Books in the Global Institutions series

Human rights and conflict resolution have been traditionally perceived as two separate fields, sometimes in competition or in tension and occasionally with contradictory approaches towards achieving a lasting peace. Although human rights norms have been incorporated and institutionalized by various national, regional and international organizations that deal with conflict resolution, in practice, negotiators and mediators are often pressured to overlook international human rights principles in favor of compliance and more immediate outcomes. The chapters in this volume navigate the relationship between human rights and conflict resolution by fleshing out practical, conceptual and institutional encounters of the two agendas and then by engaging with lessons learned and windows of opportunities for mutual learning.

The book will set the scene through a theoretical introduction to ask the questions, and then features chapters on each IO from experts, with comments and additional insights from experienced practitioners or observers, and a conclusion that explicitly draws out the comparative lessons and contrasts the insights of practitioners from those of external observers. It seeks to develop an alternative approach to the analysis of IOs that takes account of all those involved, whether state representatives, IO leaders and members of the secretariat. .

Offers an insight into the United Nations - the Secretariat and its head, the Secretary-General, summing up the history, structure, strengths and weaknesses, and continuing operations of a global institution. This book is suitable for students of the UN, international organizations and global governance.

Will tensions and disputes among states sharing international water courses and lakes turn into active conflicts? Addressing this question, the book shows that these concerns are more prominent due to the locations and underlying political dynamics of some of these large rivers and the strategic interests of major powers.

Provides a description of and context for the global proliferation of think tanks. This work identifies the forces driving these phenomena by addressing some of the historical and current factors that have dominated policy debates around the world. It is of interest to students of international relations and international organizations.

Today, virtually all UN bodies and specialized agencies are undertaking efforts to incorporate the promotion or protection of human rights into their programs and activities. This title examines these initiatives within the broader context of human rights practice, including the promotion of individual rights.

This comprehensive new work offers a systematic analysis of growing Chinese engagement in global governance institutions during the past three decades.

Over the past five decades, the European Union (EU) has developed into the most legally and politically authoritative regional organization in the world, wielding significant influence across a wide range of issue areas. European Union and Environmental Governance focuses on the growing global role of EU environmental and sustainable development policies in Europe and around the world.

The UN global conferences have been one of the world's most important attempts to solve many of its most difficult problems. Provides background to the UN coferences, explaining their history, organisation and politics.

"The first book to tackle the issue of global poverty through the lens of global institutions; this fully updated volume provides an important resource for all students and scholars of international relations, development studies and international political economy"--

UNICEF is one of the best known organizations of the United Nations system and the oldest of the UN's development funds. This book brings out the wider reasons for UNICEF's success and popularity, setting them in the context of UNICEF's evolution since 1946 and drawing lessons for other international organizations.

Provides an introduction to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and an overview of its debates and controversies. This book addresses questions, such as: Where did the IMF come from? What does it do? Why do so many governments participate in its programs? And what are their effects? How can we best reform this key global institution?

The United Nations General Assembly is arguably the most important discussion forum for global politics. This book examines the history, organisation and politics of the institution and assesses its future prospects.

Analyzing the role and impact of Diaspora Organizations (DOs) in International Relations (IR), this interdisciplinary volume provides empirical accounts of their work across Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East.