Sr. Joan Pytlik, D.C., Elizabeth Seton Federation, offers perspectives on the topic “The United Nations a Global Moses”I arrived in February at the United Nations to be an associate with the Elizabeth Seton Federation NGO. Let’s face it, the acronyms and complexity of the UN system make the structure of the U.S. government look like a simple operation. I think I know enough now to tell you how the UN works, why it is important for you as a citizen and a Christian, and to dispel some myths, In reflecting on Moses and the burning bush recently (Exodus 3:1-8), I had a new insight on why the ground he was standing on was holy. God was telling Moses from the bush that he was to liberate God’s people from the slavery of Egypt. That’s what made the spot holy. I think the UN could be called a global Moses as it works to free all people through global peace and social progress. It does this through it’s six main organs.
The Security Council is the main guardian of world peace. It investigates conflicts and recommends terms of settlement. It can authorize actions against threats or acts of aggression (e.g. economic sanctions or peace keeping troops). There are 15 members, five of them permanent (China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the USA). Since the original UN Charter of 1945 the five have had veto power to protect the fragile peace of post-World War II. The world has changed, and this structure is being re-examined. It is here that the U.S. could not persuade 9 members that a pre-emptive strike in Iraq was necessary.
The General Assembly is the body where any issue of world concern can be discussed and recommendations made. Each of the 191 member-states has one equal vote. The General Assembly appoints the Secretary General, currently Kofi Annan of Ghana. He oversees the Secretariat which services the other organs and administers the programs and policies. I used to think Mr. Annan was over the whole UN. I learned that except for heading up the Secretariat, his only authority is moral. He does use preventive diplomacy for world disputes, and can bring issues to the General Assembly and Security Council.
The organ I work with is the Economic and Social Council, the central UN forum for economic problems and social issues (e.g. trade, economic development, children & youth, women’s rights, racial discrimination, food, narcotics, and the environment). The 54 ECOSOC members are elected by the General Assembly for a 3 year period. It does its work through Commissions and about 26 agencies (e.g. World Health Organization, World Bank, IMF, UNICEF, UN Commission on Human Rights).
The International Court of Justice makes legal judgments on issues between countries (e.g. the fence between Israel & Palestine). Since 2003 there is an International Criminal Court, which makes judgments on the crimes of individuals (e.g. genocide in Rwanda). The Trusteeship Council is almost inactive, since all Territories now have a government.
The International Court of Justice makes legal judgments on issues between countries (e.g. the fence between Israel & Palestine). Since 2003 there is an International Criminal Court, which makes judgments on the crimes of individuals (e.g. genocide in Rwanda). The Trusteeship Council is almost inactive, since all Territories now have a government.
We are becoming aware that we are a global village, and so it is necessary for God’s children to have agreements on how we can live together in peace and security. The UN, though flawed, is the only body we have to carry out that function. Since 1945, it has made over 70 human rights treaties and declarations, many protocols and conventions, and more than 480 international laws. It was summed up for me by Dr. Augustine Mahiga, ambassador from Tanzania. He said that as a child in his African village, he would be with his mother under the big tree where all the people gathered to discuss the issues and problems. They would take as many days as necessary until they reached consensus on a problem. The UN is that big tree, that burning bush, where our differences can be resolved in a peaceful way. The USA has fallen short on carrying out agreed upon UN commitments: paying its dues (about $2 annually per capita), ratifying and implementing treaties, and abiding by the UN charter and decisions. Urge the President and Congress to support the UN as our only real hope for world peace and security.
