October sees the United Nations celebrate its 80-years anniversary.

Founded in 1945, in the wake of the 2nd World War, the founding members adopted the UN Charter, which starts like this: “We the peoples of the United Nations determined

* to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and

* to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and

* to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and

* to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom”.

It is ironic that the founding meeting took place in San Francisco, in the country which stopped paying its contributions, left many of the UN specialised agencies, the Human Rights Council and withdrew from the climate change agreement. And on the contrary, supports some of the perpetrators of genocide…

While we have progressed in many fields, we are also failing the ambition of the UN Charter. We have serious issues with keeping the peace, upholding international law and human rights, and in ensuring equality and sustainable development for the many.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres this week warned that the world is facing “the highest number of armed conflicts since the end of the Second World War.” He added that these crises are “marked by rising identity-based violence, widespread violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, and deepening impunity”, including two outrageous, unfolding genocides and induced famines in both Sudan and Gaza, and the never-ending war in Ukraine, close to home.

So, has the UN outlived its role? I spent almost 30 years working in the organisation and across the globe, on humanitarian, disaster risk reduction and environmental issues. I am convinced that we need the UN and the multilateral space more than ever.

Peace can only be built on trust, respect and understanding and the only place where unbiased (read: neutral) talks and negotiations can take place is still the United Nations. Despite its shortcomings and lack of resources. It is so sad that a few powerful countries are trying to destroy this family of organizations. This could be topic of a different story…

For us at the Costa Tropical there is a lot to be grateful for, despite the tragic global conditions. Among the Nordics we have activities to look forward to, starting in earnest during October. 

Tomorrow, October the 8th, we start up with cava and a fun talk in English by Carmen Fernandez about Those Crazy Andalusians. These meetings are for members, but we do accept non-members to participate for a fee of 5€ per occasion. So if you are interested in meeting up with a bunch of cheerful Scandinavians you are welcome to join at Chinasol in Almuñecar, at 18 hours.

For the rest of October Wednesdays, the talks will be in Swedish (sorry!).

15 oktober: Spain in Focus – current affairs, by journalist Mats Björkman (Sydkusten)

22 oktober: Talking about life – Bara bada bastu! Kaj Kunnas (former Finish Television journalist)

29 oktober: Eutrophication and Oxygen Deficiency in the Baltic Sea, Professor

Per Hall.

Please check our website for all the other exciting activities and plans: www.losnordicos.com

My final words today – let us develop more solidarity for those in need, among us and across the globe. Be kind to each other, life is too short to fight over stupidities! Peacebuilding starts at home.

Los Nordicos-Almuñecar (Costa Tropical) is an association of more than 500 Scandinavians, independent from politics and religion, with the purpose of supporting each other and to build bridges with the Spanish society.

(New/Feature: Los Nordicos, Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)

Keywords: UN, 85th Anniversary, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Human Rights Council, Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine

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