Pluralism – what is it and why do you care about us?

Pluralism is an essential element in the face of major global challenges such as climate change and irregular artificial intelligence.

What does the term “pluralism” mean?

Originally, the term “pluralism” was used in engineering to refer to shapes that contain several aspects. As for the political context, it is used to describe cooperation between several countries with different interests and visions to achieve common goals.

The United Nations system is the main platform for pluralism, as countries meet to address global issues and find common solutions. Through conferences, summits, and meetings, the most important challenges facing the world are discussing and enhancing international cooperation to address them.

In international relations, countries work together (cooperation), negotiate to reach compromise solutions (settlement), and coordinate their efforts (coordination) to meet the challenges that no country can deal with alone. These three elements help build confidence and resolve conflicts in peaceful ways.

Make the modern world possible

Imagine if each country has developed an independent system of phone calls, airlines, shipping, or mail, without any coordination with others. This would lead to a state of chaos in travel, communication and global trade. Thanks to pluralism, we have unified international systems that facilitate these matters and make them possible.

Thanks to the existence of global standards for a group of our daily health activities to postal systems to travel and others to pluralism, and the creation of a series of multilateral organizations, many of which were established in the nineteenth century, and are now part of the United Nations system.

There are two multiple parties that preceded the United Nations:

• International Telecommunication Union (THAT): It started in 1865 to unify the telegraph networks. Now, it helps in governance of radio frequencies, satellites and the Internet.

• International Labor Organization (ILO)It was established in 1919 to enhance workers’ rights, encourage decent job opportunities, enhance social protection, and strengthen dialogue on labor issues.

Policy mode

Since 1945, the United Nations has helped countries work together and conclude important agreements.

The main arm of policy -making in the organization is the General Assembly, and it is a unique forum for multilateral discussions of international issues. Each of the 193 member states of the United Nations has equal votes, regardless of the size of its economy, population, or military power: Monaco’s vote bearing the same weight that China’s vote holds.

United Nations achievements

Another feature of pluralism is to set standards. The General Assembly plays this standard role, as it has established many international laws and treaties related to disarmament, human rights and environmental protection.

One of its greatest achievements is the formulation and approval The Universal Declaration of Human Rights The pioneer, who paved the way for a comprehensive group of human rights laws.

It was formulated by representatives of various legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, and it was announced by the General Assembly in 1948. For the first time, it was determined by basic human rights that must be protected globally and inspired the constitutions of many newly independent countries and new democracies.

cold war

During the Cold War (from the late 1940s to the early 1990s), the United Nations played a major role in peacekeeping and reducing arms. Despite the threat of a nuclear war, a third world war was partially avoided due to the United Nations providing a platform for discussion and decision -making.

The United Nations today

After about 80 years, the United Nations is still the world’s major multilateral organization, as it harms and coordinates international work in areas ranging from peacekeeping to Economic development To trade.

Millions of lives were saved thanks to the humanitarian aid provided by the United Nations, which led to the provision of food, health and shelter to conflict and disaster areas. The multilateral framework has expanded beyond countries to include representatives of civil society, youth, the business sector and others.

What next?

Member States are often struggled to deal effectively with the current global threats and challenges, starting with destructive civil wars and cross -border conflicts to increasing economic inequality between countries and within them, existential threats due to irregular artificial intelligence and climate change.

To ensure that the United Nations will remain suitable for the purpose for which it was established as a prominent global forum for pluralism in the coming decades, member states, Secretary -General Antonio Guterres in 2020, called for a vision of stronger global governance for current and future generations.

Political reforms were summarized in several fields, from peacekeeping to the structure of the international financial system, education, and the involvement of young people in decision -making within Our common plan, Which included recommendations to enhance and update the role of the United Nations. These recommendations were mainly formed for “Future Charter”Which was adopted by world leaders during Future Summit It was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York in September 2024.

Invitation to the Secretary -General of the United Nations to work

In his first year in his position, Secretary -General Antonio Guterres stressed that the existence of laws and agreements alone is not enough, calling for a stronger commitment to a global system based on the bases, the United Nations is in its position, along with institutions and treaties that embody the principles United Nations Charter.

He stressed the need for intertwined pluralism that links the United Nations to other international and regional organizations, and to a comprehensive pluralism capable of holding the challenges and threats facing the world today and tomorrow.