New Millennium, New Perspectives

This publication contains papers that were presented at the United Nation University Millennium Conference held in Tokyo19-21 January 2000. The papers take stock of key international trends for peace, the environment, and development and governance, while considering their implications for the United Nations in the 21st Century. The implications and the recommendations arose from the following issues: the impact of globalisation; key challenges in the short and medium terms; the manner in which national governments and the international community might more broadly address the challenges; the comparative advantage the UN has, or could have, in working with the international community in addressing the challenges; the potential for partnerships among states, international organisations, commercial organisations and civil society in collectively addressing these challenges; and the element of 'surprise' or unpredictability and potential critical developments. The United Nations University has the mandate to link the worlds of scholarship and policy making. The aim of this volume is to contribute to this objective.