Canada and the United Nations: Setting the Record Straight

In response to the 2023 report, “Canada and the United Nations: Rethinking and Rebuilding Canada's Global Role,” Jack Cunningham argues that Canada should instead marginalize the United Nations. In response, this rejoinder maintains that, while the UN has weaknesses, the world would be a worse...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal (Toronto) 2024-12, Vol.79 (4), p.623-628
Main Authors: Buck, Kerry, Manulak, Michael W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmospheric ozone
Climate change
Foreign policy
Global perspective
International organizations
International standards
Multilateralism
Vaccines
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In response to the 2023 report, “Canada and the United Nations: Rethinking and Rebuilding Canada's Global Role,” Jack Cunningham argues that Canada should instead marginalize the United Nations. In response, this rejoinder maintains that, while the UN has weaknesses, the world would be a worse place without it. Look to the UN's work to close the hole in the ozone layer, deliver life-saving vaccines to millions, or give food and shelter to the displaced. The UN has been a remarkably successful norm-setter, creating vital international standards on issues that range from the more political to the technical. Cunningham favours a retreat by Canada to smaller clubs of like-minded states, without explaining how this retrenchment might produce more effective results on global issues, such as climate change. He offers no alternative to the UN. It is hard to see how abandoning the field to China, Russia, and Iran, would serve Canada's interests.
ISSN:0020-7020
2052-465X
DOI:10.1177/00207020241298265