Danilo Türk,
　　Former President of the Republic of Slovenia

　The annual conference of the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS)　was held at Lund University in Sweden from 17 to 19 June 2013. The theme of this year`s conference was “Leadership in Global Governance.” More than 200 scholars and researchers from all over the world participated in the conference. (The photo shows, Former President of the Republic of Slovenia Danilo Türk speaking at the last plenary session along with David Malone, Rector of UN University.)

　Opened by Abiodun Williams, Chair, ACUNS and President, The Hague Institute for Global Justice, the conference covered such topics as ” Women`s Leadership in Global Governance,” “A Review of Multilateralism and International Organizations,” “Ethical Leaders and Global Leadership: building on the Legacy of Dag Hammarskjold,” and “Democratic Governance, Human Rights and Accountability” in addition to “Leaders Looking Over the Horizon.” The plenary session speakers included Hans Corell, former Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and the Legal Counsel, United Nations, David Malone, Rector of the UN University, Thomas Weiss, Director, Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, Ramesh Thakur, Editor-in-chief (Australian National University), Miriam Estrada-Castillo, Visiting Professor, Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Manuel Frohlich, and Professor, Friedrich Schiller University Jena.

　Professor Hasegawa discussed the importance of primordial leadership for post-conflict countries and the need for national leaders to rise above political infightings and promote accountability. Also participated in the conference from Japan were Mr. Sumihiro Kuyama, former Deputy Executive Director of HABITAT, Professors Mariko Shoji of Keiai University and Associate Professor Katsumi Ishizuka of Kyoei University who presented a paper on “Leadership of UN Peacekeeping in Sudan.” The ACUNS conference was a welcome opportunity for UN practitioners and scholars to engage together and contribute to effective research on the future role of the United Nations.”

(Hillel Loew)

From left to right Moderator: Miriam Estrada-Castillo(standing), Visiting Professor, Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, speaking about “Accountability and Human rights: Leadership Challenges for an effective Democratic Governance on the XXI century,” seen with Cyril Ritchie, President, Conference of UN NGOs and panelists Hans Corell, Former Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and the Legal Counsel, United Nations and Sukehiro Hasegawa, Visiting Professor of Hosei and UN Universities and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste