UN EVALUATION

by David Nuttle

The United Nations (UN) has existed for 76-years at a cost of over $500 billion. On the plus side, they have provided food aid to nearly 89 million people, assistance to 69 million displaced persons, and vaccines for half the world's children. In addition, they promoted the reduction of people under colonial rule from 750 million to 2 (two) million. Other positives were creations of global doctrines for human, social, economic, and cultural rights.

On the negative side, the UN has a poor peacekeeping record and many critical actions needed are blocked by a veto of one or more Security Council members. The UN has made some controversial loans and allowed manipulation of some components such as the PRC's excessive influence over the WHO (World Health Organization). Developing nation members have different goals than developed nations, and efforts to support creation of so-called one world government, with universal weapons control, has limited support. Adequate funding and fair contributions by different members is a constant problem.

A major failure of the UN has been to create, demonstrate, and teach members in the art of conflict resolution. This difficult technique is based on 1) Separating people from all the issues; 2) Focusing on interest, not positions; 3) Use of objective criteria & options creation, 4) Active listening and understanding the conflict(s); 5) Respect for member deeply held beliefs, values, and perceptions; 6) Open communications, empathy, and mediation; and 7) Promote valid interests while avoiding any and all threats. It would be helpful for members to have such training before they reach the UN. Worldwide, there are very little of this type of instruction at any level. The result is that armed conflicts and wars are still prevalent, and the world's various ideologies remain in opposition to each other.

Overall, the UN has been unable to realize the great hope it created for World Peace and prosperity for all.