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United Nations Day
October 24, 2001
Today, the United Nations Association in Canada is proud to celebrate the 56th Anniversary of the United Nations. UN Day is a time both to reflect on the accomplishments of the organization and to consider how best to address the challenges it continues to face. It is also a time to emphasize that the United Nations must be an active player in responding to the recent terrorist attacks in the United States. In the words of Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the UN, “Terrorism will be defeated if the international community summons the will to unite in a broad coalition, or it will not be defeated at all. The United Nations is uniquely positioned to serve as the forum for this coalition, and for the development of those steps Governments must now take - separately and together - to fight terrorism on a global scale.
No institution embodies the global community more than the United Nations. In the last half century the UN and its agencies have, on a shoestring budget, improved the health of millions, acted as a key player in the decolonization movement and assisted with elections in over 70 countries. Additionally, the UN has played a major role in defusing international crises, resolving protracted conflict and ending civil wars. UN relief agencies help to aid and protect more than 25 million refugees and displaced persons throughout the world, and the UN is the premier vehicle for furthering development in poorer countries and providing food aid. The laudable accomplishments of the UN were recognized earlier this month when the organization, along with Secretary-General Annan, was awarded Nobel Peace Prize for 2001.
At the same time, the United Nations still struggles with the difficulties inherent in achieving cooperation between 189 countries characterized by vastly different social, cultural, religious and economic realities. There is no doubt that reforms are required to make the UN more responsive and efficient, but there is little to suggest the institution itself is incapable of facing the global challenges it was set up to address.
Patience, perseverance and the support and engagement of citizens around the globe are needed to ensure a strong United Nations. It is the responsibility of all citizens who believe in the potential of international cooperation to bring about peace and solve economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems to persuade our leaders to put their full weight behind the United Nations. The UN is only as strong as its member states allow it to be, and Canada -- with its solid international reputation -- can play a significant role in bolstering the organization. Today, in the midst of so much uncertainty, is the ideal time to demonstrate our support for the best hope for a peaceful future, the United Nations.
Geoffrey Pearson
National President
Steve Mason
Executive Director
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