As I was reading the lines mentioned in the title of this posting while I was in Japanese Embassy in New Delhi reading Haiku of Busan......then I was just thinking about my journey to Tokyo.
Also I reflected upon the following:
"Mark of execellent man is that he writes easily in an acceptable hand, sings agreeably and in tune and though appearing reluctant to accept when win is presses on him, is not a teetotaler.....man may excel at everything else but he has no taste for lovemaking one feels something terribly inadequate about him, as if he were a valuable winecup without a bottom."
These are the lines I read from 'Essays in Idleness' writtent by Kenko a twelth century Japanese philosopher or sage, we can say.
Then he goes ahead,"The pleasantest of all diversions is to sit alone under the lamp, a book spread out before you."
The programe of United Nations University is about one core subject of Pressing issues ahead of United Nations System and optional being 1)International Peace and Human Rights, 2)Global Change and Sustainibility and 3)International Development and Cooperation
Dealing with development, progress and evolution of change in International Organisations, starting lecture elaborated on significance and role of international non governmental and business organisations in influencing the local governments in affecting the policy and other institutional changes during this globalised consultation about different grave issues; 'Cliamate Change' being the most debateable!!!
Tracing the genesis of the formation of United Nations System, Prof. John Groom, Emiretus Prof. at University of Kent elaborated on the significance of Idea of UN and how it got generated over the decades. Governance of any international organisation is subject to power dynamics between different nations. He talked about the century starting from 1814 to 1914 when very less international instituions existed. Then, within the time frame of 1910-1940 nearly about 5, 000 organisations came into force. Thereafter, this number has been increasing rapidly and it reached upto 20, 000. These are seriously dedicated organisations whose credbile work is surpassing the initiatives of institutionalied nation-state to find sustainable solutions.
"Formation and later failure of 'League of Nations' contributed a major direction in regard to development of functional character of negotiation. United Nations emerged in late fiftees from the rubrics of military alliance of Britain, U.S.A and Soviet Union after the discussions at Teharan, Malta and Kairo. United Nations Charter is living political document and we cannot ignore this fact of the moment. Only thing to remember is that the document is far more flexible to accomodate the wills and wishes of the people of the member countries."
Different agreements framed from time to time(UNFCC and many other), formation of different international business associations (ITU e.g), different organisations evolved (International Court of Justice for instance) makes us realise that this world is moving away from conflict to resolution seeking approach but this initiative has to be more participative, transperent, responsible and representative.
So, new Policy making at the international podium is all about accomodating the diverse view- points Civil Society represents. This is evident by different meetings the world is having with lot of Civil Society representation in talks ranging from Rio Conference in 1992 to the coming Copenhegan meet in December 2009. This was easy to understand from Prof. Groom`s point of view that excessive nationalism in twenteeth century Europe has ruined the cooperation possibilties which were later materialised after second world war. I was lucky to witness birthday of Ravindranath Tagore on my journey day on 9th May to Tokyo who was assertive in his opposition to idea of Nationalism in solving the pressing issues ahead of the world upto his death in 1941 i.e. high time of second world war.
