Recognizing the importance of a strong library to support the work of an international organization and to serve as “a centre of international research and an instrument of international understanding,” “Junior” (John D. Rockefeller, Jr.) donated USD 2 million in 1927 for the construction and endowment of the Library of the League of Nations, which became the Library of the UN Office at Geneva in 1946.
Through negotiations by his son Nelson, in 1946 he bought for $8.5 million – from the major New York real estate developer William Zeckendorf – and then donated the land along the East River in Manhattan upon which the United Nations headquarters was built. This was after he had vetoed the family estate at Pocantico as a prospective site for the headquarters.

To help ensure that the IAEA’s objective of promoting atomic energy does not interfere with the valuable work of WHO on Chernobyl and other radiation and health studies; and to bring this agreement in line with our current knowledge of radiation and health damage, we ask that WHA 12.40 be amended as follows:

1. Remove the requirement that any WHO program on the health effects of nuclear energy must first be discussed with and agreed to by the IAEA.
2. The provision safeguarding confidential information (article 3, para. 1) be amended to allow for nondisclosure of only such information which has no bearing on health or environmental risks of nuclear energy.

It is not the mandate of the IAEA to assume primacy over studies which research the health and environmental effects of ionizing radiation released from routine operation or accident. It is scientifically irresponsible and in no one’s best interest to limit, by assumption, the kinds of diseases which may be caused by lower-dose, long-term ionizing radiation. And because the IAEA has such a blatant objective to promote atomic energy, they should under no circumstances be allowed to assess its health and environmental effects. This is wholly outside their jurisdiction and creates mistrust among the world’s people.

The United States thinks the United Nations has a drinking problem.
Ambassador Joseph M. Torsella, who represents the U.S. on the U.N.’s budget committee, said Monday that the tense process of negotiating the world body’s annual budget is made more complicated by the number of diplomats who turn up drunk.
The U.N. budget is finalized in December, when holiday parties apparently lead to some revelry spilling over into budget negotiations.
The U.S. is making “the modest proposal that the negotiating rooms should in future be an inebriation-free zone,” Torsella said during a private meeting of the budget committee. The U.S. mission released a transcript of his remarks.
Some tipsy negotiating partners have left the U.S. “truly grateful for the strategic opportunities,” he said.
But Torsella said the committee should “save the champagne for toasting the successful end of the session.”

The Brazilian-proposed concept of responsibility while protecting (RWP) has polarized opinion on how the international community should respond when civilian populations are targeted. RWP’s supporters claim it would make civilian protection interventions, especially military ones, more accountable and proportionate and rein in perceived misuse of the internationally accepted responsibility to protect (R2P). Some of RWP’s opponents see it as a deliberate ploy by states aligned with China and Russia to impede intervention. In reality, this debate is a distraction from less comfortable truths about R2P.

Israël était appelé à rendre des comptes devant le Conseil des droits de l’homme dans le cadre de l’examen périodique universel (EPU). Son siège est resté vide. Depuis mars 2012, L’Etat hébreu boycotte cette instance.
La rupture a été consommée lorsque le Conseil des droits de l’homme a lancé la première mission d’enquête internationale indépendante sur les conséquences de la colonisation en «territoire palestinien occupé, y compris Jérusalem-Est». S’estimant trop souvent pris pour cible et déplorant «la politisation» de cette enceinte, Israël s’en est éloigné.

The United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network consists of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and a number of interrregional and regional institutes around the world, as well as specialized centres. The network has been developed to assist the international community in strengthening co-operation in the crucial area of crime prevention and criminal justice. Its components provide a variety of services, including exchange of information, research, training and public education.

The UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network Institutes (PNI):

• UNICRI – United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institutes; Turin, Italy
• UNAFEI – United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders; Tokyo, Japan
• ILANUD – United Nations Latin American Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders; San José, Costa Rica
• HEUNI – European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations; Helsinki, Finland
• UNAFRI – United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders; Kampala, Uganda.
• NAUSS – Naif Arab University for Security Sciences; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• AIC – Australian Institute of Criminology; Canberra, Australia
• ICCLR & CJP – International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy; Vancouver, Canada
• ISISC – International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences; Siracusa, Italy
• NIJ – National Institute of Justice; Washington D.C., USA
• RWI – Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law; Lund, Sweden
• ISPAC – International Scientific and Professional Advisory Council of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme; Milan, Italy
• ICPC – International Centre for the Prevention of Crime; Montreal, Canada
• ISS – Institute for Security Studies; Pretoria, South Africa
• KIC – Korean Institute of Criminology; Seoul, Korea
• The Basel Institute on Governance – (International Center for Asset Recovery)
• College for Criminal Law Science (CCLS): Beijing, China
• UNODC – United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; Vienna, Austria

    Scale of assessments (Japan)
    日本の国連分担率の推移

人道的介入には、以下の要件が必要とされる。

1. 極度の人権侵害状況が見られること。
2. 他の平和的手段を尽くした上で、最後の手段としての武力行使であること。
3. 人権抑圧の停止が目的で、国益追求など他の政治目的を含めないこと。
4. 状況の深刻さに比例した手段を取り、期間も最小限にすること。
5. 相応の結果が期待できること。
6. 国連安全保障理事会の承認があること。
7. 個別の国よりも地域的国際機関が、地域的国際機関よりも国連が主導するものを優先させること。

国連憲章では武力不行使が原則とされるが、例外が二つある。第一に自衛権。第二に、国連自身が強制執行する際に武力行使も含まれる。ただし、現時点において国連軍は存在しないため、加盟国に委任する形で人道的介入は行なわれることになる。
とはいえ、人道的介入の原則が確立しているわけではない。歴史的にみても他の政治目的が絡む場合が大半で、純粋な人道目的はまれである。それこそ、ヒトラーはズデーテン地方併合に際してドイツ人が迫害されているという口実をもとにしたように、人道目的・平和目的を建前としつつ国益追求の戦争をふっかける可能性は常にある。教条的な平和主義はもちろん論外であるが、他方で武力介入はじめにありきの議論も避けなければならない。

湾岸戦争この方、バブルのようにくり広げられてきた「正義」の横行を、一度見直すベき時が来たのではないか。肥大した正義は問題の解決にならない。しかもその正義が第三者の判定を受けないなら、多国間の秩序は一層不安定になるだろう。そこにおいて、国連平和体制の基本原理であったはずの多国間主義も、「帝国」の行動を掣肘するような原理として働くとは限らないことが明らかになりつつある。残された希望は、それでも多国間の枠組みを活用して無益な戦争を避けようとする国々と、公式の多国間枠組みの外で戦争反対を唱える人々である。国際社会の「多数意思」は、いまや公式の多国間枠組みを見ただけでは判断できなくなっているのだ。

Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.
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Wars begin in the minds of men, and in those minds, love and compassion would have built the defenses of peace.

To be free, to be able to stand up and leave everything behind – without looking back. To say Yes. … To say Yes to life is at one and the same time to say Yes to oneself.
Yes, even to that element in one which is most unwilling to let itself be transformed from a temptation into a strength.
If only I may grow : firmer, simpler – quieter, warmer. The humility which comes from others having faith in you.

A mother is the role model for all UN staff members. A mother is the one who stays up all night when her child is sick. A mother does anything unconditionally to protect her child. A mother doesn’t ask for overtime pay. A mother doesn’t ask for a promotion either.
… And the UN staff members. Why can’t they do the same … for people worldwide who need their help? Why do they talk about their promotion all the time? Why can’t they just think about the people?

Our people, as we often say, are our principal asset.  Yet we don’t invest in them or support them properly.  These are people from many lands, and from diverse cultures and traditions, who represent 80 per cent of the Organization’s resources; who give the world their remarkable skills; who are infused with the ideals of public service; and who are proud to live and breathe the global mission of this Organization.

… the universality of music reminds us in a profound way of our common humanity. All civilizations since the dawn of history have embraced music and venerated musicians, for love of music is a love of life – and as Rubinstein said, “if you love life, life will love you back.”
The United Nations is, ultimately, about love – love for one’s sisters and brothers, and an enduring commitment to reduce suffering and improve the well-being of the most vulnerable. Our organization may not be perfect, but its ideals are.

1.A. Administrative specialists
1.B. Architects, engineers
1.C. Archivists, curators, information specialists and librarians
1.D. Artists
1.E. Economists

1.F. Education specialists
1.G. Jurists
1.H. Life scientists
1.
1.I. Dental, nutrition, medical, nursing and veterinary specialists
1.J. Physical scientists
1.K. Sales and marketing specialists
1.L. Social scientists
1.M. Statisticians and mathematicians
1.N. Transportation specialists
1.O. Writers, translators, interpreters
1.P. Professional, managerial and technical specialists for which no job family exists
1.Q. Postal services specialists
1.R. Environmental specialists
1.S. Relief specialists
1.T. Electronic communications specialists
1.U. Cultural development specialists

Бурные дискуссии относительно поведения председателя Генеральной ассамблеи ООН, бывшего министра иностранных дел Сербии Вука Еремича вызвало его сообщение в Твиттере о том, как он отметил в Нью-Йорке победу теннесиста Новака Джоковича на итоговом чемпионате АТР в Лондоне.
На своей странице Еремич минувшей ночью написал: «Перевернули столы в кафе, Новак чемпион мира!».
На комментарии других пользователей о том, что такое поведение недостойно главы Генассамблеи, он ответил, что такие прецеденты уже были.
Например, и ранее успехи Джоковича на турнире «Мастерс» он также отметил переворачиванием столов в другом баре. Причем в этом действе, по словам Еремича, участвовали «хозяин заведения и еще десяток послов в ООН, в том числе двое европейских».
Такое объяснение еще больше раззадорило сербских пользователей «Твиттера», которые до глубокой ночи продолжали битву с генсеком в комментариях.
Многие стали напоминать Еремичу, что его главная задача в Нью-Йорке — защита интересов Сербии, а не устраивание дебошей в барах, и что его пребывание там оплачивают из своих налогов граждане страны.
Вук Еремич также является президентом Теннисного союза Сербии.

Журавлики также помогли навести мосты между ООН и японскими гражданами.
Для меня, японца, очень важно, что ООН проявляет участие к нам.

The premises of dependency theory are that:

• Poor nations provide natural resources, cheap labor, a destination for obsolete technology, and markets for developed nations, without which the latter could not have the standard of living they enjoy.
• Wealthy nations actively perpetuate a state of dependence by various means. This influence may be multifaceted, involving economics, media control, politics, banking and finance, education, culture, sport, and all aspects of human resource development (including recruitment and training of workers).
• Wealthy nations actively counter attempts by dependent nations to resist their influences by means of economic sanctions and/or the use of military force.

Dependency theory states that the poverty of the countries in the periphery is not because they are not integrated into the world system, or not ‘fully’ integrated as is often argued by free market economists, but because of how they are integrated into the system.

Contributions by Member States to the United Nations regular budget for the year 2011

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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948 sets a common standard to ensure that all human beings are treated equally. The United Nations has advanced and supported democracy and democractic goverance through electoral assistance provided to over 50 countries since 2010 alone. The UN has assisted in milestone elections in many countries, including Afghanistan, Burundi, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Nepal, Sierra Leone, the Sudan, and Timor-Leste. The United Nations has formulated more than 80 treaties and declarations protecting and promoting human rights, for example, banning the participation of children under 18 in armed conflict and prohibiting the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

>During 2011,  the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ) in New York consumed 10,077 cartons of paper, each approximately10 inches tall.. If we were to stack all that paper up, it would build a structure 8,397 feet tall, or over 15 times the height of the Secretariat Building (544 feet).
Printing is not just about paper either, but also about the ink, which not only has environmental but also financial consequences. In 2011, UNHQ in New York spent approximately $1.2 million on toners/cartridges. 60% of that spend was on colour cartridges. Do we really need it? Go easy on the colour.
Less is more, both for the environment and for our budget!

>More than 35 pounds of cocaine was discovered in at least one bag that turned up at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The narcotics were uncovered on January 16 inside hollowed-out books that had been shipped from Mexico City in a bag made to look like a diplomatic pouch.
The bag was being screened at the United Nations’ postal receiving center when the cocaine was discovered.
It lacked a destination address and was without a return address.
Authorities have not located the intended recipient, he said.

>At this time of economic uncertainty and transition, the demands on our Organization continue to grow.  That places immense responsibility on us all.  I thank you, once again, for the commitment and sense of high purpose that you bring to our work each and every day.
Despite these tough times, the true nature of our calling unites us: to help people in need and make the world a better place.  That is the compact that underpins our work — a compact between one another, between Member States and the Secretariat, and between the Organization and the world’s people.
Looking ahead, I pledge to stand by you to create the good working conditions that are so necessary for us to succeed in our mission.  Your commitment, creativity and hard work shape all that we do, and I am proud to serve alongside you.

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The General Assembly closed its main session midday Saturday with the adoption of a $5.15 billion United Nations budget for the 2012-2013 biennium and an unexpected intervention by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who commended Member States for having risen to that challenge with “energy, creativity and an indispensable willingness to make the hard choices”.
In a “collective achievement”, United Nations Member States “found savings, while protecting the Organization’s ability to “get the job done”, the Secretary-General said.  “We worked together and made history,” he declared, by approving a budget by the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) that was lower than the one for the previous biennium.
“All budgets are tough, but this year was particularly difficult, as Governments and peoples everywhere are struggling in this time of financial austerity,” he said, praising the “compact” between Member States and the United Nations Secretariat and all United Nations staff.  Today, member nations kept their promises — to each other and to the world’s people.  In turn, he gave his pledge, and he would instruct all his managers to do the same, to do more and better with less, to make the most of “our precious resources”.
He would ensure that Member States contributions, and that all mandates given to the Secretariat, were fully and efficiently delivered and at a savings.  “You can count on my commitment,” he said, concluding with his best wishes for a “Merry Christmas and a very healthy and happy New Year” for all.

>The 10 worst U.N. Security Council resolutions ever

1. The Somalia Swan Song Resolution: 1863
2. The Condi & Sergei Do-Nothing Iran Resolution: 1835
3. The “We Command You to Stop Killing Your People … Please” Resolution: 1706
4. The Pick Your Terrorist Resolution: 1530
5. The “Trust Me, He’s a Terrorist” Resolutions: 1267 and 1390
6. The Genocide Rescue Brigade That Never Was Resolution: 912
7. The Bosnian Unsafe Haven Resolution:  819
8. The Iraqi Collateral Damage Resolutions: 661 and 687
9. The “You Say Territories I Say Des Territoires” Resolution: 242
10. The “What’s Bad For the Bolsheviks, Is Bad For the Yanks” Resolution: 82

>As the UN budget fight whimpered past 5 am on Christmas Eve, the heralded US drive for reform and transparency came down to a desire to cut $7 million rather than $5 million from the budget of the UN Mission in the Ivory Coast, UNOCI …
Some diplomats lay sleeping on couches on the first and second floors of the North Lawn building; the UN staff required to formalize the votes on Christmas eve waited over cold pizza and hot water without tea bags.
Recorded votes were predicted on the Responsibility to Protect, and the Myanmar item left over from the Third Committee due to Program Budget Implications. “Our colleagues left us the Law of the Sea too,” a representative said, predicting a General Assembly vote by 8 am. Others said noon. We’ll see.

>The International Criminal Court (ICC), governed by the Rome Statute, is the first permanent, treaty based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.
The ICC is an independent international organisation, and is not part of the United Nations system.

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>Please help us make the world a safer place for women and girls by sending a donation today. The United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, managed by UN Women, supports initiatives around the world to bring about real change in the lives of women, girls and their communities. …

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Under the management of Organization of the Office of the Iraq Programme (OIP),
Contracts Processing and Monitoring Division (CPMD) processed applications received from permanent and observer missions in accordance with Resolution 986, an approved distribution plan, and the 661 Committee Procedires. CPMD also supervised the independent inspection agents (Lloyd’s. Cotecna) and was responsible for authenticating the delivery of humanitarian goods into Iraq. CPMD was managed by a director, namely John Almstrom (1998-2000) and Farid Zarif (2000-2004).

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>United Nations Godzilla Countermeasures Center

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>Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor, sent a classified cable to the Foreign Ministry last week, stating that Israel stands no chance of rallying a substantial number of states to oppose a resolution at the UN General Assembly recognizing a Palestinian state in September.

Under the headline “Report from the frontline at the UN,” Prosor – considered one of the most experienced and senior Israeli diplomats – offered a very pessimistic estimate as to Israel’s ability to significantly affect the results of the vote. Even though he did not state so explicitly, Prosor implies that Israel will sustain a diplomatic defeat.

“The maximum that we can hope to gain [at the UN vote] is for a group of states who will abstain or be absent during the vote,” Prosor wrote, adding that his comments are based on more than 60 meetings he held during the past few weeks with his counterparts at the UN. “Only a few countries will vote against the Palestinian initiative,” he wrote.

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