I Love the U.N., but It Is Failing

Source:

New York Times

Duration:

Friday, March 18, 2016 - 00:00

Countries:

Global

PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes:

Conflict Prevention

Peacekeeping

Displacement and Humanitarian Response

Initiative Type:

Statements

This New York Times opinion piece by former United Nations assistant secretary general for field support, Anthony Banbury, explains the reasons why the United Nations is failing to fulfill its original purpose. He points to three main causes - the immense bureaucratic processes, minimal accountability of employees and the push for "political expediency" instead of mission effectiveness. He cites cases in Mali, Sierra Leone, Haiti and the Central African Republic to point to disasters made worse by United Nations peacekeeping missions.

He recommends the creation of an outside panel review board to examine and suggest changes, a cap on administrative expenses, the creation of an independent controller in charge of the budget who reports to the Secretary General, and the implementation of audits on all headquarter operations.

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I Love the U.N., but It Is Failing

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