Human Rights and Governance

OVERVIEW

Delivered by journalist Richard Werly, this lecture focused on the challenges that lay ahead for the next United Nations Secretary-General. Based on his observations and discussions with various sources, Werly asserted that one of the most important challenges was that the new UN chief had to be a consensus builder, reuniting the organisation and bridging the different opinions and interests among all the member states. There is also the management challenge of implementing reforms, which are currently far from being put into place or accepted, as well as transforming the world body into a cost-efficient organisation. Lastly, there is the credibility challenge, whereby upholding human rights and preventing disasters (natural and human-made) would remain at the very core of the UN's objectives.

The lecture was attended by 35 people from the diplomatic corps, the academe, and members of civil society in Singapore

SPEAKER

Mr. Richard Werly, Accredited Journalist, UN Headquarters, Geneva

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

The Singapore Institute for International Affairs (SIIA)