In nearing the end of my time at the UN, I thought that I’d take a few seconds to reflect on the considerable myths (I can’t think of a better name) that seem to emanate and surround the UN. In any organisation as big, as important and as removed from the populace (that’s up for debate as well I suppose) as the UN, I suppose myths become a part of life. And perhaps in a society as obsessed with highlighting and clinging to the more seedy aspects of our world, it’s a tragic reality that most myths damage the UN’s credibility.

So here is a few of my observations from being part of all of it (and they are only mine):

The UN is a talk-fest, is ineffective and a waste of money

I think it’s first very important to articulate what we actually mean when we say ‘the UN’. The UN is made up of 191 member states that direct a Secretariat and scores of affiliated agencies (ie UNICEF, UNDP, UNEP etc) in their work.

I think that it’s hard to find justification in writing off the incredible works of UNICEF and UNDP as ineffective and a waste of money. I can only conclude that such a myth refers to the General Assembly process of 191 member nations. This is what I have been part of, and here the myth is a little easier to believe.

There are few arguments that could defend at least a part of the General Assembly from being a talk-fest. Many times it seems exactly that. You often sit there and, although completely entranced by it all, you wonder exactly how this talk equates to anything in real-life. As interesting and surreal as it is to be there and listening to it all, there is only so many times you can listen to Palestine and Israel hoe into each other; Cuba, Iran and USA sound off at one another; Cyprus, Greece and Turkey take aim; Azerbaijan and Armenia stare each other down - without questioning what this actually achieving.

On not infrequent occasions, arms of the UN won’t even discuss things, because the issues are considered ‘too sensitive’. You think ‘Geez, if the UN won’t deal with these things, who will?’

As a Child Protection Social Worker (in my real life), so used to doing things, this has been quite a frustrating thing to be part of.

But it is so important to remember who this part of the UN is. The UN is merely a collection of 191 Governments. At the Australian Mission to the UN in New York (due to a very fortuitous 14 hour time difference), every night after work Canberra is contacted and communicated with, as to what the instructions for negotiation will be for the next day at the UN.

Whatever happens at the UN, is as a direct result of world governments. I think that sometimes we forget that the UN is just a forum, and not an entity in itself.

But the media (And I feel pretty uncomfortable using that wonderful blanket term ‘the media’) loves to perpetuate that the UN is a toothless tiger - idealistic, but bloody useless. Likewise, governments like to comment (read: criticise) the UN for its ‘failure to act’, or ‘failure to predict’, or just ‘failure’.

It is utterly nonsensical really, as the UN is merely a sum of its parts - 191 member states. Again, it is not an entity in itself. Maybe it just suits to blame someone else sometimes. One of the more recent Secretary-General’s, once said that SG (what every body calls the Secretary-General) stands for ‘Scape-Goat’. Make of that what you will.

The United States tries to Sabotage the UN

This myth, I think, exists for several reasons, including the Iraqi war, the appointment of Ambassador Bolton, and no doubt the world’s general feelings about the US. However, unlike most perceptions (including those of Americans and their media), I’m here to tell you (from my very very very low level) that the US is a vibrant and active member of the UN.

In my opinion, they participate in the UN, the way it was meant to be participated in (with a few notable exceptions of course). They have a point-of-view and they put it forward. They put it forward pointedly and assertively - but they have an opinion and they are entitled to it. Their opinion is always well thought out, and independent. It is THEIR view of the world, not a collection, or a gang view.

What’s more important though, is that they listen to other countries, and on almost anything, they will so their utmost to find compromise. Unlike many other countries, they are there to participate fairly and equitably, in a somewhat flawed process.

The UN is only interested in Africa

Perhaps a more correct myth would be that the UN is largely interested in Africa. Whether talking about the NGO’s (Non Governmental Organisations) or the UN, New York is a very Africa focused town.

You can see why: HIV/AIDS is rampant in sub-Saharan Africa; the dissolution of Colonial rule has left large parts of Africa fighting bloody and often forgotten civil wars in countries you and I have never heard of; child soldiers and child trafficking are on the increase; hunger remains desperately ‘normal’; and sexual violence used in wars is disgustingly common-place. Focus is needed in this part of the world.

What has been so humbling for me though, has not been finding out about the need in Africa. I suppose I already figured that there were significant challenges there. It was discovering the needs in my own region, East-Asia and the Pacific, that was so enlightening. I read a statistic that 2/3 of the people in the world living below the poverty line, live in the Asia-Pacific region. After Africa, the Pacific is the region least likely to achieve the MDGs by 2015.

This is my backyard. This is even my country.

Yet around the UN, in relative terms, you would hardly ever hear about our region, in comparison to the din of the states clambering to support Africa. It’s a really strange thing. It’s left to Australia and New Zealand to remind the rest of the world of the opportunities and challenges in our neck of the woods.

Pacific Islands make much less noise than 53 odd African states.

It’s not so long ago that the Solomon Islands were in disarray, Timor-Leste is the world’s youngest country, Nepal and Myanmar (Burma) still have ongoing civil conflict, not to mention the Tsunami. It certainly puts a new spin on every young idealistic Aussie’s dream if wanting to run away to Africa to help the millions.

But when I think about it, if people who live in our region (and I’m talking about me now), don’t recognise the enormity of the challenges, how can we expect others to.

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What I have to remind myself is that whatever the myth, and whatever the reality, the UN is an organisation set up to improve our world. And that is what it is doing. Full stop.