If we could at least provide a bit of hope to a few anguished individuals, it would lend meaning to our existence.
Sergio Vieira de Mello (Rio-de-Janeiro 1948 - Baghdad 2003), in referring to his personal involvement with the victims of the war in Bosnia.
Just published :
Planet UN:
Serious food and energy shortages, climate change, terrorism, nuclear threats, the collapse of the international financial system... The modern afflictions of the planet threaten the very existence of future generations. Every nation in the world is affected, and even the superpowers have been shaken. Clearly, a concerted effort on an universal scale is called for.
What better forum than the United Nations to begin this essential dialogue? But is the UN capable of adapting and changing? It must be. Because yet another serious challenge is looming. That of the rich and emerging nation-states, which reinforce one another within the framework of G.20 and other economic forums, assuming the reins of the entire planet, leaving along the wayside the less-developed countries, and at the same time marginalizing the sole international arena where their voices can yet be heard: the United Nations.
Planet UN, which accompanies a documentary film directed by French film-maker Romuald Sciora, presents an in-depth analysis of the United Nations's involvement in the areas of peace, development and human rights. It offers a unique and uncompromising perspective on the international organization as it confronts the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Each chapter starts by an History of the United Nations, and brings together for the very first time in a single volume the testimonies of the last five Secretary-General of the United Nations: Ban Ki-moon, Kofi Annan, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Javier Pérez de Cuélalr and Kurt Waldheim, as well as commentaries by Jacques Chirac, Jean-Marie Colombani, Jean Daniel, Abdou Diouf, Stéphane Hessel, Stanley Hoffmann, Bernard Kouchner, Lewis Lapham, Jean-David Lévitte, John McArthur, Samantha Power, Stephen C. Schlesinger, Joseph Stiglitz, Sashi Tharoor, James Traub, Ted Turner, Hubert Védrine, etc.
Foreword by David D. Roosevelt, postfaces by Noamh Chomsky and Ignacio Ramonet.
Written in French by Romuald Sciora and Annick Stevenson (title: Planète ONU), translated for the English version by Roger Stevenson.
Published with the cooperation of the United Nations.
Editions du Tricorne (Genève), with the support of the Monde diplomatique.
November 2009.
