[brudgers]

Because the WHO is part of the United Nations, it operates primarily in diplomatic circles. This means protocols matter. For example, when negotiating with local officials on the ground, the political implications for the local officials are different if the party with whom they are negotiating arrives in a limousine from a top hotel or arrives by bus from the Motel6. One allows the local official to present the negotiated result as a compromise between equals, the other may provide an opportunity for political opponents to cast compromises and concessions or just plain reasonableness by the local official as weakness.

The WHO has a unique political capability in regard to reaching consensus on international health policies. It is better equipped to get political commitments from local political leaders when it comes to issues like getting medical supplies across the borders of a dozen countries. In no small part this is because the WHO provides the cover of legitimacy for local political leaders. And with no doubt part of that legitimacy comes from the WHO's ability to project an image of power...it is backed up by UN peace keeping policies. As with diplomacy in general, the WHO travel budget is cheaper than military deployment.

[kbart]

I don't buy this, it still sounds like hypocrisy. The power of WHO (and UN) doesn't come from their image, but from the fact that they are backed by the mightiest nations on Earth. I'm sure WHO representatives would be taken seriously by some local bureaucrats even if arrived to the meeting on bicycles.

[brudgers]

There are several aspects of what I described that do not align with the way I would like the world to work and would prefer if alternative methods were practical. In the world of politics and diplomacy, I don't think they are because politics and diplomacy require engagement with actors who are not driven by scientific methods, generally praised moral theories, or a strong sense empathy or who simply cannot do positive things without first caring for their political survival.

The WHO has the political ability to operate at the ministerial and executive level above regular bureaucracy. A technocrat may not care if a senior WHO official arrives on a bicycle, but the WHO does not always deal with technocrats and a meeting planned with a technocrat may turn out to be a meeting with a politician as well or instead.

That's part of why protocols matter for the WHO more than for Médecins Sans Frontières. Protocols also matter more for the WHO because its primary role is at the diplomatic level even during an emergency. During the same emergency, Médecins Sans Frontières primary mission is on the ground delivering services at the endpoint.

[trendia]

We had a local politician who was caught using money to fly first class instead of economy. They defended themselves by saying "You can't step off economy to meet with the leaders of the world."

But it doesn't matter. If you are part of WHO and arrive at your destination, you aren't going to be greeted on the plane. You're likely going to get off the plane, get in a car, and head to your hotel.

In other words, other people rarely have anything to do with it. Most meetings take place inside a meeting room, not a plane or limo.

[lodi]

Interesting; I hadn't considered that. Thanks for raising this viewpoint.