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GLOBAL TOWN HALL The United Nations: An Outdated Organization?

The World Affairs Council’s Young Professionals International Forum (IF) is proud to present a monthly discussion group series: Global Town Hall. The discussion group is designed to allow IF and Council members to exchange opinions in a friendly, conversational forum while hearing a diversity of perspectives on complex global issues.

March's topic: The United Nations: An Outdated Organization?

After the Second World War, the United Nations replaced the old League of Nations to provide a better platform for dialogue between nations and thus prevent wars. Over the last 60 years, the organization expanded from 51 founding members to 193 current members and more than 15 specialized agencies. However, the organization is increasingly criticized for its lack of effectiveness and its inability to reform. As an organization that was created to prevent wars, critics frequently point to its failure to handle international crises in the post-cold war era, even on a small scale. The most prominent and dramatic examples are the Rwandan genocide and the Darfur Crisis, where the UN was not able to intervene in time or enforce its resolutions. More recently, the UN resolution to allow NATO to intervene in Libya drew international attention and resulted in mixed opinions. The “Responsibility to Protect” doctrine is often viewed, especially in developing world, as a tool of western countries to justify the violation of sovereignty of other countries. Critics of the UN argue that the member base of the Security Council is inadequate for the 21st century, and should reflect the global power balance of the world today rather than the balance at the end of Second World War. Most recognize the need to reform the United Nations, but would the current Security Council agree to reforms that would inevitably diminish their power? What are the prospects for real change?

Discussion Questions:

-Here are some questions we’ll try to discuss about during this Global Town Hall:
Is the UN currently serving its mission of providing a platform for dialogue between nations to prevent wars and/or to stop them?

-Is the current organization of the Security Council an obstacle to find and implement UN resolutions?

-Can changing the membership or procedures of the United Nations Security Council improve its credibility? What is the best way to reform the Security Council: expand the permanent membership to emerging powers or simply abolish the permanency membership?

-Should some of the Security Council prerogatives be transferred to the General Assembly? If so, which prerogatives?

-Does the responsibility to protect resolution infringe upon national sovereignty?

Articles:

“United Nations reform. Better than nothing. But hardly”, The Economist, September 15, 2005

“Obama's 4-Part Plan to Fix the United Nations” The Atlantic, January 24, 2012

“Russia accuses Nato of 'expanding' UN Libya resolution” The Independent, July 5, 2011

“Russia Holds Back Syria Resolution” Wall Street Journal, February 4, 201

“The 'Responsibility To Protect' In Syria And Beyond” NPR, February 6, 2012