TALKING POINTS: MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS REFORM

Last week, Secretary-General Kofi Annan released his report, "Investing In the United Nations," which outlines an ambitious overhaul of the UN's management and operations. Annan's plan, which was immediately embraced by the United States, includes a restructuring of the Secretariat, information technology and communications upgrades, changes in budget and finance mechanisms, and proposals to attract and keep quality staff.

This overhaul is a great opportunity for supporters of a strong and effective UN to articulate common themes for positive change. Use these talking points in speeches, meetings, articles, and other communications.

• Annan's proposals will bring new blood and fresh ideas.
  If adopted, Annan's plan will ensure that the UN is a competitive workplace. It's more than a one-time staff buyout - it's a fundamental improvement in the way the UN does business.

• The UN needs new tools to meet higher expectations.
  The UN was founded 60 years ago to foster dialogue and create understanding between nations. Today, we ask it to bring countries together to keep the peace in complex situations, help the poor, protect the environment, maintain order in failing states, and perform many other essential tasks. The UN Secretariat needs a hardware upgrade to meet these new challenges.

• The U.S. must lead and be a team player.
  The U.S. wants Annan's reforms to pass, and everybody wins with a more effective and efficient UN. However, many countries wrongly believe that the reforms represent a power grab by the United States. Heavy-handed negotiating tactics will only further that impression and damage our chances of success. 

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un_minute/minute_030706_human_rights_council.html"> THE LAST MINUTE - THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL:

• The proposed Human Rights Council is a step forward.

• How did we get here? Dysfunctional diplomacy.

• The administration needs to get its act together.

KUDOS:

Human Rights Watch, the United Nations Foundation, the Denver Post, and the Philadelphia Inquirer discuss the Human Rights Council as a "step forward." Nice work!

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