This week, the IAA is going to examine the United Nations. This organization was created in 1945 with the intention of eliminating the problems and inefficiencies that doomed its predecessor, the League of Nations. Sixty-five years, one Cold War and countless violent disputes and human rights abuses later, the UN has become a lightning rod for criticism and even calls for elimination.
The broad questions we hope to answer on Wednesday are:
- Does the UN pursue worthwhile goals?
- If so, has it done a satisfactory job of achieving them?
- What, if any, reforms are needed to help it achieve its goals more effectively?
- Would the world be better off without the UN? Would another organization(s) need to take its place?
These questions are difficult to answer, as every action the Organization has ever taken can be used as evidence for any side of the argument and we can only speculate how the course of history would have unfolded without the UN.
On a theoretical plane, we must consider the idea of collective security, whether it can ever be implemented successfully at any scale and especially the global scale. We should also consider whether or not the vast political and cultural differences between nations make for a desirable global forum. Perhaps the mere scale of the UN makes unity on important issues impossible.
At a more tangible level, we must look at programs and operations the UN has conducted through the years. Was the failure to intervene in the Rwandan Genocide caused by a few misguided individuals or by problems endemic to the UN system? Do states need a stronger incentive than public pressure to adhere to UN resolutions or are non-binding documents doomed to uselessness (What can we do to help the UN use the Force)? What about the widespread violence that has plagued the world in some form throughout the existence of the UN? Is it possible to say these conflicts are the best we can hope for and that the UN has prevented far worse wars, or could a better system have created more stability around the globe?
We will explore the structure and operations of the UN, trying to identify flaws that will perpetuate difficulties and reforms that might breathe new life into the idea of global cooperation. At our disposal are numerous proposed reforms, many of them surrounding the Security Council, its composition and voting system; however, by putting our heads together, perhaps we can think of some new proposals warranting further exploration.
This is an open discussion and you are all welcome to speak your minds, be as polarized or neutral as you want, play Devil’s advocate or just sit back and watch the debate unfold.
Join us, on Wednesday, September 15th at 7:30pm, at CAS 222, to figure out if there is any hope for the UN…
Announcements:
– The Intra-Boston University Conference Simulation is Saturday the 18th! This is a fun way to kick off the rust if you’re an experienced MUNer or to learn the ropes if you’re new to Model UN. Apply to be a delegate here or send an email to ibucs@buiaa.org is you are interested in chairing or crisis directing!
– BeanMUN 2011 Secretary-General applications are open. Click here to fill one out.
– CMUNNY applications are also open. The conference runs from October 7-10 at Columbia University. The trip will cost $130 per delegate. Click here to fill out an application. Applications are due this Thursday, September 16th at 7pm.
– BarMUN is fast approaching but it’s not too late to get involved! Apply to join the staff of this innovative crisis conference here. The next training session is on September 25 from 12-2 in Photonics 205. Lunch will be provided.
– The BosMUN Army is already gearing up! Apply to join the staff here.
– The International Relations Review is still accepting submissions. To submit an entry or inquire about joining the team, email irr@buiaa.org.
