[The Elders Series] The Scourge of Failure: How to Fix the United Nations Security Council

The United Nations was created in 1945, following the devastation of World War II. The opening lines of its founding charter commit its signatories to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. However, with more than 40 active conflicts around the world today, we ask: has the United Nations failed to live up to its aim of ensuring international peace and security?

In this episode, hosts Hazami Barmada and Mary Robinson (former President of Ireland, former UN High-Commissioner For Human Rights and Chair of The Elders) are joined by fellow Elder, veteran UN diplomat and current President of the International Peace Institute, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein. Together, we examine the role and function of the UN’s most influential body - the Security Council.

We dive into the Council’s functions and powers–and unpack its structural weaknesses. On the podcast, we’ll discuss reforms that could help the UN better prevent conflict and meet today’s global threats. We answer questions like: How does the veto power of some nations stand in the way of accountability? How can the structure of the UN Security Council better represent the power structures of the world today? How do we achieve a world with no conflict?

Speaker Biographies:

Zeid Raad Al Hussein is a member of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007, who work together for peace, justice and human rights.

Zeid Raad Al Hussein was UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2014-2018. During his term he was outspoken on several prominent human rights abuses and criticized the regimes who perpetrated them, frequently speaking out against populism, xenophobia and extremism. He also lent his support to young activists and human rights lawyers around the world, speaking out as a champion for grassroots activism. Before becoming High Commissioner, Zeid played a central role in the establishment of the International Criminal Court, chairing the complex negotiations surrounding the elements of individual offences amounting to genocide; crimes against humanity; and war crimes. He has held several diplomatic posts and in 2004 was named Advisor to the Secretary-general on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in UN Peacekeeping Operations.

Mary Robinson is former President of Ireland, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Chair of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007, who work together for peace, justice and human rights.

Mary Robinson was the first woman President of Ireland (1990–1997) and is a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997–2002). A tireless advocate for justice, she was President of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative from 2002 to 2010. Mary Robinson served as the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region of Africa from 2013-2014, stepping down in July 2014 to take up the post of Special Envoy for Climate Change. She continued in this post until the end of December 2015 which saw the successful conclusion of the COP21 Climate Summit and the historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change. In 2016, Mary Robinson served as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on El Niño and Climate.

Hazami Barmada is the Founder & CEO of Humanity Lab Foundation and co-Executive Producer & Host Finding Humanity Podcast.

Hazami is a social entrepreneur, thought leader, and public affairs and social impact expert recognized by Forbes as an “inspirational agent of change.” She has consulted for many leading global brands including the United Nations, United Nations Foundation, Aspen Institute, and the Royal Court of the Sultanate of Oman. Among her posts at the United Nations, she served as the Coordinator for the United Nations Secretary General's World Humanitarian Summit, an Advisor to the first-ever United Nations Secretary-General's Youth Envoy, as a member of the United Nations SDG Strategy Hub for the launch of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Hazami has a Masters from Harvard University where she was an Edward S. Mason Fellow in Public Policy and Management. She studied social and public policy at Georgetown University and has a BA in Anthropology and Sociology. Twitter: @hazamibarmada

This special series of Finding Humanity is a production of Humanity Lab Foundation and Hueman Group Media, in collaboration with The Elders.

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