INTRODUCTION TO UN DISCOURSE Cristina Pennarola

OUTLINE OUTLINE OUTLINE Hard vs. soft power Rise of public diplomacy United Nations: factsheet Millennium Development Campaign Webpages Reports Practice : “UN Year in Review 2016”

FORMS OF POWER HARD POWER: economic or military coercion SOFT POWER: power of attraction based on culture , policies & values (“nation branding”) Americans are powerful because they can “inspire the dreams and desires of others, thanks to the mastery of global images through film and television and because, for these same reasons, large numbers of students from other countries come to the United States to finish their studies” (Nye 2008)

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY Adopted in the 1970s in the US to replace “propaganda” (= international information, cultural relations, and TV programmes) Political instrument influencing publics on issues relating to governance, economic growth, democracy, distribution of goods /services (Gregory 2008)

UN FACTSHEET Membership: 193 Member States Established: 24 October 1945 Current UN peacekeeping operations: 16 Budget for 2010-2011: USD 5.048 billion (peacekeeping operations not included) Official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish. “Veto” power: Decisions on substantive matters require the votes of all five permanent members of Security Council (US, UK, France, China, Russian federation). The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights

What is diplomacy? “Communication with other cultures has always been central to diplomacy. The essence of the diplomat’s work lies in the relations between countries and peoples. Important decisions in international relations and related fields affect citizens of more than one nation, therefore the question of whether communication between people of different nations is effective and whether all parties emerge with the same understanding is of crucial importance.” (www.diplomacy.edu/conferences/IC/

‘THE UN MUST BE OPENED UP’ UN General Assemby 2000 A/54/2000

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 2. Achieve universal primary education 3. Promote gender equality and empower women 4. Reduce child mortality 5. Improve maternal health 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases 7. Ensure environmental sustainability 8. Develop a global partnership for development

MILLENNIUM CAMPAIGN ON THE WEB

THINK. KNOW. ACT.

WHY YOU? You might think that achieving all of the Goals by 2015 is the responsibility of politicians, and that there is little you can do to help. Nothing could be further from the truth. To achieve the goals, the world need everyone; young people, aids activists, religious leaders, environmentalists, unions, civil society organizations, and women's rights activists - everyone concerned about our future - to work together and make sure the goals become a reality.

No linear access to information No linear access to information. It is divided according to a hierarchical structure based on the following four agendas: 1) development; 2)security; 3)environment; 4)reforms

INCLUSIVE/EXCLUSIVE INCLUSIVE WE: addresser + addressee (solidarity) Ex: We must achieve this goal together EXCLUSIVE WE : only addresser (separation) Ex: We have launched this Millennium campaign

RESOURCES Annan K. A. 2000 We the Peoples. The Role of UN in 21st Century. New York: UN. Nye J. S. 2008. Public Diplomacy and Soft Power, The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 616: 94-109 United Nations http://www.un.org