International territory in NYC (United Nations Headquarters)

Member Name: MykReeve

Product:	United Nations Headquarters
Date:	25/07/00 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Interesting tour, good sculptures on display

Disadvantages: Having to go round at the speed of a tour group

The United Nations was founded in 1945 after World War II with the aim of promoting and attempting to bring about world peace. It originally had 51 member nations, but now boasts some 180. The New York headquarters of the UN, located on 1st Avenue, was built when John D Rockefeller Jr donated 8.5 million dollars for the purchase of the site. The 18 acre site is now no longer US territory, and is designated an international zone. It even has its own stamps and post office that you can visit at the end of the tour.

Guided tours take place hourly throughout the Summer, and are fascinating. Depending on which councils are in session, the tours visit as many of the council meeting rooms as possible. There are three councils – the Security Council, where delegates discuss UN military action; the Trusteeship Council, where decisions are made about the readiness of nations to be given independence; and the Economic and Social Council. The guided tour also visits the General Assembly, which is the only part of the United Nations which all the member nations are allowed to attend - this is the room that you often see on television when statements are made at the United Nations.

On the tour, you also see some of the gifts that member nations have made to the site. Britain's contribution is a sculpture by Henry Moore ("Reclining Figure"), Luxembourg's is a sculpture of a gun with a knot tied in the barrel ("Non Violence"), and China's is an intricate "Willow pattern" sculpture unfortunately carved out of politically-incorrect ivory. There is also a Peace Bell, rung once per year by the Secretary General, which was cast from the coins of 60 nations.

In order to go round the United Nations building, you must go on a guided tour. They are, however, relatively cheap, and the staff are extremely well informed and friendly. Oh, and while I think of it, you have to go through a metal detector to get in.

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