A Global Agenda: Issues before the 59th General Assembly of the United Nations, 2004-2005.

A Global Agenda

Issues before the 59th General Assembly of the United Nations, 2004-2005

Edited by Angela Drakulich

Published by UNA-USA, 2004, 320 pp., ISBN 1-880632-69-1

Any person interested in understanding the work of the United Nations should take a look at "A Global Agenda: Issues before the 59th General Assembly of the United Nations". Published annually by the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA), the book has become an invaluable reference for representatives of governments and international organizations, as well as students and scholars in international relations.

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Redesigned in 2003, the publication features a new format, with essays, expert commentaries and a reference section. The 2004 edition of A Global Agenda is organized in eight main thematic chapters, focusing on the diverse issues faced by the United Nations, including the Iraq war, terrorism, trade and development, as well as UN reform. As UNA-USA President William H. Luers underscores in his introduction, "rather than focus solely on Iraq--as the media, and as a result the world public, have done over the past year--this book aims to delve into many other issues before the United Nations, its Member States and various agencies and organs". This edition keeps its main focus on less spectacular but no less urgent issues, such as health security and HIV/AIDS, while also covering other themes relevant to the United Nations, such as sustainable development, human rights protection, peace-building, terrorism, drug trafficking, international law, and global trade and development, as well as the budget, management and reform of the UN system.

A separate section, consisting of three in-depth essays, discusses some of the challenges faced by the world Organization, including some important political issues, such as the United States 2004 election campaign, which are likely to affect the United Nations role and effectiveness. The texts are supplemented with relevant tables, data and appendices. The addition at the end of each chapter of insightful commentaries by scholars, such as Richard Coate, Director of the Richard Walker Institute of International Studies and professor at the University of South Carolina, and Ilona Kickbush, professor of global health at Yale University's School of Medicine, makes the book an even more valuable tool for analysis and research.

Overall, A Global Agenda gives a comprehensive and authoritative look at the UN system, representing an informative way for UNA-USA to fulfil its educational aim, which is is to write about the United Nations for the United Nations, all the while, in Mr. Luers' words, "constantly working to strengthen the commitment of the U.S. Government, Americans and people around the world to the United Nations so that it can become even more effective".

For more than two decades, A Global Agenda has guided global audiences in understanding crucial issues before the UN General Assembly. For more information on the 2004 edition, as well as many other resources such as the annual "Global Agenda Speakers Series", visit the UNA-USA Website (http://unausa.org).

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Reviewed by Giovanni Campi