The relevance of the United Nations for stability in the world | Sigrid Kaag | TEDxKMA
Summary
TLDRThe speaker reflects on the United Nations' 70-year history, emphasizing its mission to prevent atrocities like the Holocaust from recurring. Despite criticisms of inefficiency and lack of transparency, the UN has achieved significant accomplishments, such as establishing UNICEF and the World Health Organization. The speaker calls for a renewed commitment to the UN's values, particularly in the 21st century, to address global challenges like terrorism, poverty, and displacement. They highlight the importance of international cooperation and the need for member states to support the UN's efforts, citing the chemical weapons mission in Syria as an example of the UN's ability to achieve the unexpected when political will and resources align.
Takeaways
- 🌐 The United Nations (UN) was established post-World War II with a mission to prevent global atrocities and promote human rights.
- 📜 The UN Charter emphasizes 'We the People', highlighting a collective responsibility towards humanity.
- 🎥 The film 'The Mission' critiques the UN for issues like lack of accountability and transparency, yet acknowledges its 70 years of accomplishments.
- 👶 UNICEF, WHO, and the World Food Program are examples of UN agencies that have made significant contributions to global welfare.
- 🌱 The speaker advocates for a world of opportunity for all, emphasizing the UN's role in providing hope and security.
- 🌍 Challenges like terrorism, poverty, and displacement are global issues that require international cooperation and cannot be solved unilaterally.
- 🏛️ The UN's voice represents the international community, advocating for values beyond geographical or religious boundaries.
- 🛡️ The chemical weapons mission in Syria exemplifies the UN's ability to achieve the unprecedented, demonstrating political will and international collaboration.
- 💡 The speaker calls for innovation, leadership, and the courage to pursue international solutions to global problems.
- 🔄 Embracing failure as a learning opportunity is crucial for the UN to evolve and effectively address complex global challenges.
Q & A
What was the primary motivation behind the establishment of the United Nations?
-The United Nations was established in the wake of the Second World War, following the tragedy of the Holocaust and widespread human suffering. The motivation was to ensure that such atrocities do not happen again, with the charter speaking of 'We the People' and aiming to prevent future global conflicts.
What does the UN aim to achieve in the 21st century?
-In the 21st century, the UN aims to continue its mission of promoting peace, security, and human rights for all, while adapting to new challenges such as terrorism, poverty, migration, and conflict. It seeks to provide a platform for collective action and to ensure that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard.
How does the UN address the criticism of lack of accountability and transparency?
-The UN acknowledges the criticisms and strives to improve accountability and transparency. It works towards professionalizing its operations, being more efficient, and ensuring that member states are actively engaged in making the system work effectively.
What role does the UN play in humanitarian aid and protection?
-The UN plays a significant role in humanitarian aid and protection through organizations like UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the World Food Program. These organizations work to feed children, protect people from famine and conflict, and provide hope to those in need.
Why is the UN's involvement in conflict prevention and management important?
-The UN's involvement in conflict prevention and management is crucial because it tackles problems at their root, requires political courage, and often involves addressing issues that no single country can solve alone. It ensures a collective approach to global challenges.
What was the significance of the chemical weapons mission in Syria?
-The chemical weapons mission in Syria was significant because it was an unprecedented effort to lead a mission during wartime to destroy chemical weapons by removing them from the country. This action was aimed at making Syria safer and providing an entry point for a political solution.
How does the UN demonstrate its commitment to 'We the People'?
-The UN demonstrates its commitment to 'We the People' by advocating for human rights, access to education, health, employment, and equal rights for all, regardless of where they are born. It works to ensure that the most vulnerable have a voice and access to the resources they need.
What is the importance of international solutions to global problems according to the script?
-International solutions to global problems are important because local issues have become global, and no single country can address them alone. The UN provides a platform for collective action, allowing countries to work together to find solutions that respect human rights and promote global stability.
How does the UN approach the issue of failure in its operations?
-The UN views failure as an opportunity to learn and improve. It encourages a culture of innovation, leadership, and the courage to tackle challenges, even when the odds are against success. This approach allows the organization to adapt and grow in the face of adversity.
What is the role of the Ministry of Defense in the context of the UN's work?
-The Ministry of Defense plays a role in supporting UN missions, such as providing resources and personnel for peacekeeping and security operations. It is part of the broader effort to ensure collective security and to uphold the values enshrined in the UN Charter.
Why is it essential for member states to invest in the UN system?
-Member states must invest in the UN system because it reflects and speaks for all of them, advocating for shared values based on human rights for all. Investment is necessary to ensure the system's effectiveness in addressing global challenges and to uphold the collective interests of the international community.
Outlines
🌐 The United Nations: A Journey of 70 Years
The speaker takes the audience on a journey through the 70-year history of the United Nations, emphasizing its establishment post-World War II as a response to the Holocaust and widespread human suffering. The UN's founding principle is 'We the People,' highlighting its mission to prevent such atrocities from recurring. Despite criticisms of the UN's bureaucracy and lack of transparency, the speaker points out the organization's significant accomplishments, such as the creation of UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the World Food Program, which have provided aid, protection, and hope to millions. The speaker calls for a renewed commitment to the UN's values in the 21st century, focusing on shared humanity and the need for a different, better world for all. The challenges of the modern era, including terrorism and conflict, are addressed, with the speaker arguing for a collective, international response rather than isolationism. The importance of investing in the UN system and holding it accountable is also stressed, as it is a reflection of shared values and a platform for those without a voice.
🛡️ The Power of International Cooperation: Chemical Weapons and Beyond
The speaker discusses the UN's role in unprecedented missions, such as the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria during wartime, which was a collaborative effort that defied the odds. This mission, undertaken without a pre-existing plan due to its novelty, exemplifies the UN's capacity to achieve the unexpected with political will, support, and resources. The speaker expresses pride in the Netherlands' contribution to this mission and emphasizes the importance of international solutions to global problems. The necessity of thinking and working internationally is underscored, as local issues have become global, and no single country can address them alone. The speaker calls for innovation, leadership, and the courage to act, acknowledging that failure is a part of learning and growth. The UN's role in conflict prevention and management is highlighted, with a call for investment in these areas as a means to address problems at their roots.
🌟 Embracing Failure as a Path to Success
In this segment, the speaker reflects on the importance of embracing failure as a necessary part of tackling the unthinkable or the unknown. The courage and leadership required to face such challenges are emphasized, with the speaker advocating for a shift towards international solutions rather than isolation. The role of the Ministry of Defense as a strong partner in international efforts is recognized, and the speaker calls for investment not only in physical protection but also in conflict prevention and management. The message is clear: solutions to global issues are not easy and require negotiation, but change is inevitable. The speaker concludes by celebrating the work done for 'We the People,' in collaboration with the private sector, civil society, and networks of courageous individuals, whose efforts, though often unrecognized, are essential in honoring the flag and the principles it represents.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡United Nations (UN)
💡Humanity
💡Accountability
💡Human Rights
💡Conflict and Security
💡International Community
💡Sustainability
💡Innovation
💡Political Will
💡Global Challenges
💡Courage
Highlights
The United Nations was established in the wake of the second world war to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
The UN Charter speaks of 'We the People', emphasizing the organization's focus on serving humanity.
Criticism of the UN system includes a lack of accountability and transparency, but there are also 70 years of accomplishments to consider.
The UN's mission is to save humanity from the worst, not to lead it to perfection.
UNICEF, WHO, and the World Food Program are examples of organizations that have made a significant impact on the ground.
The UN is about values and hope, aiming for a better world for all.
The world's complexity is not an excuse for inaction; the UN must address global issues like terrorism, poverty, and conflict.
Religion is often misused to justify conflicts; the UN stands for a voice of peace and unity.
The UN's voice represents the international community, advocating for those without a voice.
The UN needs to be more accountable and professional in its operations.
Member states, including the Netherlands, must believe in and support the UN system to make it work effectively.
The chemical weapons mission in Syria was an unprecedented success, demonstrating the UN's ability to act in challenging circumstances.
Political will, support, and resources are crucial for the UN to achieve its goals, as shown by the Netherlands' role in the Syria mission.
The UN can lead by example where no single country can act alone, particularly in addressing global issues.
Local problems have become global, necessitating international solutions and collective action.
The UN's work is ultimately an investment in sustainability, security, and a better world for all.
Innovation, leadership, and the courage to act are required to achieve the UN's ambitious agenda.
Acceptance of failure is part of the courage needed to tackle the unthinkable or the unknown in international work.
The UN's work is for 'We the People', and it requires the support of individuals and nations to honor its mission.
Transcripts
[Music]
I'd just like to take you as the film
will show as well I'd like to take you
on a brief moment in time on a journey a
journey which is our Collective Journey
which is for Humanity whether you work
nationally or internationally but it's
based on values the journey is one of 70
years 70 years of un you may recall it
was established in the wake of the of
the second world war following the
tragedy of the Holocaust and Humane and
human suffering all over Europe and
Beyond um the in camps of internment uh
in Asia etc etc humans decided we
politicians decided this cannot happen
again this is for Humanity the charter
was established and it spoke of We the
People the UN was always meant to be
about We the People long before before
we got this colossal Machinery many of
you and I think I haven't yet seen the
film The Mission but if I look by the
trailer I think there's some critique
and criticism of the system the
organization the lack of the lack of
accountability transparency a whole list
of sort of pretty classic Dutch
complaints if I may say so however
there's another world there's a world of
70 years of accomplishment if we go back
to Doug hmer who said the UN was not
established to lead mankind into heaven
but to save it from hell we have to go
back to that basic particularly in the
21st century 70 years however when
UNICEF was established World Health
Organization world food program many
many organizations that maybe you have
seen in the field that you know that
actually fed children protected people
from famine protected people from
conflict and gave them hope I believe
and I think also Ministry of Defense
colleagues we're in the business of
values and hope but what will it take to
succeed to achieve that different and
better world for all if we think and I
fundamentally believe the UN is always
about We the People a different world a
world of opportunity for everybody
everywhere at the same time how do we
need to work now in the 21st century we
know that the easy way out particularly
in Europe but not only is to say the
world is too complex I can't understand
understand it well they're fighting in
the Middle East oh dear oh dear it must
be religion well I think as our
colleague before who spoke before me has
shown no not quite it's not about
religion religion is manipulated is
exploited is is De demonstrating to
people as if it's the only way there for
the extremist way no such thing the
voice of the UN is the voice of the
International Community it's about
yourselves spending time here today it's
about the voters it's about politicians
it's about the people who have no voice
we the people of the UN Charter is about
that shared Humanity but particularly of
those who have no access no voice no
means but what will it take to do a
better job for all of them if the
classic choic is let's stay at home
let's not travel there let's not take
the car to Luxembourg I I hear it's
dangerous back there fine we you are
lucky to live in a safe place but as
today's challenges have shown the 21st
century Brussels Beirut bamako and the
next Terror or extremist attack will
happen it's not a matter of if it's a
matter of when so if our security and
our shared Humanity means we need to
share and do things differently we also
need to invest in that very system and I
hate to say system here now that
actually reflects and speaks for all of
us that has shared value is based on
human rights for all not just living in
the Benelux or in an oecd or EU country
human rights for all access to education
Access to Health employment opportunity
equal rights for women LGBT there's a
whole agenda that we are comfortable
with in the Netherlands and yet we think
others could just wait a little longer
that is the UN however what we fail to
do as a system is perhaps to act quickly
be prompt be efficient particularly that
nice Dutch efficiency be task oriented
have the results is that a system error
to some extent yes we need to be much
more accountable we need to
professionalize the way we do business
but we also need to know that those who
own us member states Netherlands and the
192 others they really believe and make
that system work to the best of its
ability because others need it want it
there is no choice but to stand for that
blue flag hopefully not need the helmet
but when you have to put on the helmet
or Ministry of Defense colleagues
volunteer to go and wear that helmet for
the sake of others it is because it is
for them but also for a collective sense
of security and Humanity I'd like to
take a step out because there was
mention of the chemical weapons Mission
and it was an example of where the
system the United Nations which is
really all of us can actually do
something something that was
unprecedented leading a mission at a
time of War destroying chemical weapons
by taking them out of Syria at a time of
war against the odds without a plan
actually and I think that's kind of
uncomfortable there was no plan because
it hadn't been done before uh there was
no plan to destroy it at Sea because it
never happened before we didn't know
what we started but all we knew was
there was a mission there was a goal and
somehow in between it has to happen
because it made Syria we hoped a little
bit safer and it provided that entry
point to a political solution that was
so desperately needed in Syria so
disarmament was about the political
solution for Syria and the region why
did we do it because we had political
support unequivocally from the security
Council and also from countries like the
Netherlands my own country made me feel
very proud that I got the staff the
resources Ministry of Defense was always
a phone call away to say what do you
need this demonstrates political will
support assets and money the United
Nations we the people can do the
unexpected the unprecedented and can
lead by example where no country can go
it alone and do it alone most of the
countries in the world are too small
they need to participate and be part of
that family of Nations to in order to
have their voice heard but also to
influence change at the same time the
bigger countries like to be part of the
family of Nations because it's not seen
as setting an agenda so my ask of course
is if the example of disarmament and
that the Ebola Mission unir known to
some of you and again the Netherlands
also played an important role if we can
do it in this way how can we change and
push politically an operationally to
achieve the change we want to see I
believe that there is no other way but
to think and work internationally two
reasons one of them local problems have
become Global as the scorge of terrorism
has shown but poverty uh migration out
of poverty conflict which drives the
biggest ever displacement and Refugee
crisis that we've seen in modern day
from Syria and the region no bilateral
solution helps European responses
bilateral are insufficient and they may
actually be counter human rights
treaties we always always pride
ourselves on thinking collectively
working collectively is the only way to
arrive at that point where you can go
back and say we serve the community of
Nations we believe that human rights are
equal and everywhere regardless of where
you are born but precisely because you
are born in a place which is not the
Netherlands which is not EU which
doesn't have sort of the happiness index
at the highest ranking we are here for
you and this is ultimately also for the
Netherlands the best investment in
sustainability security safety and that
better world that we need but it needs
Innovation it needs leadership and the
courage to walk the talk and that would
be my last Point failure we always pred
ourselves that we've done so well I mean
I think the public sector in the
Netherlands is sort of the same we fear
the criticism when something hasn't gone
quite well oh let from Parliament the
minister has to respond I know that's
would be the Dutch national example in
the UN it's the same questions by the
security Council journalists member
states donors that say hang on a minute
I have to justify this to my taxpayers
but without failure we don't learn and
the Syria chemical weapons example
Frankly Speaking 99% of the odds were
stacked stacked against any success I
would look back and say I remember at
the time when the Secretary General
called me to say Miss KAG we'd like to
offer you this leadership position I
said yes and when I arrived later on to
sort of start to establish first thing I
did was call my husband and said didn't
think about this very well I have no
clue and it wasn't about the fact that I
knew nothing about chemical weapons is
was I that I understood that nobody else
knew what to do as well however I said
yes and in classic fashion I think what
you said what you sort of
what I don't know how that translates at
the moment so
um and then you just put your heart into
it but with support but an acceptance of
failure when you try to do the
unthinkable or the unknown is part of
actually the courage that we need and
the leadership models that we require
going it bilaterally to me is just not
even a question to answer there is no
alternative but if we believe in
international solutions to questions
that no longer are just local or let's
look away because it will just disappear
think internationally and I believe the
ministry of defense is one of those very
strong Partners the believe it if you
believe in international Solutions
you've got to invest not just in the
helmet you've got to invest in Conflict
prevention in Conflict Management you've
got to tackle problems at their roote
and that is tough and that requires
political courage to basically deliver
the message that the solutions are never
easy and need to be negotiated but
change is coming and I believe we are
working for we the people with the
private sector with civil society with
networks of courageous individuals we
whose names we'll never know but they
deserve to be covered with the flag
because they honor their flag and it's
about we the people and thank you very
[Music]
much
[Music]
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