Page 211 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

Bringing the Concept to Life

of the United Nations. Under Chapter VIII of its Charter, the United Nations
is discovering ways in which regional arrangements and organizations can
contribute significantly to the Security Council’s efforts. Articles 52, 53 and 54
refer explicitly to the symbiotic role such regional organizations can play, but
do not provide formal guidelines or stipulate specific parameters. During the
Cold War little consideration was given to Chapter VIII or to profiting from
these organizations. In recent years, however, the situation is changing. The
UN Secretariat is looking for ways to improve the planning and
implementation of joint activities. Material, logistical, military, conceptual, and
financial aspects of peace-keeping are issues of particular concern.

Members of civil society - in particular non-governmental organizations -
also have an increasingly important role to play in promoting the goals of the
United Nations. The Fourth World Conference on Women that concluded a
week ago in Beijing exemplifies the effectiveness of this relationship.
Convening international meetings forces governmental leaders and their
bureaucracies to address difficult issues. It generates increased public and
media interest that keeps the issues higher on the agenda than might otherwise
have been. Grass roots organizations and other interested parties in civil
society can - and do - use public statements and accords signed at such
meetings as a means to hold Governments accountable. Like all other major
summits, this Conference set standards that will give the United Nations
additional legitimacy to demand subsequent actions.

Besides learning how to cooperate more effectively, the United Nations
must make further progress in its efforts to reform. Just as the Member States
have become more receptive towards accepting the assistance and intervention
of the World Organization, so too must the United Nations adapt to the
changing environment. The Secretary-General has acknowledged that tangible
reforms within the Organization must be implemented as words without deeds
result in disillusionments, despair, and distrust.

Reform of the structures within the United Nations is as necessary as it is
difficult. Many significant reforms have been implemented in the past several
years and much progress has been made. Examples include numerous
management and administrative changes that do not make headlines - such as a
long-sought overhaul of the performance appraisal system in the Secretariat -
and yet will have a major effect on staff morale and efficiency.

Larger reforms such as the composition and design of the Security Council
are also being discussed. The Secretary-General is in favour of “Reinforcing"

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