The terms of reference for this report are: to inquire into and report on the role of the United Nations and Australia's relationship with the organisation in the post Cold War environment, with particular reference to: The increasing demand for and provision of peacekeeping operations to address internal disputes within states and the subsequent need for humanitarian relief and support for refugees; The role of the United Nations in the period of transition following peacekeeping operations and in the reconstruction of civil societies; The implications of increasing intervention in internal disputes for national sovereignty, as defined under Article 2 of the Charter of the UN; The suitability of developing a standing army for the United Nations; The possible devolution of responsibility for restoring and maintaining peace to regionally based UN operations and coalitions of the willing.The capacity of the UN to protect human rights as a basic requirement of the Charter, as preventative diplomacy and to address war crimes and crimes of genocide; The viability of the International Criminal Court; The proposals for reform of the structure of the UN, in particular the security Council, the specialised agencies, the supporting bureaucracy and the relationship between the security and humanitarian/human rights arms of the organisation; The funding shortfall; and Australia's role in and response to the United Nations.