Reforming the United Nations: The Quiet Revolution

The context in which the United Nations operates is one of change and re-orientation: change in the political climate, resulting in changes in the tasks the organization is called upon to undertake; re-orientation of the organization’s internal structures and procedures in response to these changes. The principal goals and objectives of the United Nations have been reassessed. This reassessment - highlighted in the Reform Agenda of Secretary-General Kofi Annan and during the Millennium Summit - has led to a re-affirmation by the 189 Member States of their belief in the organization. New forms of consensus and co-operation are developing regarding what the United Nations should be striving to achieve and how best it should be organized to improve its operations. Dr Joachim Muller presents a detailed review of the reform initiatives undertaken during the period from 1996 to 2000, which was of such importance for the evolution of the United Nations. A wealth of information from primary sources is provided, together with an informative analysis of the history of reform within the United Nations since its creation.