Note to Correspondents

“IDEALS & REALITY:  CAN THE UN PROMOTE DEMOCRACY?”

 

SUBJECT OF HEADQUARTERS SEMINAR 2 DECEMBER

 

The United Nations University Office (UNU) at the United Nations in New York and the United Nations Peace and Governance Programme are organizing on
2 December, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the Dag Hammarksjöld Library Auditorium, a panel/book launch entitled “Ideals and Reality:  Can the UN Promote Democracy?”.

The book -- The UN Role in Promoting Democracy:  Between Ideals and Reality, edited by Edward Newman and Roland Rich -- presents the findings of a research project organized jointly by the UNU and the Centre for Democratic Institutions at the AustralianNationalUniversity.

The related panel discussion will focus on the prospects and limitations of the United Nations work in the promotion of democracy, as well as in the broader field of democracy promotion.  More specifically, methods, effectiveness and difficulties of the United Nations work in promoting and assisting democracy in various contemporary settings will be considered.

Examples of questions that will be raised are:  Has the United Nations found the right formula for its involvement in promoting democracy?  Can the United Nations help to build the foundations of democracy?  Can the United Nations have substantive positive impact upon the development of democratic governance inside societies?

The Panel will be chaired by Jean-Marc Coicaud, Head, United Nations University in New York.  Panellists include:  Roland Rich, Director, Centre for Democratic Studies, Australian National University; Edward Newman, Academic Officer, Peace and Governance Programme UN University; Robin Ludwig, Senior Political Officer, Department of Political Affairs, United Nations; Dr. Ylber Hysa, Director, Kosovo Action for Civic Initiatives (KACI); and Robert C. Orr, Assistant Secretary-General, Policy Planning.

Further information, including the agenda and registration, is available online at http://www.ony.unu.edu, or by contacting the New York office at

tel.:  212.963.6387 or jibecke@ony.unu.edu.  The United Nations media, United Nations staff, permanent missions and non-governmental organizations are invited to this event.

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