United Nations Effectiveness
Current Work
Challenges to the United Nations
Intergovernmental forums such as the United Nations put at the disposal of the world community sets of: decision mechanisms, agreed-on norms and basic approaches to international problems, and implementing programs that political leaders can use. Political splits among nations and the uncertain role of the US in the international system, however, are impeding progress on urgent challenges such as extreme poverty, dangerous weapons, and terrorism. Stanley Foundation programs are examining how the nations of the world can use the UN and other bodies for more effective responses to 21st Century global challenges. Contact David Shorr for more information.
Responding to the Changing World
International treaties, regional organizations, and close interstate cooperation will provide some of the primary means of combating international threats. But how else can the United Nations respond to global threats? Contact Matt Martin or Kathy Gockel for more information.
Stay Active
You can take an active role in supporting the United Nations and its work. Stanley Foundation programs help citizens and activists learn about and discuss critical issues facing the United Nations. Contact Kathy Gockel for more information.
The United Nations must reestablish its role in our changing world so that we, as a global community, can begin to respond to the shared challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
Publications
- PDF (128.8 KB) United Nations Reform: Improving Peace Operations by Advancing the Role of Women, published February 2007 (24 pages)
- PDF (102.2 KB) Ensuring a Well-Managed United Nations, published March 2006 (17 pages)
- PDF (159.4 KB) United Nations Reform in Context, analysis authored by David Shorr, published February 2006 (16 pages)
- PDF (1.6 MB) Toward "Larger Freedom", published August 2005 (40 pages)
- PDF (110.1 KB) Building Consensus for "Our Shared Responsibility", published May 2005 (18 pages)
- PDF (109.3 KB) Accepting "Our Shared Responsibility", published March 2005 (18 pages)
- PDF (77 KB) The United States and the United Nations Moving Forward, published February 2005 (14 pages)
- PDF (1.2 MB) Capturing the 21st Century Security Agenda: Prospects for Collective Responses, published October 2004 (140 pages)
- PDF (279.3 KB) Updating the United Nations to Confront 21st Century Threats: The Challenge to the High-Level Panel, published July 2004 (35 pages)
- PDF (74 KB) Issues Before the UN's High-Level Panel—Development, Poverty, and Security, published June 2004 (11 pages)
- PDF (62.5 KB) Issues Before the UN's High-Level Panel—Small Arms and Light Weapons, published June 2004 (9 pages)
- PDF (71.2 KB) Issues Before the UN's High-Level Panel—Intervention in Humanitarian Crisis, published June 2004 (11 pages)
- PDF (65.4 KB) Issues Before the UN's High-Level Panel—The Use of Force, published June 2004 (9 pages)
- PDF (87.8 KB) The Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Security Threats—Maximizing Prospects for Success, published February 2004 (20 pages)
Op-Eds
- "The UN—Teetering on the Brink?," by David Shorr, The Globalist, September 2, 2005
- "Kofi Annan and George Bush—Finally United?," by David Shorr, The Globalist, April 11, 2005
- "Resisting a Vendetta Against the UN," by David Shorr, The Globalist, December 9, 2004
Articles
- In Search of Strength—UN Human Rights Council looks to new mandate for direction, legitimacy, by David Shorr, April 2006
- United Nations: Who's Next?—The search for a new secretary-general is under way, by Keith Porter, Spring 2006
- Another Chance for Diplomacy: "No Such Thing as the United Nations"—World body a forum for member countries, not an independent entity, by David Shorr, Spring 2006
- Fighting Health Challenges Around the World—Eradicating Disease Through Cooperation and Collaboration, by Jen Maceyko, November 2005
- 2005 World Summit: The UN of the Future—Much left undone, by David Shorr, Fall 2005
Audio
- RealAudio "24/7: The Rise and Influence of Arab Media" full documentary, April 2006
- MP3 (17MB) Unlimited Potential: Behind the Scenes of Pan-Arab Broadcast News, by Kristin McHugh, April 2006
- MP3 (16MB) On the Ground: Viewers and Leaders Cope With the New Arab Media, by Simon Marks, April 2006
- MP3 (11MB) The View From Washington: America's Efforts to Praise, Discredit, and Compete with New Arab Media, by Sam Litzinger, April 2006
- MP3 (3.5MB) The Murky Window of Satellite Television, audio essay by David Brancaccio, April 2006
- MP3 (8MB) Interview With Jamil Azar, Al Jazeera Senior Anchor, April 2006
- MP3 (9MB) Interview With Middle East Media Expert Ramez Maluf, April 2006
- MP3 (11MB) Interview With Jane Arraf, Senior Baghdad Correspondent, CNN, April 2006
- NPR Shift in Nature of Iraq War Requires New Tactics, Michael Kraig on NPR's Talk of the Nation, March 2006
