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technical assistance to reduce poverty in poor countries.Some are especially
concerned with environmental problems or health issues. For example, the
World Health Organization and UNICEF deserve great credit for eliminating
the deadly disease of smallpox from the world. Poor countries especially
support the United Nations for this reason. Since many wars, within and
between countries, stem from economic deprivation, these efforts make an
important indirect contribution to peace.
Still other units make a third contribution: they promote human rights.
The High Commission for Refugees, for example, has worked to ease the
distress of millions of refugees who have fled their countries to escape
from war and political persecution.A special unit of the Secretary-General’s
office has supervised and assisted free elections in more than ninety
countries. It tries to establish stable and democratic governments in newly
independent countries or in countries where the people have defeated a
dictatorial government.Other units promote the rights of women, children,
and religious and ethnic minorities. The General Assembly provides a
useful setting for debate on these and other issues.
These three kinds of action—to end violence, to reduce poverty, and
to promote social and political justice—all make a contribution to peace.
True peace requires all three, working together.
The UN does not always succeed: like individuals, it makes mistakes . . .
and it often learns from its mistakes. Despite the United Nations’ occasional
stumbles, over the years it has grown and moved for-ward.These books will
show you how.
Introduction