NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS `UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM IN 21ST CENTURY' SUBJECT

Press Release

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS `UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM IN 21ST CENTURY' SUBJECT

OF UN UNIVERSITY PUBLIC FORUM

The United Nations University launched a major long-term research initiative on "the United Nations System in the 21st Century" at a symposium held at UNU headquarters in Tokyo from 21-22 November. The objective of the six-year research programme is to explore and suggest possible models for international organizations, especially the United Nations, that would best meet the needs of the international community in the twenty-first century. Specific research topics include international security, sustainable development, regionalism and global citizenship.

An immediate follow-up to this symposium, UNU will hold a high level Public Forum on 18 December from 3 to 6 p.m. at United Nations Headquarters (conference room 6) in New York. Secretariat staff, Permanent Missions and United Nations media representatives are invited to this event.

The purpose of the Public Form is to make widely known the outcome of the Tokyo Symposium, including the long-term research and training activities to be undertaken by the University. A related objective is to promote an exchange of views between representatives of the diplomatic community, officials of the Secretariat, academics and representatives of the non- governmental organizations, in an effort to provide indications of the concerns of these groups so that they may be factored into the University's research activities.

The panel discussion will be opened by Diogo Freitas do Amaral, President of the General Assembly, and will include a presentation of the results of the symposium followed by a panel discussion. Panelists will be drawn from senior levels of the diplomatic community, the United Nations Secretariat and the academic community.

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