Introduction: “Death and Life the United Nations Way”

With a dramatic introduction that highlights the difference between the cultures and ways of Headquarters versus the Field within the United Nations, “Death and Life the United Nations Way” takes the reader to the dynamics of UN operations and contribution, specifically in the case of the UN Agency that the author, Stephen Hill, was responsible for over a decade in Asia and the Pacific. This organization was UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization—also responsible for Communication, Media Freedom and World Heritage within the United Nations system. Stephen, a previous academic with commitment and practical experience of making knowledge work for the empowerment of societies across Asia, suddenly found himself in a very different and even potentially dangerous world where UN action could make a difference, but suddenly unexpected events of inter-group conflict or environmental catastrophe could determine the agenda for action. His book travels through this experience and the lessons learned not as an academic analysis but as a lived experience Biography that demonstrates the potential strength “In Defense of Our Humanity” of United Nations action in community empowerment for enhancing humanity generally and dealing with the problems and conflicts that otherwise tear our societies apart.