The diagnostics of reform: The evolving tasks and functions of the United Nations

The commemoration of the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations in 1985, rather than being a celebration of accomplishment, has instead raised fundamental questions about the efficiency of the organization in carrying out its current tasks and the ability of the organization to respond to demands of the twenty-first century. The questions have been expressed in narrow terms of administrative efficiency and financial management, which in themselves reflect what might be called an 'unfocused disenchantment', a sense of malaise based on a feeling that an elusive 'something' is wrong with the organization, which should be fixed.