There has been released much glorifying news from the UN and the participating States about the historic moment the Millennium Summit constitutes. However, the price tab of having over 150 extravagant state leaders talking, lodging and shopping in New York probably never will be released.
Experts are pessimistic when it comes to assessing the possible results of the summit.
It might very well be that in short time, we will not call it the Millennium Summit, but the Great Millennium Party. It is, indeed, a historic moment, both for the United Nations and humanity at large. By the time the general debate starts next week, we will celebrate its outcome and pay tribute to the world leaders for their collective will towards world peace, cooperation, development and for their reaffirmation of support for the United Nations. Despite the enormous wealth being generated by globalisation, however, we are currently failing in this task. This is not the fault of the UN, but rather, of the governments whose actions do not match the fine words they have espoused at international conferences over the last decade.