There is never a humanitarian solution for a humanitarian crisis. The solutions for the humanitarian crisis are always political ones.
Antonio GuterresRead
Looking at U.N. staff and budgetary rules and regulations, one might think some of them were designed to prevent, rather than enable, the effective delivery of our mandates. It benefits no one if it takes nine months to deploy a staff member to the field.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote critiques the bureaucratic processes that hinder effective operations within organizations like the U.N.
Antonio Guterres highlights the inefficiencies in the United Nations' administrative procedures, suggesting that rules which are intended to ensure accountability and compliance often end up obstructing swift action and effectiveness. He emphasizes the importance of streamlining these processes to enable timely deployment of staff to important missions, underscoring that bureaucracy should not impede the vital work of international organizations.
Themes
BureaucracyEfficiencyLeadershipUnited NationsAdministration
In practice
Example use cases
In a presentation on improving organizational effectiveness, this quote can be used to highlight the need for reform in bureaucratic procedures.
More from Antonio Guterres
All quotes →As a global society, we have the technology, resources and the know-how to make a massive difference to living standards everywhere, including for refugees.
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The world's problems transcend borders.
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Humanitarian response, sustainable development, and sustaining peace are three sides of the same triangle.
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The fact that societies are becoming increasingly multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multi-religious is good. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness.
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Syria has become the great tragedy of this century - a disgraceful humanitarian calamity with suffering and displacement unparalleled in recent history.
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