The Role of U.N. in The Role of U.N. in Understanding Understanding GlobalizationGlobalization

By By MarkandeyMarkandey RaiRai

United Nations Human Settlements United Nations Human Settlements ProgrammeProgrammePO.BoxPO.Box--3003030030Nairobi, KenyaNairobi, Kenya

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Globalization is a process which is perceived and Globalization is a process which is perceived and understood differently by researchers of various understood differently by researchers of various disciplines. Mainly it is understood in terns of disciplines. Mainly it is understood in terns of global economic prosperity and better standard of global economic prosperity and better standard of living. It has been seen as a discipline which will living. It has been seen as a discipline which will influence everybody. Globalization had economic, influence everybody. Globalization had economic, political, cultural and technological aspects that political, cultural and technological aspects that may be closely intertwined.may be closely intertwined.

SummarySummary•• This presentation will discuss the role of United This presentation will discuss the role of United

Nations in understanding the Globalization Nations in understanding the Globalization through its decisions and actions not only in through its decisions and actions not only in terms of economic globalization which is terms of economic globalization which is considered to be number one threat to the considered to be number one threat to the sustainability of natural world. The UN sustainability of natural world. The UN Millennium Development Goals which range from Millennium Development Goals which range from halving extreme poverty to ensure sustainable halving extreme poverty to ensure sustainable development through developing global development through developing global partnershippartnership-- all to achieve by 2015 is a major all to achieve by 2015 is a major challenge and requires full commitment of challenge and requires full commitment of everybody at all levels.everybody at all levels.

Main UN Events to DiscussMain UN Events to Discuss

MilleniumMillenium Declaration and Declaration and MDG’sMDG’sThe UN World Summit on Sustainable The UN World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002 (Rio+10)Development (WSSD) in 2002 (Rio+10)World Summit 2005 World Summit 2005 To address the globalization phenomenon To address the globalization phenomenon which is not only the solution of several which is not only the solution of several problems rather it is itself a problem.problems rather it is itself a problem.

About United NationAbout United Nation--A ViewA ViewThere was an earnest debate between Churchill and There was an earnest debate between Churchill and

Roosevelt about whether You’ve got peace and stability Roosevelt about whether You’ve got peace and stability guaranteed through an open international body or guaranteed through an open international body or Whether you got it from a cartel of great powers. And in Whether you got it from a cartel of great powers. And in fact, the UN Charter they hammered out is a fact, the UN Charter they hammered out is a ompromiseompromisebetween the two. I'm quite convinced that if we don't between the two. I'm quite convinced that if we don't have some international mechanisms for helping to have some international mechanisms for helping to defuse crisis situations and for helping to advance defuse crisis situations and for helping to advance particular agendas we'd be in a worse shape than we particular agendas we'd be in a worse shape than we are now are now ---- and we're not in a very good shape, God help and we're not in a very good shape, God help us. But I don't buy the "us. But I don't buy the "globalistglobalist federation of the world" federation of the world" stuff because the independent great powers are not stuff because the independent great powers are not going to go into it.going to go into it.-- Paul Kennedy, UN HistorianPaul Kennedy, UN Historian

……..for all its faults and failures, the UN is a ..for all its faults and failures, the UN is a remarkable existence, historically remarkable existence, historically unprecedented. UN agencies may be inefficient unprecedented. UN agencies may be inefficient but they kill fewer people than the imperial but they kill fewer people than the imperial regimes they replaced. It may not have brought regimes they replaced. It may not have brought universal democracy, but UN election monitoring universal democracy, but UN election monitoring has changed the face of many countries. Where has changed the face of many countries. Where the UN succeeds, in El Salvador or Namibia, the UN succeeds, in El Salvador or Namibia, there are many others to claim credit; where it there are many others to claim credit; where it fails fails --as is the norm in foreign policy as is the norm in foreign policy --everyone everyone finds it easy to blame the UN.finds it easy to blame the UN.

--PAUL KENNEDY, UN PAUL KENNEDY, UN HISTORIAN, AUTHOR OF THE PARLIAMENT HISTORIAN, AUTHOR OF THE PARLIAMENT OF MANOF MAN

Charter of The United NationsCharter of The United NationsWE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINEDDETERMINEDto save succeeding generations from the scourge of to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, other sources of international law can be maintained, and and to promote social progress and better standards of to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,life in larger freedom,

Charter of the United NationCharter of the United NationAND FOR THESE ENDSAND FOR THESE ENDSTo practice tolerance and live together in peace with To practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good one another as good neighboursneighbours, and , and To unite our strength to maintain international peace To unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and and security, and To ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the To ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and used, save in the common interest, and To employ international machinery for the promotion To employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,peoples,

Charter of the United NationCharter of the United Nation

HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMSEFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMSAccordingly, our respective Governments, Accordingly, our respective Governments, through representatives assembled in the through representatives assembled in the city of San Francisco, who have exhibited city of San Francisco, who have exhibited their full powers found to be in good and due their full powers found to be in good and due form, have agreed to the present Charter of form, have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish the United Nations and do hereby establish an international organization to be known as an international organization to be known as the United Nations. the United Nations.

UNITED NATIONSUNITED NATIONS

United Nations work mainly in the broader area United Nations work mainly in the broader area of:of:

•• Peace and Security, Peace and Security, •• Economic and Social Development, Economic and Social Development, •• Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs and Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs and •• International Law.International Law.

What is GlobalizationWhat is Globalization

Globalization is an umbrella term for a Globalization is an umbrella term for a complex series of economic, social, complex series of economic, social, technological, and political changes seen as technological, and political changes seen as increasing interdependence and interaction increasing interdependence and interaction between people and companies in disparate between people and companies in disparate locations. locations. The phenomenon has been noted since the The phenomenon has been noted since the 1980 in the context of sociological study on 1980 in the context of sociological study on a worldwide scale.a worldwide scale.

“Globalization” as a “Globalization” as a process process

Economically and socially positive: Economically and socially positive: As an engine of As an engine of commerce: one which brings an increased standard commerce: one which brings an increased standard of livingof living--prosperity prosperity Economically, Socially and ecologically negative:Economically, Socially and ecologically negative: As As an engine of corporate imperialism; one which an engine of corporate imperialism; one which temples over the human rights of the developing temples over the human rights of the developing societies, claims to bring prosperity, yet often societies, claims to bring prosperity, yet often simply amounts to plundering and profiteering. simply amounts to plundering and profiteering. Negative effects include cultural assimilation via Negative effects include cultural assimilation via cultural imperialism, the export of artificial wants, cultural imperialism, the export of artificial wants, and the destruction or inhibition of authentic local and the destruction or inhibition of authentic local and global community, ecology and culture. and global community, ecology and culture.

International Monitory Funds (IMF) International Monitory Funds (IMF) definesdefines

Globalization as the growing Globalization as the growing economic interdependence of economic interdependence of countries worldwide through countries worldwide through increasing volume and variety of increasing volume and variety of crosscross--boarder transactions in goods boarder transactions in goods and services, free international and services, free international capital flows, and more rapid and capital flows, and more rapid and widespread diffusion of technology. widespread diffusion of technology.

GLOBALIZATIONGLOBALIZATION

In summary, all definitions appear to In summary, all definitions appear to agree that globalization has agree that globalization has economic, political, cultural and economic, political, cultural and technological aspects that may be technological aspects that may be closely intertwinedclosely intertwined

Globalization and Globalization and internationalization internationalization

Many use it as substitute or alternative Many use it as substitute or alternative In internationalization, the role of the In internationalization, the role of the state and the importance of nations are state and the importance of nations are greatergreaterWhile globalization in its complete form While globalization in its complete form eliminates nation states. eliminates nation states. Internationalization never turned into Internationalization never turned into globalization (the European Union and globalization (the European Union and NAFTA are yet to prove their case). NAFTA are yet to prove their case).

GlobalizationGlobalization

Globalization is an imagined geography; Globalization is an imagined geography; that is political tool of ruling neothat is political tool of ruling neo--liberalist, liberalist, who are attempting to use certain images who are attempting to use certain images and discourses of world politics to justify and discourses of world politics to justify their political agendas. their political agendas. Britton Woods institutions demand forBritton Woods institutions demand forliberalization under Structural Adjustment liberalization under Structural Adjustment programmesprogrammes for globalizationfor globalization

GlobalizationGlobalization-- A Holistic ApproachA Holistic Approach

Globalization should be analyzed on along Globalization should be analyzed on along time frame, historically deep and time frame, historically deep and geographically wide geographically wide it refers to a much wide and deeper it refers to a much wide and deeper human rendezvous human rendezvous It should be seen in a holistic approach It should be seen in a holistic approach which includes human culture in its which includes human culture in its diversity also. diversity also.

UN Role in GlobalizationUN Role in Globalization

UN main role in globalization process is that it UN main role in globalization process is that it follows holistic approach and gives enough follows holistic approach and gives enough emphasis on globalization of culture also emphasis on globalization of culture also UN role in peace keeping and peace building, UN role in peace keeping and peace building, sustainable development, climate change, global sustainable development, climate change, global warming, prevention of HIV/AIDS, Trade, warming, prevention of HIV/AIDS, Trade, eradication of poverty, addressing terrorism, eradication of poverty, addressing terrorism, nuclear non proliferation etc…………nuclear non proliferation etc…………

UN Millennium UN Millennium Development GoalsDevelopment Goals

Eradicate extreme povertyEradicate extreme povertyAchieve universal primary educationAchieve universal primary educationpromote gender equality and empower promote gender equality and empower womenwomenreduce child mortalityreduce child mortalityImprove maternal healthImprove maternal healthCombat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseasesdiseasesEnsure environmental sustainabilityEnsure environmental sustainabilityDevelop a global partnership for Develop a global partnership for developmentdevelopment

UNUN--HABITATHABITAT

UNUN--HABITAT is responsible for the HABITAT is responsible for the Goal 7 Target 11 and also for Target Goal 7 Target 11 and also for Target 10 of the 10 of the MDG’sMDG’s which states “to which states “to improve the quality of life of at least improve the quality of life of at least 100 million populations in slum. 100 million populations in slum.

2005 World Summit2005 World Summit

In Para 56 (m) resolved that In Para 56 (m) resolved that ““to achieve significant improvement in the lives to achieve significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slumof at least 100 million slum--dwellers by 2020, dwellers by 2020, recognizing the urgent need for the provision of recognizing the urgent need for the provision of increased resources for affordable housing and increased resources for affordable housing and housinghousing-- related infrastructure, prioritizing slum related infrastructure, prioritizing slum prevention and slum upgrading, and to prevention and slum upgrading, and to encourage support for the United Nations encourage support for the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation and its Slum Upgrading Facilityand its Slum Upgrading Facility.”.”

Table 1 Population of Slum Areas in 1990, Table 1 Population of Slum Areas in 1990, 2001, 2005 and Annual Slum Growth Rate2001, 2005 and Annual Slum Growth Rate

Region Region % Slum in % Slum in 1990 1990

% slum in % slum in 2001 2001

%slum in %slum in 2005 2005

Slum Slum Annual Annual Growth Growth

World World 31.3 31.3 31.2 31.2 31.2 31.2 2.22 2.22

Developed Developed 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 0.72 0.72

Developing Developing 46.5 46.5 42.7 42.7 41.4 41.4 2.37 2.37

World Summit 2005World Summit 2005

►► The Assembly of Heads of State and The Assembly of Heads of State and Government recognized the valuable role of Government recognized the valuable role of the major United Nations conferences and the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related summits in the economic, social and related fields, including the Millennium Summit, in fields, including the Millennium Summit, in mobilizing the international community at mobilizing the international community at local, national, and regional and global local, national, and regional and global levels and in guiding the work of the United levels and in guiding the work of the United Nations.Nations.

2005 World summit Outcome2005 World summit Outcome

►► The major outcome of the World Summit was to The major outcome of the World Summit was to address the threat of terrorism, fight against address the threat of terrorism, fight against corruption, promoting democracy, pursuing good corruption, promoting democracy, pursuing good governance and creation of Human Right Council, governance and creation of Human Right Council, trade liberalization in the global independent world trade liberalization in the global independent world where no state can stand wholly alone. It was where no state can stand wholly alone. It was acknowledge that collective security depends on acknowledge that collective security depends on effective cooperation, in accordance with the effective cooperation, in accordance with the international law, against transnational threats and international law, against transnational threats and to attain peace, security, sustainable development to attain peace, security, sustainable development and human rights which are interlinked.and human rights which are interlinked.

Culture

• Acknowledging the diversity of the world, the Summit recognized that all cultures and civilizations contribute to the enrichment of humankind. It acknowledged the importance of respect and understanding of religious and cultural diversity throughout the world and to encouraging tolerance, respect, dialogue and cooperation among different cultures, civilization and peoples.

UN Human RightsUN Human Rights

UN believes that all human rights are UN believes that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interrelated, universal, indivisible, interrelated, interdependent and mutually reinforcing interdependent and mutually reinforcing and that all human rights must be treated and that all human rights must be treated in a fair and equal manner, on the same in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis footing and with the same emphasis

Terrorism

The 2005 World Summit took advantage of the presence of the Heads of state and government to hold Security Council meeting and pass a resolution to combat terrorism. UN had now proper definition of terrorism. It is also a new global phenomenon and after 9/11 the whole world is facing the consequences. Recent attempt at Heathrow airport or planting bombs in local train in Bombay is taking life of many innocent people and there is a long of expenses globally on security majors

Terrorism

The World Summit 2005 strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purpose, as it constitute one of the most serious threat to peace and security. It asked for international cooperation to fight terrorism. It is a global problem and all are affected so nobody should support terrorism. UN role was recognized in combating terrorism and assurance was given by the member states in the Summit to strengthen the capacity of UN for this purpose.

Globalization and CultureGlobalization and CultureDiversity of culture is diminishing Diversity of culture is diminishing Modernization has been advancing as a Modernization has been advancing as a steamroller, erasing cultural and biological steamroller, erasing cultural and biological diversity in its way diversity in its way Earlier the differences were based on nationalityEarlier the differences were based on nationalityNow the differences are counted on gender and Now the differences are counted on gender and political affiliations, ethnic and religious political affiliations, ethnic and religious movements, minority rights, and indigenous movements, minority rights, and indigenous peoples. peoples.

Globalization of CultureGlobalization of Culture

McDonaldizationMcDonaldization..Cultural mixing or hybridization Cultural mixing or hybridization

Concepts of cultural differences • Cultural differentialism or lasting

difference• Cultural convergence or growing

sameness, and • Cultural hybridization or ongoing

mixing

The United Nations promote the respect for all diversity in nature and culture.

UN World Summit on Sustainable UN World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)Development (WSSD)

A decade after the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 A decade after the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 which produced Agenda 21, the United Nations which produced Agenda 21, the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) was held from 26 August to 4th (WSSD) was held from 26 August to 4th September 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa September 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa to “seek consensus on the general assessment of to “seek consensus on the general assessment of current conditions, and for priorities for further current conditions, and for priorities for further action in new areas or issues.” action in new areas or issues.”

Three components of Sustainable Three components of Sustainable Development Development

Economic development, Economic development, Social development, andSocial development, andEnvironmental protection Environmental protection

As interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars. As interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars.

Briton Wood institutionsBriton Wood institutions

•• Simultaneously attempt to pursue only economic Simultaneously attempt to pursue only economic globalization, no goals for a healthy planet, or equity globalization, no goals for a healthy planet, or equity and justice for people are remotely achievable. and justice for people are remotely achievable.

•• Globalization, trade and investment designs and Globalization, trade and investment designs and structures reinforce a model of developmentstructures reinforce a model of development--centered centered on free trade, hyper economic growth and exporton free trade, hyper economic growth and export--oriented productionoriented production--which is inherently unsustainable which is inherently unsustainable in ecological and social terms. in ecological and social terms.

TradeTrade

The World Trade Organization (WTO) The World Trade Organization (WTO) is among the most powerful, and one is among the most powerful, and one of the most secretive international of the most secretive international bodies on earth. It is rapidly bodies on earth. It is rapidly assuming the role of global assuming the role of global government, as 134 nationgovernment, as 134 nation--states, states, including the U.S., have ceded to its including the U.S., have ceded to its vast authority and powers. vast authority and powers.

WTOWTO

The recent Doha round trade talk wrecked. The recent Doha round trade talk wrecked. The Economist issue of that week in July The Economist issue of that week in July 2006 reported in its article entitled “The 2006 reported in its article entitled “The Future of Globalization” that the wrecking Future of Globalization” that the wrecking of the world trade talks was senseless and of the world trade talks was senseless and shortshort--sighted. After all globalization is sighted. After all globalization is unstoppable. unstoppable.

HIV/AIDS, malaria and HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and other health tuberculosis and other health

issuesissues• The World Summit 2005 committed to

support the implementation of this goal of universal access to treatment by 2010 for all those who need it and by enhancing access to affordable medicines and also the reduction of vulnerability of persons affected by HIV/AIDS and other health issues in particular orphaned and vulnerable children and older persons.

Gender Equality and Gender Equality and Empowerment of womenEmpowerment of women

Beijing conference and its outcome as Beijing conference and its outcome as Beijing declaration and Platform for action Beijing declaration and Platform for action and outcome of the twenty third special and outcome of the twenty third special session of the General Assembly promoted session of the General Assembly promoted gender equality and eliminated pervasive gender equality and eliminated pervasive gender discrimination gender discrimination

International migrationInternational migration

The General Assembly on international migration and The General Assembly on international migration and development will be held in September 2006 and development will be held in September 2006 and discuss the multidimensional aspects of international discuss the multidimensional aspects of international migration and will identify appropriate ways and migration and will identify appropriate ways and means to maximize their development benefits and means to maximize their development benefits and minimize their negative impact. minimize their negative impact. Of the estimated $232 billion that migrants sent home Of the estimated $232 billion that migrants sent home last year, about $170billion went to developing last year, about $170billion went to developing countries with the growth rate of remittances by 9 countries with the growth rate of remittances by 9 percent a year. percent a year.

UN Democracy FundUN Democracy Fund

Democracy is a universal value Democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own the people to determine their own political, economic, social and political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their participation in all aspects of their lives. lives. India pledged for US$ 10 Million India pledged for US$ 10 Million contribution for this fund in 2005.contribution for this fund in 2005.

Measurement of GlobalizationMeasurement of Globalization

ConclusionConclusion

The strength of the UN is that it includes The strength of the UN is that it includes everyone within a common tent. Without everyone within a common tent. Without the all the all ––encompassing infrastructure, encompassing infrastructure, capacity for effective international capacity for effective international discourse would be crippled. The UN is discourse would be crippled. The UN is essential to world peace and security.essential to world peace and security.

U.N. IS YOUU.N. IS YOU