A top official with the United Nations Association of the United States of America will take what he calls a Hard look at the Future of the United Nations by speaking about the organizatin’s accomplishments, current problems and reform proposals at the end of November.

James M. Olson, vice president of the United Nations Association, will give a speech about the role of the United Nations on Monday Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. in the SIU law school auditorium.

Olga Weidner, president of the local United Nations Association, said Olson’s speech at SIU was designed to highlight the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations.

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The United Nation’s 50th anniversary celebration ended Tuesday Oct. 24, and The Washington Post reported that the celebration was the largest assemblage of world leaders ever.

The Post also reported that when the celebration was completed, the general agreement was that the world body needed reforms to adapt it to post-Cold War realities and cash infusions to avert bankruptcy.

Olson said he will address the financial crisis the United Nations currently faces because a number of countries are not fulfilling their financial obligations to the organization.

The U.S. is the leading culprit, Olson said.

All together, countries owe the United Nations $4 billion, Olson said.

The U.S. owes $1.4 billion of that total, Olson said. The U.S. owes more than any other country.

Olson said the final point he will make will be about citizen participation within the United Nations.

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Citizen awareness and citizen involvement is an essential component, Olson said.

Olson is also the executive director for the National Programs department of the United Nations Association.

Weidner said he is responsible for the association’s national network of 165 chapters and 135 affiliated organizations. She said Olson is the liaison between these groups and police makers in Washington and the United Nations.

Olson holds degrees from Hamline University and New York University and taught history and political science at Jacksonville University in Florida.

Olson’s speech is sponsored by the Southern Illinois chapter of the United Nations Association for the United States of America. A reception at the law school will be held immediately after the speech.