN in the defence of human rights with a much greater capacity to act in situations where basic rights are threatened, notably through the establishment of international criminal tribunals. It would show better coordination among UN agencies, funds and programs involved in responding to humanitarian disasters and helping developing countries pursue economic and social progress. It would acknowledge significant efforts to improve the quality of management and to root out incompetence and corruption. It would also underline examples of productive, innovative partnership with non-state actors that have helped to raise the profile of the fight against poverty and contributed to significant progress in rolling back the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

On crucial issues such as climate change, nuclear proliferation or gross abuse of human rights, the project will examine how the UN continues to disappoint even its most ardent supporters. The stalemated negotiations over the enlargement of the Security Council to make room for key emerging powers is symptomatic of an increasing disconnect between the organization and the world outside the landmark building on the East River.

Among the project’s core research questions are: Where does the responsibility rest for this state of affairs? Why have some reforms been successful and others stalled? Is the UN deficient because of inadequate procedures, incompetent staff or underperforming leaders? Can fault be laid with the political disagreements among its member states?  What does the answer to these questions tell us about our collective ability to tackle global challenges like climate change successfully?