United Nations Global Conferences

United Nations Global Conferencesdiscusses the origins, meaning, purposes, trends and controversies concerning the convening and impacts of United Nations global conferences. It is a particularly propitious time for such a study since there are 30 such conferences to compare and many argue that they have not been worth the money expended on them. Others, however, suggest that the only effective way to address global problems, like racism, sexism, overpopulation, environmental degradation, over-fishing, urbanization, and the proliferation of small arms is through the convening of such conferences. This book, the first comprehensive comparative study of such conferences provides information essential to the ongoing debate about the pros and cons of multilateralism and includes an examination of: * The typical structure of a conference * Description of the Global Conferences * Substantive and institutional outcomes of the conferences * Changes resulting from the conferences *UN Conferences as mechanisms for coping with the problems of the 21st Century This book will be essential reading for students of the United Nations, international organization and global governance, as well as practitioners from non-governmental organizations.

Michael G. Schechter is Professor of International Relations at James Madison College of Michigan State University, USA