Abstract
Roughly since 1997,1 the United Nations (UN) has struck a remarkable accommodation between far-reaching initiatives to reform its operational activities, supported by those inclined for more radical changes, and an incremental-steps approach which seems to be now growing in popularity among its membership. But, though most states agreed on the need to improve the overall coherence of the UN system, the debate has revealed steep default lines crossing the agenda. Positions vary significantly on the link between core normative and operational roles of the UN in the development, humanitarian and environment fields, on the mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues (human rights, gender and sustainable development) and, more prominently, on the governance of these activities.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
ILO. (2004). A fair globalization. Creating opportunities for all. Geneva: World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization, ILO.
Rosenthal, G. (2005, February). The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. An Issues Paper. Occasional Paper. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
UN. (2006). Secretary-General’s high-level panel on UN system-wide coherence in the areas of development, humanitarian assistance, and the environment: “Delivering as One Report”. New York: United Nations.
von Freiesleben, J. (2008). ‘System-wide coherence’ in managing change at the United Nations. New York: Centre for UN Reform Education.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Maertens, E. (2012). UN System-Wide Coherence and the Regions: The Quest for Reforms. In: De Lombaerde, P., Baert, F., Felício, T. (eds) The United Nations and the Regions. United Nations University Series on Regionalism, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2751-9_18
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2751-9_18
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-2750-2
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-2751-9
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)