The United Nations at Eighty: Achievements, Challenges, Prospects

The Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs presents a panel discussion examining the history, legacy and ongoing work of the United Nations.

The United Nations is currently in its 80th session since its founding in 1945. The theme of the 80th session is “Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.” Yet the postwar international order is under considerable strain, with major challenges to peace, development and human rights. Moreover, the UN itself is facing internal financial and operational challenges. Finally, a new secretary general will be chosen this year, always a complicated and sometimes divisive process. This panel brings together three distinguished former United Nations officials to discuss the successes and failures of the UN over its 80-year history, and what to expect from the UN going forward.

Panelists

Catherine Bertini
Former Executive Director, UN World Food Program

Catherine Bertini was named the 2003 World Food Prize Laureate for her ten-year leadership at the World Food Program and for the positive impact she had on the lives of women. She also served as under secretary general for management of the UN.  She is professor emerita of practice of public administration and international affairs at the Maxwell School and the board chair of the Global Crop Diversity Trust.

Dr. John Mathiason
Former Deputy Director of the UN Division for the Advancement of Women

Dr. Mathiason worked for the United Nations for more than two decades. He served in the Office for Program Planning and Coordination, the Department of Technical Cooperation for Development, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and the United Nations Development Program. Dr. Mathiason was an Adjunct Professor of International Relations, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University. 

Dr. Lamin J. Sise
Former Senior Advisor to Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations

Dr. Sise worked for the United Nations for thirty years. Other positions he held at the UN included deputy legal adviser of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, senior officer in the UN Office of Legal Affairs and senior officer of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).

Moderator

Lionel C. Johnson
Professor of Practice, Public Administration and International Affairs Department.

Professor Johnson is president of the Pacific Pension and Investment Institute. He was a member of the U.S. Foreign Service and served as deputy assistant secretary of the treasury and assistant to three secretaries of state.

This event is co-sponsored by the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration (PARCC).