Strategy for an Era of Application
of International Law - Action Plan
Adopted
by the Senior Management Group and Approved by the Secretary-General,
June 2000
 Download Action Plan in PDF
8. Education of United Nations Staff
Background
If the Secretariat, Programmes, Funds and Agencies are to take effective steps
to promote the better application of international law, it is essential that
staff members be aware of international law and appreciate its central place
in the work of the Organization.
Issue
No general programme currently exists to promote awareness and understanding
of international law among staff members.Such measures are undertaken by certain
Secretariat units only. Such awareness seems to be limited to staff directly
involved in the application of international law in their activities.
Action
The Secretariat should identify:
 The basic level of knowledge
of international law and pertinent legal instruments that is required or that
is desirable for all those who work in the Organization;
The particular level of knowledge
of international law and pertinent legal instruments that is required or
desirable for those working in specific fields of the Organization;
Staff members should, at the
time of their appointment, be briefed and provided with training and reference
materials, ensuring that they possess the relevant level of knowledge of international
law and are familiar with the pertinent legal instruments;
Training courses in international law
should be developed and run as part of the staff development programme to
ensure that staff members possess and maintain the relevant level of knowledge
of international law and are kept up to date with pertinent developments
in their fields. (Law schools and private law firms might be approached with
a view to their providing such courses on a pro bono basis.)
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