United Nations Association of Minnesota

Adopted by United Nations Association of Minnesota Board on October 8, 2001

              I.      Terrorism is a scourge against humanity, a global problem that calls for global cooperation. Working with other nations, we can and must root out the worldwide networks of terrorists and bring terrorists and their accomplices to trial for their evil crimes. This can be accomplished by skillful diplomacy within the framework of international law and the International Criminal Court (ICC), use of existing intelligence and police agencies, heightened domestic vigilance, and greater awareness of and credible concern about global conditions that give rise to terrorism.

           II.      First and foremost, the United Nations must use all of the tools at its disposal to contain conflict and avoid the onset of a broader war between nations or regions in dispute.

         III.      In the longer-term view, peace requires justice. Many of the existing UN programs can be reformed and strengthened to this end, some areas include:

1.      Strengthen global health initiatives including a war on the HIV/AIDS pandemic and investments in public health infrastructure in developing countries to deal with biological threats.

2.      Strengthen Human Rights monitoring and reporting and give some teeth to enforcement of already accepted human rights standards and encourage the United States to ratify treaties on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and The Convention on All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

3.      Reform the International Labor Organization (ILO) to provide a much more vigorous effort in the protection of already agreed upon labor standards and workers rights, including the right of freedom of association, and the right to unionize and protections of the health and safety of workers.

4.      Integrate labor standards and environmental protections into World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements. Make WTO decisions transparent, democratic and inclusive of representatives of civil society and developing nations. Change WTO focus to fair trade rather than free trade.

5.      Strengthen the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) monitoring and reporting of environmental problems and provide incentives for the adoption of clean technology and reduced fossil fuel consumption. Promote clean air, water and sanitation standards in developing countries and establish effective programs for technology sharing and technical assistance with monitoring and enforcement. Support the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(“Kyoto Protocol”)

6.      Reform the UN Conference of Trade of Development (UNCTAD) to focus on local small-scale economic development, which provides sustainable outputs of the basic necessities (food, clothing and shelter) as a top priority, rather than large-scale export industry.

7.      Reform the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group to improve transparency and representation of developing countries. Focus resources on sustainable local development rather than mega projects, which benefit few and can cause extensive environmental damage.

8.      Increase investment in education in all countries as the cornerstone of global understanding in the 21^st Century. The United States should take a leadership role and rejoin the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

9.      Provide incentives so that global military expenditures could be converted into addressing basic needs turning “swords into plowshares”. Work to eliminate stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction and promote treaties banning the production and testing of such weapons.

10.   Forgive third world debt in exchange for cooperation and investment in: education, environment, public health, human rights and political democratization, and protection of minority and indigenous peoples rights.

Dear reader: your thoughts and imput are desired,  please send them to info@unamn.org