Suchergebnisse

Frohlich discusses a special type of actor in the UN system that has not received the amount of attention in academic and political circles that it deserves: special representatives of the Secretary-General. The argument that he presents starts with a reflection on what it means to represent an international organization. Then, he analyzes how the representatives of the Secretary-General have developed as a specific type of individual actor. Looking both at their origin as well as their development over time, he argues that the actions of these individual actors account for a special kind of agency of the organization that they represent. Adapted from the source document.

The challenge of dealing with crimes against humanity encompasses a number of technical, legal and political questions. But the challenge also lies in the conceptual understanding of the content and relevance of international efforts for the prevention and prosecution of crimes against humanity. In this context, the theoretical underpinnings of the terms involved can provide some orientation into the nature, scope and significance of crimes against humanity and their connection with the concepts of humankind as a collective entity and the international community as a concrete legal manifestation and actor thereof. In order to explore this context, the following reflections will discuss some pertinent insights from Immanuel Kant, Hannah Arendt and Hermann Broch that indicate a distinct path of reasoning about crimes against humanity within the history of ideas, which in turn can provide some orientation in dealing with the present challenges. Adapted from the source document.

Argues that the debate on UN Secretariat reform is characterized by several ironies that generate unintended results. The first irony is the ambiguous language of chapter XV of the UN Charter which creates tension between political & administrative work. Although Article 97 describes the secretary-general as "chief administrative officer," Articles 98 & 99 suggest other functions, including organizing a peacekeeping force & taking a position on international issues. The second irony is that the last months of Kofi Annan's term as secretary-general were accompanied by calls for reform even though Annan implemented the most comprehensive reforms in UN history, including those aimed at making the Secretariat more effective. Other reform efforts inspired by the findings of the Independent Inquiry Committee are described, along with General Assembly resolutions adopted in May 2006 which illustrate the ironies inherent in the reform process & indicate that that reform has become an arena for power politics. The need for the Secretariat & member states to recognize their double role as advocates & addressees of reform demands is emphasized. J. Lindroth

Kofi Annan's invaluable contribution to the UN in his function as the organization's seventh general secretary is recognized, presenting him as a very able manager of world crises, ideas, & much needed administrative reform of the secretariat's organizational structure. His focus on international security, economic development, & human rights is pointed out, noting that stock-taking of Annan's achievements is not only a history of the successes & failures of an individual but a narrative on international relations in general & an assessment of the successes & failures of this world organization. Z. Dubiel

Up to now, implementation instead of innovation has determined the agenda of the UN General Secretary. In the near future, there are no big reform visions expected from Ban Ki-moon. However, in the long run, the successor of Kofi Annan will be unable to remain in his conceptual modesty. Adapted from the source document.

When he calls, the powerful & rich come & want to do something good. In only three years, Bill Clinton has established his initiative as platform for global philanthropy. Ascertained aid pledges in the billions are converted into projects that help development & at the same time show a profit. Adapted from the source document.

Hammarskjold's interest in literature & the arts was reflected in his diplomatic & political work. Hammarskjold's artistic leanings are evident when his correspondence with British sculptor Hepworth is examined. It is evident from this correspondence that both Hammarskjold & Hepworth viewed art as being socially & politically significant. These beliefs were intensified in both individuals following WWI & WWII. When Hammarskjold was unexpectedly killed in an air crash, Hepworth was commissioned to create a statue for the United Nations in New York in memory of Hammarskjold. The unveiling of Hepworth's statue signified the former Secretary-General's political views: that both art & politics can lead to international cooperation & spiritual rebuilding in a world threatened by Cold War. 12 Figures. K. Larsen

One of the most prominent findings of the 2005 Human Security Report (HSR) was the sharp decline in the number of intrastate conflicts since the beginning of the 1990s that the HSR associated with an 'upsurge of international activism.' The article wants to elaborate further on this interrelation by introducing the concept of 'UN presence' & linking it to conflict prevalence. This perspective reveals two observations: While the increase in peacekeeping operations surely represents the most obvious form of LTN engagement, it cannot easily explain the decrease in intrastate conflicts. In addition to the Blue Helmets, the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General emerge as a relevant form of UN presence not only engaged in peacekeeping but also in prevention, mediation, peacemaking & peacebuilding. Tables, Figures, References. Adapted from the source document.