What is a UN Resolution?

A United Nations resolution (UN resolution or UNSCR) is a formal text adopted by a body of the United Nations, such as the Security Council or the General Assembly. A resolution can address a specific issue or a broad topic, and if passed, creates new legally binding obligations for the parties to the conflict. Resolutions can also be amended, or withdrawn, and are normally voted on in open formal meetings, with the results recorded in the meeting record.

The most powerful body of the UN, the Security Council, has a core responsibility to maintain international peace and security. It does this through a number of mechanisms, including the veto, a unilateral power available only to its permanent members, known as the P5: the United States, China, France, Russia and the UK. UN Watch has been calling for voluntary restraint on the use of this power since 2014. In September 2014, at a ministerial-level event organized by France and Mexico on the margins of the 69th session of the General Assembly, High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein supported a proposal by the French delegation that would encourage the P5 to “voluntarily and collectively pledge not to exercise their veto in cases of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes committed on a large scale”. However, this was not implemented.

Foreign Policy and the New Age of Globalization

foreign policy

Throughout history national leaders have been judged almost exclusively on how well they advanced state security. Those who did so best received the highest ranking. Today, the task is far more complex. With globalization and advances in communications and travel, what happens around the world can have profound impacts on the United States. The ensuing challenges demand the attention of a president, and a nation, that is prepared to face them.

Promoting a democratic and free world order in the new age of global politics requires four broad strategies. First, the United States must sustain and strengthen the bases of its power. This means ensuring that America’s economy is not overextended and that the United States retains its technological and military edge. It also means sustaining and strengthening a network of alliances and trade agreements with countries that share our democratic values and interests, and making sure that the American public understands the value of supporting the diplomats and other foreign service personnel who make these relationships possible.

Neither Biden nor Harris offers a fully articulated plan for confronting these challenges, but their record in government suggests that they are likely to avoid the radical disruption that Trump promises and to offer continuity with some tweaks. In particular, their approaches to standing up to foreign pressure and promoting multilateralism suggest that a future Harris administration may not diverge as much from a future Trump administration in terms of its foreign policy approach as one might have expected given their different ideological temperaments.

Museums and Government Policy

government policy

Policymaking is the process by which government sets a course for action that can have a profound impact on people, organizations and society at large. Policy can take many forms including regulations, subsidies, taxes and spending plans. Its aim is to achieve certain social or economic objectives such as fostering growth, reducing poverty, or protecting the environment.

To be successful, policies must be based on extensive research and consultation with stakeholders. They should be clear, concise and easy to understand. They should have champions and stewards that can push them forward when the political climate becomes tough. They should also be able to survive a change in leadership.

Developing and implementing policies is an intricate process. It requires an understanding of the social context, prevailing political values and the structure of the government in order to create effective policies. Ultimately, good public policy should deliver solutions that are both fair and cost-effective.

A policy is a set of statements of institutional respect and responsibility that articulates expectations and provides a framework for consistent decision-making and resource allocation on a specific issue. Museums use policies to guide their operations in areas such as collections, loans, de-accessions and personnel.

There are different types of policies based on the type of instrument used and the level of endorsement or approval. Portfolio, sector or area policies are broader in scope and may require Cabinet-endorsement. Departmental or agency-level policies are more focused on internal matters like human resources, technology and risk and often do not need Cabinet approval.