The 50th anniversary of the United Nations provides a welcome opportunity to reflect on what the world organization has been able to achieve during the first half century of its existence. The contributions assembled in this volume all purport to ascertain whether and to what extent it has been possible to promote the community values acknowledged by the UN Charter through methods and mechanisms in accordance with the rule of law. The work does not confine itself to focusing solely on developments of the past, and provides insights which can be used as beacons for the future. The volume has been divided into two parts. The first part is devoted to the institutions and mechanisms designed to maintain international peace and security. The second part addresses the additional tasks of the UN. Contributions are from experts who, as nationals of countries enjoying special privileges within the UN system or seeking to obtain such a position, are intimately familiar with the policies of their governments, what specific objectives they would like to see pursued by the competent organs, and what changes in the institutional structure they may suggest.