“The United Nations was not created in order to bring us to heaven, but in order to save us from hell.”
Dag Hammarskjöld
Eighty-one years later, his words resonate with urgency. In a world increasingly shaped by military power and geopolitical rivalries, we risk forgetting that force may impose decisions, but only wisdom can build lasting peace.
Three leaders remind us of this fundamental truth
Dag Hammarskjöld embodied the moral independence of international service, defending principles beyond the interests of powerful nations.
Nelson Mandela demonstrated that reconciliation, rather than revenge, can transform adversaries into partners and conflict into hope.
António Guterres, approaching the conclusion of his second mandate in December 2026, has defended multilateralism, international law and human dignity despite deepening global divisions.
The Paradox
The United Nations is being weakened by the very powers that established it. Those that bear primary responsibility for international peace and security, and arguably need it most.
The five permanent members of the Security Council possess extraordinary authority, but their rivalries and political calculations too often obstruct the collective action the UN was created to deliver.
The institution cannot be stronger than the political commitment of those entrusted with its leadership.
Throughout my humanitarian experience across Iraq, the Balkans, Africa, the Middle East and Asia—including Timor-Leste and the Aceh tsunami and more recently in Poland and Ukraine, I witnessed the human consequences when diplomacy fails.
The UN undoubtedly needs reform, accountability and renewed credibility. But its greatest challenge is not merely institutional weakness. It is the erosion of political will to uphold the principles of its Charter.
Moral Courage
The greatest danger is not that the United Nations has become irrelevant, but that those who need it most are undermining its ability to act.
On United Nations Day, Hammarskjöld, Mandela and Guterres remind us that leadership demands more than power: it requires moral courage, reconciliation and responsibility.
Power can win wars. Only wisdom can build peace.
“The United Nations was not created in order to bring us to heaven, but in order to save us from hell.”
Dag Hammarskjöld
Eighty-one years later, his words resonate with urgency. In a world increasingly shaped by military power and geopolitical rivalries, we risk forgetting that force may impose decisions, but only wisdom can build lasting peace.
Three leaders remind us of this fundamental truth
Dag Hammarskjöld embodied the moral independence of international service, defending principles beyond the interests of powerful nations.
Nelson Mandela demonstrated that reconciliation, rather than revenge, can transform adversaries into partners and conflict into hope.
António Guterres, approaching the conclusion of his second mandate in December 2026, has defended multilateralism, international law and human dignity despite deepening global divisions.
The Paradox
The United Nations is being weakened by the very powers that established it. Those that bear primary responsibility for international peace and security, and arguably need it most.
The five permanent members of the Security Council possess extraordinary authority, but their rivalries and political calculations too often obstruct the collective action the UN was created to deliver.
The institution cannot be stronger than the political commitment of those entrusted with its leadership.
Throughout my humanitarian experience across Iraq, the Balkans, Africa, the Middle East and Asia including Timor-Leste and the Aceh tsunami, and more recently in Poland and Ukraine, I witnessed the human consequences when diplomacy fails.
The UN undoubtedly needs reform, accountability and renewed credibility. But its greatest challenge is not merely institutional weakness. It is the erosion of political will to uphold the principles of its Charter.
Moral Courage
The greatest danger is not that the United Nations has become irrelevant, but that those who need it most are undermining its ability to act.
On United Nations Day, Hammarskjöld, Mandela and Guterres remind us that leadership demands more than power: it requires moral courage, reconciliation and responsibility.
Power can win wars. Only wisdom can build peace.
Kamel Deriche
Chief Programmes, Strategy and Localisation Officer, INTDEV Connect
