Practice Norm 8

Abstract

It is necessary to strengthen the United Nations (U.N.) and other such organizations so that these groups can develop the capacity to identify, prevent, and, if necessary, intervene in situations of conflict within and between nations. Once conflict is stopped, these organizations must also work to ensure peace and reconciliation. In the twenty-first century, security concerns of states are simultaneously internal, regional, and transnational. At the same time, the evolution of the idea of human rights has also given these international efforts a vital role. As U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has stated, state sovereignty necessitates responsibility, first to prevent internal conflict and human rights abuses, second to respond to such situations with appropriate measures, and finally to rebuild areas that have been harmed by such clashes. Empirical data show that the more nations are engaged in supporting U.N. actions, the fewer wars they experience.