The United Nations is being accused of irrelevance because it couldn’t stop the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There may have been too little diplomatic vitality, but the current neglect of peacebuilding by many countries must be recognised.

The most interesting question is how can the UN’s effectiveness be increased? That depends most centrally on the degree of Member State commitment. John will review major aspects of Australia’s highly uneven multilateral engagement since 1996.

Multi-national interest in Security Council reform is growing. A dialogue within Australia would be a useful start, which could lead to identification of organisational changes which would increase the Council’s effectiveness, and which Australia could then advocate.

Acknowledgement and thanks to Mr Peter Cain MLA, Member for Ginninderra for being UNAA ACT’s venue sponsor.

For more information and tickets, click here