The Changing United Nations: Institute of International Studies, University of California, Berkeley

Page 4 of 4: Conclusion

Ladies and Gentlemen,

he United Nations has reached a unique and critical moment in its history. In the new world of international relations, where dialogue and cooperation have an opportunity to prevail, greater than at any other time in the past, we must ensure that the United Nations is well equipped and more efficient to face the challenges of this hopeful state of human history. But it is up to states themselves to make the United Nations work for the international community. After all, the organization is no more than the sum of its members. Its successes are the successes of its Member States; and its failures are the failures of the Member States. Should we let the United Nations end up being shaped by the uncertainty and unpredictability so characteristic of our times?

I don't think we should.

Because the United Nations is very important and we do now have the opportunity to contribute decisively to cross the threshold of this new era of hope.

I will be honest with you.

Were the United Nations an organization dedicated to promoting war, regional conflicts, ethnic persecution, genocide, violation of human rights, enlarging the differences between North and South, forget about the children, and the poor, and the sick, ignore democracy and support dictatorship around the world -- were these to be the main goals of the United Nations, then I would understand perfectly well and could join my voice to those who attack the United Nations, who criticize its goals and achievements, who accuse its leaders, members, and officers of doing a bad job.

But can democracies criticize the United Nations for promoting democracy? Can peace-lovers criticize the United Nations for working for peace? Can welfare states criticize the United Nations for aiding the poor, the sick, the needy? Can freedom-lovers criticize the United Nations for promoting human rights? Can true believers in the equality of all human beings criticize the United Nations for fighting racism and ethnic persecution or for having fought apartheid?

here are our priorities? Do we want to build a world for the rich and powerful, or do we want to build a civilization of love, caring for those most in need? Do we want to promote egotism or do we want to serve our brothers who suffer and cry for help? Do we live for promoting self-interest or do we work for a better world for everyone? Do we dare for ourselves only or do we care for our neighbor?

The world has become a global village. All human beings have become our neighbors. Do we want to help them, or do we want to let them die in war, in political repression, or in extreme poverty?

The United Nations is a more serious matter than it seems when you first hear about it. I warmly invite you all to acknowledge that our attitude towards the United Nations has much less to do with money, or good administration, or modernization than with our own concept of people, life, morals and justice.

If we consider ourselves true humanists and if our main concern is with everything human, then we must draw from it the inevitable conclusion that the United Nations is worth our praise, and we must support its humanitarian activities with all our heart and soul. Otherwise, it will succumb at the hands of its enemies and for lack of support from its friends.

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