Suggested Topics For Discussion. Almost exactly 60 years later, we once again find ourselves mired in disillusionment, in an all too imperfect world

Almost exactly 60 years later, we once again find ourselves mired in disillusionment, in an all too imperfect world. It is easy to stand at the sidelines and criticize. And we could talk endlessly about UN reform. But our world no longer has that luxury, the time has come to adapt our collective security system, so that it works efficiently, effectively and equitably.

Time to decide

An equally important proposal is to overhaul the Economic and Social Council, to strengthen its role in social development and in improving knowledge about the economic and social dimensions of security threats. The report also recommends changes to make the Human Rights Commission a better defender of the human rights of people everywhere.

We also need a strengthened UN Secretariat, one that can support the new Peacebuilding Commission and implement more effectively the decisions of the Security Council and other inter-governmental bodies on everything from peacekeeping operations to mediating civil wars. The report envisages a secretariat that is come concerted it is action, and in which the Secretary-General has more responsibility of management and greater accountability.

In his last annual address to Congress in January 1945, Franklin Roosevelt, then America's president, alluded to his plans to create a new collective security institution, the United Nations, had gave warning that: "In our disillusionment after the last war, we gave up the hope of achieving a better peace because we had not the courage to fulfil our responsibilities in an admittedly imperfect world."

Next year, UN member-states will be reviewing progress in implementing the Millennium Declaration adopted in 2000, culminating in a summit of world leaders in New York in September. This will be an appropriate moment for them to act on some of the most important recommendations in the panel's report, which require decisions at the highest levels of government.

I fervently hope that world leaders will rise to this challenge. In the past three years we have all lived through a period of deep division and somber reflection. We must make 2005 a year of bold decision. As the panel simply puts it: "We all share responsibility for each other's security". Let us summon the courage to fulfil that responsibility.

1. The UN: a glance at history.

2. Speak about the current activities of any of the UN main organs.

3. Find information about the issues considered at the year 2000 session of the General Assembly and speak about some of them.

4. Find out about the recent decisions of the Security Council and the way they are implemented.

5. Get ready to speak about some of the urgent issues currently facing the Security Council.

6. Discuss some of the attempts at reforming the United Nations.

7. Find out how much the UN (the UN system) costs and how it is funded.

8. Discuss some of the controversial issues associated with the UN.

9. Prepare a profile of any specialized agency of the UN.

10. Speak about the way Russia (the USA, the UK, etc.) participates in the work of the United Nations.

11. Visit the UN official site and find out about UN-related events this/next week.

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