ABSTRACT
We must now seize this historic opportunity and create a Second Generation United Nations. This can be done by returning to the basic principles of the Charter and the vision of the founders of the Organization.
Our proposals for a Second Generation United Nations represent an attempt to learn from the past mistakes and shortcomings of the Organization and, indeed, the League of Nations before it. One core lesson is that, in order to secure success in humanity’s search for peace and prosperity for all, countries need to overcome the tendency to favour national priorities and targets at the expense of international goals which recognize the solidarity of all peoples. Our proposals centre around a pre-eminent General Assembly, a rejuvenated ECOSOC and a refocused Trusteeship Council. We believe that these, along with the detailed changes in the structure and functioning of the United Nations system to make it more efficient and just, should lead to the revitalization of the Organization fifty years after its inception.
We suggest that detailed and specific recommendations be proposed for adoption by the fifty-first session of the General Assembly, which should be designated the ‘enabling’ or ‘implementing’ session. The session should also designate 1997 as the Year of the Second Generation United Nations. The time for studies and reflection should be over. It is now time for action.
