Restructuring the Security
Council
Background
The Security Council is one of the most important institutions in the United Nations system. It was designed at the end of World War II to reflect the political order of the times. But today, many view the Security Council as a historical anachronism-an outdated and weak institution that does not represent the political reality at the end of the twentieth century.
There is momentum in contemporary world politics for reform of the UN
Security Council. In fact, many world leaders have publicly pledged their
support for restructuring the Security Council. Political leaders of the
World leaders have called this special summit to consider restructuring the Security Council for the twenty-first century. Your mission is twofold: 1) to consider ways to restructure the Council for the future and 2) to play your assigned roles as government representatives in the negotiations on a new Security Council arrangement. The world awaits your recommendation for a structuring plan that will enhance the legitimacy of the institution and truly empower the United Nations at the dawn of a new millennium. Good luck.
Preparing Position Papers:
When preparing your position paper please address the following concerns or questions:
Membership: How many members should the Security Council have? How many members from which regions of the world? How long should they sit on the Security Council? Any permanent members? If yes, who?
Voting: What should be the voting rules in the Security Council? Consensus? Majority? Super majority? Should any state have the veto power? Which ones if “yes”?
Resources
Members of the UN Security Council
Non-Aligned Movement's Position