Page 176 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

30.

Sciencia Potentia Est

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY MR. VLADIMIR PETROVSKY
UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA
FOR “GENEVA NEWS AND INTERNATIONAL REPORT”

23 June 1995

T he United Nations is traditionally perceived as an organization

dealing primarily with international conflicts and disasters.
References to the UN in the mass media are usually related to
peace-keeping and humanitarian relief operations. Television viewers all over
the world are accustomed to the scenes of the UN “blue helmets” patrolling
streets in Sarajevo or other hot spots.

Indeed, conflict prevention, peacemaking, peace-keeping and peace-
building are among the most important fields of the UN activities. However,
the World Organization is much more than just that. It is constantly evolving to
adjust to the turbulence of the transforming international environment. It
acquires new functions and develops new capabilities which its founders could
never foresee. Among its numerous activities there is one which has evolved
quite recently and is often overlooked.

During 50 years of its existence the UN has accumulated a tremendous
amount of information and expertise in a variety of fields. Let's take the
Geneva-based UN bodies. Apart from the UN Office at Geneva this city hosts
five specialized agencies plus nearly 20 smaller programmes. The International
Labour Organiuation, for example, has at its disposal unique information on
the solution of a wide variety of problems related to labour relations. It has
154