The global work of the United Nations is not without reason compared to that of a family - striving for a common goal in concert with all members for a better future.

Founded on the principles of private initiative, entrepreneurship and self-employment, underpinned by the values of democracy, equality and solidarity, the co-operative movement can help pave the way to a more just and inclusive economic order.

The U.N. power comes from concerted action of the governments.

We tend to look at countries in terms of failed states and functioning states, which is rather simplistic.

Children are our future, and their mothers are its guardians.

I laugh a lot inside and outside, and at myself sometimes.

After the end of the cold war, everybody thought, fantastic, finally the UN may be able to do what it was originally set up to do without big power divisions. It would be easy to get them to come together to resolve things. You will recall, on the first Gulf war, you almost got a unanimous resolution and a very solid coalition.