UN Conference on Sovereignty and Self-Determination

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Topic: Rights of self-determination within the United Nations System

Self-determination is one of the most changeable concepts present in the study of International Relations and International Law. Almost uncountable meanings were given to this key word. Nowadays, there is no fixed idea of what would be self-determination. Not only theoretical debates have produced different conclusions, but different state and non-state actors discern self-determination by different points of view. What remains is not an endless doubt, but the conviction that the contemporary world may have several territorial and political boundaries disrupted by the use of this concept to guide foreign affairs.

The principle of self-determination has been a key one to the United Nations body ever since its creation and has gauranteed the liberties of peoples all around the world. On the other hand, the recurrent unsolved cases which continue to pursue their unrecognized self-determination - such as Tibet, Abkhazia, Basques, and Kosovars, to name just a few - prove that this issue is far from settled. In July 2009, delegates from all around the world will participate in the first official UN Conference on Sovereignty and Self-Determination. Although the main goal of a final document produced for this topic will not be the provision of solutions for specific cases, delegates must work hard to assemble decisions that will be the base for later decisions regarding self-determination.

The hope and the worries of many people and states will be discussed and decided; so do not miss the chance to influence the future of millions!