ABSTRACT
The United Nations (UN) is the most universal forum available; the UN alone is capable of promoting international cooperation and conferring legitimacy to such efforts and actions. Many have pointed out that even if UN-centered initiatives are agreed on and ready to be implemented, there will always be national leaders who, wishing to protect national interest or position, distance themselves from commitment to specific action. The Soviet premier, Nikita Khrushchev, who demanded Hammarskjold's resignation, denounced his actions. Hammarskjold refused to succumb to this pressure and continued to promote UN leadership for the resolution of international crises. The Soka Gakkai International grassroots network of ordinary citizens in support of the UN has now expanded to include 190 countries and territories. These efforts are compelled by Buddhist values and philosophy, which uphold the inviolable dignity of life. This chapter highlights the importance of the three "shared" elements: a shared sense of purpose, a shared sense of responsibility and shared fields of action.
