The United Nations scored higher points for its ability to help third world nations, than for preventing human rights abuses and war crimes. This is what Epoch Times reporters from Tanzania to Sweden discovered when the asked locals, “Do you think the United Nations does its job?”
  Mbeya, Tanzania Joseph Daniel, 45, Ministry of Ed. City Academic Officer Yes. Through its organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, and others it helps a lot. For example, in the education sector, we in the third world countries receive various assistances such as books and teaching materials. The U.N. also gives assistance in the health sector providing medicines, laboratory equipment, and also doctors and professional assistance. |
  Pezinok, Slovakia Pavol Cechvala, 38, Office Director I am quite skeptical about the influence of the U.N. in today’s conflict zones. I admit they assist the refugees, or humanitarian actions, but their troops are obviously not able to effectively help avoid the worst war crimes happening right in front of them, for example the ethnic massacres in former Yugoslavia. I’m not saying it’s easy; it just feels like they are too bound with the bureaucracy, or their internal rules of engagement. |
  Wellington, New Zealand Paul Kane, Medical School Professor I think they try to do the best that they can, but they don’t always meet their own objectives. I think if they’re judging themselves by their own standards, there’s a certain line beyond which they can’t really impose their will. So if you’re up against a regime or a government that isn’t invested—it’s not going to happen. The U.N. can pass on all the sanctions they like, but until you start to hurt the people who are actually in power then nothing will change. |
  Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. Robert, 67, Records Management Specialist No, probably not. I don’t think they can. I don’t think they have enough power. I don’t read that much about the U.N. They don’t seem to be involved when they affect things, not world situations; they can’t do anything in the Middle East—that’s beyond them. Smaller things, health-wise maybe, but I don’t know. If there’s something, maybe a health problem in Africa, they can send people. As far as world situations, no I don’t think they can help that much. |
  Södertälje, Sweden George Roham, 41, Chef Actually, no ... because the U.S. has control over them—they have no power! Hans Blix [former head of the U.N. Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection Commission] reported that Iraq had no weapons [of mass destruction], but the U.S. wanted to attack and the U.N. could not do anything about it. I know [understand] that Saddam Hussein was a dictator. I also wanted to overthrow him, but not in that way. When the U.N. does something, the U.S. uses its veto. It’s just a game. The [U.N.] does more for the great powers, than for those who really need its help. |
  Islamabad, Pakistan Amir Farooq, 40, Journalist No. I think that the basic purpose for which it was created was for the purpose of keeping peace in the world and in this respect the U.N. hasn’t fulfilled its purpose. The U.N. has also become very driven by money and its policies are shaped by those who fund them heavily; those countries that give the U.N. money have more influence in the world. However, I do think the U.N. has had a very positive effect in the development sector with such departments like UNICEF and so on. |
  Suceava, Romania Marius Dragoi, 32, Firefighter I think the U.N. does its job in most cases. But there are cases where political and financial interests dictate and they adopt a somehow diplomatic attitude where it seems it works, but in fact it just don’t do much. Let’s take the human rights issue, for example, they can stand up for human rights, but when economical interests are at stake they don’t go further than saying nice things. |
  San Roque, Spain Antonio del Rio, 40, Business Agent I think that the United Nations should have a more relevant role in big decisions that affect the whole world, and also act more firmly on global needs—I’m referring to human rights and defending ethnic minorities (their customs, cultures, and ways of life). Also, the United Nations should be more present in issues related to environmental protection, and legislation to avoid toxic waste in the earth, seas, or air. And of course, a main issue too should be to intervene in conflicts among countries. |
  Medellin, Colombia Carlos Mario Gil Henao, 55, Economist The United Nations fails to comply fully with their function because they do not exert their influence as a worldwide authority to implement sustainable development in the world. And because they do not prohibit all countries to abort the arms race, which are bringing war respectively to each one of them. |
  Twin Waters, Australia Sonja Leck, 62, Travel Consultant I think the United Nations does its job in some areas, but in other areas its sadly lacking, and I just think because the countries that are participating in the U.N. have a lot of restrictions and they can’t be cohesive. They can’t seem to get a unanimous effort going that gets something achieved. However, having said that, they do a lot of good work. The youth side of the U.N. is excellent. … The big issues—the Libyas, [and]the Egypts—they’re pretty gutless, and I think really don’t have the strength, or the ability, or the power to do anything. |
  Lima, Peru Maria Pinto, 28, Sales Representative I think that like other agencies or global institutions, there is also corruption in the U.N., because if they acted correctly and honestly, there would be more humanitarian aid to many countries in need, and violations of human rights by certain governments would not exist. I see that everyone is looking for personal purpose only. |
| Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “In your experience, do you think there is a need for more emphasis on women’s rights in your country?” |
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