By: Barnali Bose, Editor-ICN Group
On A Tour Of The United Nations Headquarters In New York City
A visit to the United Nations headquarters! My heart skipped a beat. United Nations had till then been a chapter to be read in textbooks, see news feed on Facebook and read tweets of. This was not even in the bucket list of mine, for the thought of visiting the UN had never occurred to me. In fact, I wasn’t even aware that it was permissible to do so. Suddenly, the unexpected becoming possible seemed too good to be true.
The United Nations headquarters is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of the borough of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River.
The clock had just struck 9 am when our cab came to a halt on 46th Street, 1st Avenue. Visitors are supposed to arrive approximately one hour before the commencement of the tour for Security Screening.The time slot for our guided tour was slotted at 10 a.m, so we were just on time.
A guided tour offers an exciting opportunity to explore the United Nations behind the scenes. Guided tours are from Mon to Friday.We had booked our tickets online on the official website.
Without further delay, we procured our security passes and wristbands at the Visitor Check-in Office on 801, 1st Avenue, 45th Street, located just across the street from the UN Visitors Entrance. After undergoing Airport- like Security screening, we found ourselves in outdoor plaza, the large open area of the United Nations.
There were some displays that were gifts from various countries. “Sphere within a Sphere”, a glistening polished bronze sculpture greeted us as we stepped onto the outdoor plaza. A gift from Italy, it has been designed by a famous artist, Arnaldo Pomodoro. In fact, it seemed almost uniquely destined for its site on the UN plaza. This complex work of art comprising a sphere growing inside another can be a metaphor representing the birth of a new peaceful world.
A uniform-clad band was playing some music that I could not identify but which nonetheless was very energising. Videography being strictly prohibited we captured the scene on camera.
Walking Through The Corridors Of International Diplomacy
We stood there for awhile before checking in at the Cashier’s Desk. There were very interesting displays in the Visitors Lobby but since our Korean guide was waiting for us, we decided to examine those later.
The United Nations Headquarters being a workplace, the guide politely reminded us to speak softly. Delegates hold their meetings in the Chambers where visitors enter on tour and pass by the same corridors that the guided tours use.
All visitors were dressed in a way that respects the professional working environment of the United Nations.
The General Assembly Hall is the largest room in the United Nations, with capacity to accommodate more than 1,800 people. I was in a daze as our guide led the way into the General Assembly. He seemed to be a repository of information. He narrated many interesting facts about the United Nations.
Due to a high-level meeting of delegations, the Security Council was out of bounds for visitors. However, our guide pointed out to the screen stationed at the entrance of the Security Council. We could actually see the proceedings on it although the audio was not on, for obvious reasons.
As we passed the corridors, we saw enlarged framed photographs of the Secretary Generals in chronological sequence of their holding office,adorning the walls.
When our Korean tour guide drew our attention to a board displaying the live worldwide military expenditure, we were dumbstruck. Starting from the previous midnight to noon that day which was about twelve hours, the amount was a whopping $2,699,146,292. My eyes fell on the quote that read, “The world is over armed and peace is underfunded.” How sadly true! Something inside my heart thawed in consequence.
We thanked our guide for the enriching experience, he had facilitated for us. Left on our own, we stopped by the Public Inquiries Counter, located at the Visitor Centre in the Concourse level. Here, we picked up a few free fact sheets.
Exhibitions organized for public awareness were on display in the Visitors’ Lobby, inside the General Assembly building.
They featured photographic and multimedia displays covering important topics that the UN works on, such as human rights, sustainable development, the environment, women and young girls.
Our last stop was at The United Nations Bookshop and Gift shop located in the Concourse level of the General Assembly building. We shopped for some momentos.
The United Nations is the only non-state entity in the world entitled to issue its own postage in US dollars, Swiss francs, and Euros.
With a heavy heart and a much enriched mind, I bid adieu to the corridors of International peace and diplomacy.
How The United Nations Came Into Being
The League of Nations formed after the World War 1 had failed in its mission to prevent further wars. After World War 2, in 1945, nations were in ruins. The world wanted peace.Thus, on October 24, 1945, the UN Charter came into effect.
The UN began to function with 51 Member States. Of date,193 countries are UN Members. The latest country to become a member is South Sudan.
Although the United Nations is situated in New York City, the land and buildings occupied by the United Nations Headquarters are under the sole administration of the United Nations and not the U.S government.
However, in exchange for local police, fire protection and other services, the United Nations agrees to abide by most local, state and federal laws.
Although there are six official languages, the working languages at the UN Secretariat are English and French.
What The UN Stands For
The United Nations, an organization of Sovereign States is sometimes called a “Parliament of nations.” Countries meet to discuss issues such as human rights, social and economic development, and the fight against terrorism, among others.
It is noteworthy that since 1948, more than a million people have served as UN peacekeepers.
War has devastated mankind. Wars have always perpetuated further hatred and sown seeds for more wars.
Still nations talk of war, prepare for war, fight wars, glorify those that fight wars and continue investing intelligence, time, money and precious human lives in war. If all of these are invested for peace and betterment of life, war will be eradicated from the face of the Earth. Therein will lie the fulfillment of the mission of the United Nations.
