Michael von der Schulenburg is a former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General with extensive experience in political affairs, peacebuilding, and international development. During his more than 30 years with the United Nations and the OSCE, he served in senior positions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and Sierra Leone, among others, and advised on UN reform and peace operations. He is the author of “On Building Peace – Rescuing the Nation-State and Saving the United Nations” (Amsterdam University Press, 2017) and continues to engage in research and policy dialogue on international peace and global governance.
On 1 September 85 years ago, Adolf Hitler’s German Reich invaded Poland, igniting theSecond World War and unleashing indescribable misery and suffering across Europe and the world. In its aftermath, the UN Charter emerged, carrying the promise of a world order free from war. Yet, almost simultaneously, humanity developed its most destructive weapon: the nuclear…
