UN AT A CROSSROADS - NEW ACTORS, NEW CHAL LENGES

At its 50th anniversary, the UN is facing new challenges due to change s in the international system. Internal conflicts have replaced inter- state conflicts as the main threat to international society. The autho r indicates that absence of state aggression signifies that the UN is finally reaching the original aim of its charter. However, this still leaves the organisation without comprehensive instruments for solving or managing new threats. The international community has developed fro m a system with states as the only legitimate actors, to a diversified picture where actors and forces like NGOs, internal political or ethn ic groups, regional organisations, the media, and a globalised world e conomy set conditions for an international agenda. The prospects for a n effective response to global problems will depend on a variety of fa ctors. A crucial question is whether it is possible to develop a commo n basis of values and definition of problems, in a world where central ising and fragmenting forces clash (e.g. the question of human rights) . Another question is whether the UN, regional organisations and NGOs are able to overcome institutional barriers and develop comprehensive systems of co-operation in complex conflicts and other emergency situa tions. Despite its bureaucratic reputation, the UN system has shown fl exibility and creativity that should be further nurtured. The author a rgues that the UN will be a more important organisation in the future. But instead of taking a radical new direction, reforms are likely to happen step by step, a gradual adaptation of the organisation to the n ew challenges.