Last night, while I watched the news, I was struck by the grim reminder that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is almost in its third year, while the Israel-Palestine conflict is close to the midpoint of its second. As the casualties continue to mount, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the growing divisions in our world, and I wonder if there’s anything that can stop the wars, protect civilians, and foster a lasting peace.
The global news shifted to the United Nations Secretary-General delivering another plea for peace — same podium, same backdrop, same message as the past two years. As someone who’s passionate about the mission of the United Nations, watching the scene repeat itself felt deeply frustrating. The U.N., an organization of 193 member nations that aims to promote global unity and resolve conflicts, now seems powerless in the face of these challenges. While critics have dismissed the U.N. as ineffective or symbolic at best, I remain hopeful. The U.N. still holds potential, but realizing that potential depends on taking the right actions.
The U.N. was established in 1945 from the ashes of postwar Europe and the failures of its predecessor, the League of Nations. While historians argue on why the League crumbled — some attributing it to a lack of power to enforce decisions and others to the weight of greed and national self-interest — the U.N. aimed to avoid the same issue. The 50 founding nations of the U.N. embraced a revolutionary vision that emphasized the significance of international collaboration in maintaining lasting peace. 70 years later, in 2015, this vision expanded beyond mere conflict prevention, as the U.N. launched its Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to achieve global dignity, peace, and prosperity by 2030. These goals range from eliminating poverty and hunger to ensuring quality education and climate action.
However, as we witness ever-increasing casualties in Palestine and Ukraine, the gap between the U.N.’s aspirational vision and the harsh truth has never been wider. The U.N.’s response to the conflicts has revealed both its potential and limitations. The General Assembly passed resolutions calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza; the World Food Programme and other agencies delivered critical humanitarian aid that reached millions; the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and United Nations Relief and Works Agency provided shelter and emergency aid to help millions of displaced Ukrainians and Palestinians. All of this is genuinely and demonstrably positive. On the other hand, these actions are easily disrupted by escalating tensions and hostilities, paving the way for yet more devastation. But beyond diplomatic deadlocks and endless policy debates, civilian casualties — whose lives are shattered by relentless violence — remind us what’s truly at stake. I remember an hour-long call with a Jewish friend who told me three of his relatives were killed at the Supernova Sukkot Gathering on October 7th; my Palestinian instructor told me how she never saw her grandmother again after missiles hit her apartment. Similar stories are told by countless Russians and Ukrainians, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian action and peacemaking efforts.
These everyday stories of loss and resilience underscore the need for us to reexamine the role of the U.N., not only in addressing these crises but also in embodying its core mission: uniting nations. To fully understand its potential, we must look beyond its successes and failures and consider the broader principles and collaborative efforts that define the organization. Ultimately, the U.N. doesn’t exist in isolation. Rather, it is an organization formed by every recognized nation on Earth. While the U.N. Secretariat can mediate tensions and provide unparalleled infrastructure for international dialogue, its effectiveness depends on each member state’s willingness to collaborate. As the U.N. Charter emphasizes, the organization is founded on the sovereign equality of all nations in maintaining international peace and security, emphasizing each nation bears equal responsibility to advance these goals through concrete action. Even amidst devastating conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, progress can only be made if nations embrace a broader vision of global peace over narrow self-interest; respect international law; honor the global community; and set aside hostilities in favor of peaceful dialogue. Therefore, the effectiveness of the U.N. represents more than institutional success; it embodies the triumph of respect, cooperation, dialogue, and compromise over division, hostility, and violence.
This vision may seem unfeasibly utopian amidst the current global tensions, and translating it into reality will require tremendous effort. But I believe in the U.N.’s potential to bring success in the long run. It is up to those in power to realize it.
