A time to reflect, a time to look forward.

Seated comfortably in her 31st-floor office in the tall, glass UN Secretariat building in New York, Gillian Martin Sorensen, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General for Information and Public Policy, reflects confidence in her overwhelming task of coordinating the Un's fiftieth anniversary celebration.

"We've laid the groundwork for what we believe will be an extraordinary year, a memorable year. An anniversary that will strengthen and reinforce the UN for the next half century", the Under-Secretary-General stated with pride.

With the official theme "We the peoples of the United Nations . . . united for a better world" as a guide, many partners are working to make this an unforgettable event, she said. Not only are the UN system and the United Nations Associations around the world deeply involved in the preparations for the celebration, but government groups, national committees from many Members States, as well as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), have all responded with great enthusiasm to the challenges of making the event memorable, said Mrs. Sorensen.

On 17 December 1991, at the forty-sixth session of the General Assembly, delegates decided to include an item on "Commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations in 1995" in forthcoming agendas.

A few months later, in April 1992, the Assembly established an official 50th anniversary Preparatory Committee, open to all UN Member States' participation. Furthermore, this Preparatory Committee's task would be to consider and recommend proposals for suitable activities for the anniversary, acting by consensus.

To date, the Committee has met 13 times. At a March 1994 meeting, it proposed that a special meeting of the General Assembly at the level of Head of State or Government should be held in October 1995. That meeting, it was decided, should include the adoption of a declaration on the occasion of the 50th anniversary.

The regular UN budget will not be used to fund anniversary programmes. A UN50 Trust Fund has been created to receive extra-budgetary funds raised for this sole purpose.

To learn from the past

According to Mrs. Sorensen, interest in the anniversary runs high and some of the scepticism that the celebration would be "one big birthday party" has been overcome.

"We've done that by focusing on the enormous educational opportunities that exist, on the intellectual core. We've strengthened that core math curricula materials, documentaries, conferences and symposia that will reflect both on 50 years of the UN past and 50 years of the UN future. That will give it a serious and thoughtful |centre' around which other events to remember, to commemorate, take place", she said.

Mrs. Sorensen believes that by strengthening that intellectual "centre" and by engaging in debate, the most will be made of an opportunity to learn from the past--"to grow and change and to create a UN that is more effective for the next half century", she noted.

Two historic events are the keystone of the anniversary celebration: in New York, the General Assembly will hold a commemorative session with Heads of State in attendance; and a Solemn Declaration, outlining a UN vision for a secure and peaceful world, is being drafted, to be endorsed by Member States on 24 October 1995.

On 26 June, an official ceremony in San Francisco will include a celebration and re-dedication of the UN Charter.

Every day new ideas from around the world are being offered to the "UN50" staff to help promote the anniversary. Some proposals and projects are not country-specific and come from ordinary citizens. Others have been suggested by various peace, human rights, inter-faith and women's rights groups, as well as health care organizations.

Among the projects already begun are:

* An international "UN50" coin programme, under which Member States may issue commemorative anniversary coins. One national mint which makes coins for a number of nations will be selected to coordinate the international marketing to collectors. The UN50 Trust Fund will receive royalties from the sales of these coins.

* A project, endorsed by the UN Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) to identify 50 successful communities worldwide, analyse and share the reasons for their success, and organize efforts to link "First Night" celebrations in cities across the nation with "UN50".

* A book written by children, answering questions raised by their peers, produced under the direction of the Peace Child International Foundation.

* A "global citizen" card for children between 5 and 10 years of age.

* The civic organizations in San Francisco, the site of the signing of the original UN Charter on 26 June 1945 at the Opera House, have created the UN50 Committee to oversee a broad array of events to commemorate the anniversary.

Among other activities will be UN 50 concerts, including a 50-country world tour by the Royal Philharmonic of London, UN Day concerts, which include a gala at Headquarters by the New York Philharmonic and a "UN Week of Music" at the Salzburg Festival.

NGO efforts

The Board of the Rotary International has endorsed several UN50-related activities for the organization, including a special one-day event to illustrate the common goals of the Rotary international and the UN, and cooperation with UN Associations.

The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) has released information on "How Community Organizations can Participate in the 50th Anniversary of the UN".

UNA-USA urges community organizations to form a UN50 Committee to plan and implement activities. Suggestions include organizing a UN50 Model UN, as well as other student activities, and inviting local and State officials and Congressional delegations to participate in planning a celebratory event--particularly a concert for United Nations Day on 24 October 1995. Other ideas include sponsoring a substantive forum, conference or seminar for the adult public.

There are activities, large and small, national and local, that are creative, as well as ambitious, "and in the spirit of reflection that we are encouraging", said Mrs. Sorensen with satisfaction.

The Under-Secretary-General considers the 50th anniversary theme most appropriate for this occasion because, she said, it is an inclusive theme.

"It makes special reference to |we the peoples'. This is a |peoples' anniversary. We're making certain that it involves citizens of all ages and background, united for a better world."

The United Nations is a universal organization, "not just relevant but critical to our common future", she said. "The UN is much more than just peace-keeping. Development, disarmament, democratization, environmental action, humanitarian assistance and population--all are very much part of the UN agenda", but she noted with a tone of disappointment, "often very much neglected by the press."

She hopes that reporters and producers will "widen their lenses and focus on many other aspects of the UN work, thereby creating a much deeper understanding in the world at large of what the UN is and does".

Mrs. Sorensen, the wife of Theodore C. Sorensen, an attorney, writer and former Special Counsel to President John F. Kennedy, is no stranger to the international community. From 1978 to 1990, she was New York City Commissioner for the United Nations and Consular Corps, responsible for addressing the varied problems of the 35,000 diplomats and their families posted in Manhattan. She is able to easily and enthusiastically speak, often without notes, about every aspect of UN work.

As Commissioner, she said, she "was sensitive to the interaction between the UN and the life of this city. The UN is not some separate universe. It's very much connected here in so many ways. There's a synergy that I think is important. And the communities of culture, of finance and of business all connect to and nurture UN people and, in some instances, UN causes and commitments."

She added: "UN work affects citizens and their understanding of how Governments work in a very direct way. I would like to strengthen that connection."

Hopefully by the end of the year, she said, as a result of an enormous grass-roots effort translated into active government commitment, both in human resources and financial resources, the climate created will offer a better prospect for peace.

"Coordinating the anniversary is a wonderful challenge", she said, "one that will not happen again in our lifetime." It is her hope that the commemoration will positively influence the future of the Organization by making the public more aware of all UN efforts--"efforts to improve, to look forward to peace and fairness and justice around the world", she concluded with conviction.