The United Nations (UN) turned 80 on Friday, but it doesn’t feel like a time for celebration. The organisation, set up on October 24th, 1945, now teeters on the brink of irrelevance given its failure to respond effectively to recent crises in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan. Despite this, the Irish Government has stated its intention to seek election to the organisation’s Human Rights Council in 2027.
What should our priorities be towards an institution that is widely regarded as not fit for purpose? How can we assess the last eight decades of international co-operation through the world’s only global international organisation?
When world leaders gathered in New York last month for the UN General Assembly, there was surprisingly little mention of the 80th anniversary of the UN. In stark contrast to other major anniversaries, which have been marked by fanfare and declarations of support, this time the tone was d
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