October 24

1945, the United Nations Charter-- the constitution of the United Nations-- was ratified by the five founding members: China, France, Soviet Union, Great Britain and the USA. The United Nations Charter was earlier signed by 50 original member countries, on June 26, 1945.

October 24 came to be known as the United Nations Day.

The United Nation's predecessor, the League of Nations, was formed in 1919... World War II was a major impetus towards further development of the U.N. as a necessary organization for global security and peace...

While many have criticized the U.N. left and right for various reasons, it has played a crucial role in the world arena... Many should remember that international law and international organizations often play a symbolic and 'expressive' role without which there can be no hope for any action or practice... If we can formulate the right aspirations for humanity, then we can also act out on those!

Like every other organization, the U.N. has to rely on its members' willingness and commitment in furthering global goals... Therefore, it is simply wrong to criticize it for any perceived shortcomings when its members fall short in their level of commitment.

Text-message for peace...

In 1981 the UN General Assembly declared, in a resolution sponsored by Costa Rica, the third Tuesday of September (the opening day of regular sessions of the General Assembly) as the International Day of Peace devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace. Later September 21 became to be known as the day for global cease-fire and peace.

The Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called to text-message for peace around the globe. "I use electronic communications all the time, but honestly – this is a little embarrassing – I have zero friends online. But you – collectively – can reach tens of thousands of people in an instant. You can mobilize way beyond your clique, beyond your community, even beyond the borders of your own country. That is the power you have and I count on it – your power to make this world different when you become leaders, and even before.” (here)

If our technological sophistication has allowed us to destroy the world by one push of a button, we should also be able to ensure for long-lasting peace...

World Environment Day

UN is celebrating the World Environment Day today. On the occasion, and calling to end the world carbon addiction, the Secretary General has stated, "Addiction is a terrible thing. It consumes and controls us, makes us deny important truths and blinds us to the consequences of our actions.” (here) Well said.

As a number-one contributor to the global warming, the United States should seriously take steps to confront and stop this addiction...

UN summit on global food crisis

The UN summit with world leaders gathering in Rome today is calling to confront the global food crisis/catastrophe. The Secretary-General has reiterated, "As I have said before, I say again now: Beggar Thy Neighbour food policies cannot work,” meaning that price controls and limits on exports are not helping any longer (see here). An estimated 850 million people around the world had a food shortage even before the current crisis. That number is estimated to grow by another 100 million... Only in Ethiopia as of today there are 176,000 children in urgent need for therapeutic care as a result of severe malnutrition and about 3.4 million people need food (see the story).

(photo credit)