At the beginning of the new century, the world stands as troubled as it ever was. Many problems of the last century will most probably be present in the new one as well. After the intervention in Kosovo and the establishment of the United Nations Mission there, for Kosovar Albanians the world we are living in has become a better one. However, many others living in unsettled parts of the world would undoubtedly disagree with such a view. A great number of ethnic, religious and other conflicts, global heating, "failed" States and other serious threats that we witness today are only a reminder of challenges we have to face in the new millennium. And most of the time answers and solutions for these problems are usually sought in one place -- the United Nations.

However, while being the main source of hope for many oppressed people throughout the world, the United Nations today is also often viewed with skepticism and distrust. It was created after the end of the Second World War and as such it reflected the reality of that time. For many years during the cold war, the Organization rather successfully played its role as the only international body responsible for the world's security. However, the reality today has greatly changed. The interstate conflicts which the United Nations was created to deal with are very rarely a threat to international security. Instead, we are increasingly witnessing new types of ethnic and religious conflicts that usually take place within internationally recognized borders of the UN Member States. These internal conflicts have unfortunately shown the inadequacy of the international community in general, and the existing structures of the United Nations in particular, to deal with the challenges of the new century.

Therefore, in the new millennium the world would like to see a reformed and more efficient United Nations -- a United Nations that reflects today's reality and needs. While the veto system of its Security Council served well during the cold war, its functioning today needs to be improved in a way that enables the Organization to successfully implement its mandate.

How can Africans or Latin Americans full-heartedly trust the United Nations if they have no representatives sitting permanently in the Security Council? How can the Council retain its authority and credibility without including some new major State players like Germany or Japan? And finally, how can the United Nations fulfil its role if a single permanent Council member has a chance to veto resolutions, no matter how important and just they are?

In addition, Member States should understand that the time of absolute and exclusive sovereignty has passed. Their Governments can no longer violate on a large scale human rights of their own citizens without being punished for such oppression. Nation-States, as major factors in international politics, should demonstrate the ability and will to provide for the well-being of their citizens based on the principles of equality and human rights. If this is not the case, then the United Nations must reinforce its claims to act more coercively within Member States on the basis of a humanitarian mandate.

However, the ability to enforce mandates certainly represents one of the key problems that the United Nations is facing. Its existing structure clearly lacks the necessary mechanisms and potentials for such an action. Therefore, it has to rely heavily on existing regional organizations or the coalition of will of its Member States. On the other hand, the very willingness of these regional organizations and Member States to engage in such multilateral intervention is highly questionable, let alone their authority and legitimacy, even when acting under UN mandate.

It may be concluded that there is an urgent need for UN reform. However, the expectations about such a reform need to be realistic, and one could say that UN reform should concentrate more on easing the political obstacles for collective action rather than in improving its existing mechanisms. In addition, while it is obvious that for the time being selective indignation remains the only feasible way for the international community to intervene, the United Nations should try to facilitate engagement in lessening the sufferings of the oppressed people throughout the world whenever possible.

NEXT ARTICLE IN THIS SERIES