UN Reform Proposal

I've always had mixed feelings about Kofi Annan as UN secretary general. On the one hand it is certainly good to see an African face in such an influential position, it casts light on what I see as the forgotten continent.

On the other hand such irresponsible positions as casting blame on the US for the bombing of the UN mission in Iraq, after said mission rejected US security details has certainly lead me to doubt his ability not to let emotion cloud his reasoning.

This may be a major weight in the positive direction.

From the new proposal for reform of the United Nations:

Five years into the new millennium, we have it in our power to pass on to our children a brighter inheritance than that bequeathed to any previous generation. We can halve global poverty and halt the spread of major known diseases in the next 10 years. We can reduce the prevalence of violent conflict and terrorism. We can increase respect for human dignity in every land. And we can forge a set of updated international institutions to help humanity achieve these noble goals. If we act boldly — and if we act together — we can make people everywhere more secure, more prosperous and better able to enjoy their fundamental human rights.

Finally someone speaks in the language of progress rather than stagnation. I like an official who can say "we can" rather than "my opponents won't let me!"

Those watching the story will see much coverage of the aspects of the report to do with the West.

• Expanding the Security Council
• A international definition and accord on terrorism
• Better definitions to the requirements for approved use of military force. etc.

Here at the Hot Seat I encourage you the read the whole report including the part which may well be more earth-shaking if the proposal in embraced.

I speak of the Millennium Project Goals, they portion of the report that could "halve major poverty" and "halt major diseases" potentially saving millions of lives.

I won't try to swallow this elephant in one post, but something to think about.

If is would cost the "rich world" pennies on the dollar to end severe poverty worldwide, should they do it?

A link to the report in full, a 1MB PDF document.
Link