User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 3/8/2006 12:43:31 AM EDT
UN & 'Reform'… now there's a contradiction in terms
 UN overhaul plan prompts staff outcry United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan has unveiled plans to radically reform the way the UN operates. Under the proposals, administrative services such as as translation and publishing will be moved out of the New York headquarters to cut costs. Senior management will be restructured to give the secretary-general more authority, staff recruitment will be overhauled and budget processes will be simplified. Mr Annan says the changes will make the UN leaner and more accountable. "Just as this building, after 56 years of ad hoc repair and maintenance, now needs to be fully refurbished from top to bottom, so our organisation, after decades of piecemeal reform, now needs a thorough strategic refit," he said. The cost is estimated at $US500 million. UN officials believe they could in turn save nearly as much through streamlining contract procurement and farming out projects. Many of the proposals are controversial, including one that would give the secretary-general more power to allocate and consolidate jobs without asking the General Assembly. Mr Annan says the shake-up is necessary because the UN has to cope with 80,000 peacekeepers and civilian staff in the field and its "regulations and rules do not respond to current needs". He says more than 70 per cent of the world body's $US10 billion budget is for 80,000 peacekeepers. Many civilian staff working for them are on short-term contracts and a third of the posts in the field are vacant because of low pay. Mr Annan's report is a direct result of scandals in the oil-for-food program in Iraq and fraud in awarding contracts. Anger UN diplomats have been cautious in their first response but staff met in a raucous session with Mr Annan, asking for accountability for previous failed reforms. UN staff committee head Rosemary Waters says 700 employees will campaign "to halt the constant effort of the management to erode the rights and benefits of staff" and management's attempts to eradicate jobs. UN officials say Mr Annan is responsible for some 13,000 staff in the field and elsewhere, with some 4,200 in New York. Moving part of the UN's six-language translation services, now done by 312 people, out of New York, perhaps to Asian nations, could save some $35 million annually. - Reuters http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1587165.htm |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2006 1:15:16 AM EDT
[#1]
I agree that the UN needs a new building....
In a different country... Paid for by non-US funds! |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2006 1:16:41 AM EDT
[#2]
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2006 2:01:14 AM EDT
[#4]
 <=== This is my shocked face.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2006 2:01:26 AM EDT
[#5]
The UN building needs repair via JDAM's.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2006 2:04:30 AM EDT
[#6]
Think positive! Quote: Moving part of the UN's six-language translation services, now done by 312 people, out of New York, perhaps to Asian nations, could save some $35 million annually. |
||
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2006 3:05:20 AM EDT
[#7]
Change is opportunity.
When dissent rises, we need to find weaknesses in the status quo to cause the organization to collapse frm within. As far as authority, the best money the US and GB could spend would be on two people assigned a full time job keeping an eye on Annan's every wiggle and contact. I don't want to use a JDAM on the UN complex, it makes too much dust, and I want to reopen the facility to the homeless, install a live fire training unit on one floor, and force the obese welfare parasites to exercise in the stairwells. Wouldn't make the place a bit nastier or offensive than it is now. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2006 3:14:12 AM EDT
[#8]
give the secretary-general more authority
Let me guess, It's for our own good 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2006 3:37:51 AM EDT
[#9]
I'm shocked. Dissent within the org. that is suppoed to bring all the worlds nations into one big happy family. No Way.
Get U.S out of the UN! |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2006 3:45:27 AM EDT
[#10]
Yeah, because the UN is really is nothin more than a jobs programme for liberal elites. You'd remove the UN's reason for existance if you cut jobs 
|
|
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
