ABSTRACT
The third UN comprises many different groups pursuing many different issues. In many countries there are UN associations which are among the best informed on UN issues and of the most committed in support. Another of the most active is SID, the Society for International Development, initially mostly focused on aid and development but in the 1970s broadening debate and concern within the global economic and political system. In the 1970s SID created the North South Roundtable, which soon achieved influence within the UN and Bretton Woods Institutions. One of the most memorable meetings under the author's Chairmanship was on peace, security and disarmament, held in Costa Rica in 1990, with the support of Oscar Arias, the country's Nobel Prize-winning President. He opened the meeting and played a leading part. A small but distinguished group was present including Robert McNamara, formerly President of the World Bank and before that US Secretary of State for Defense.
