doi:10.7916/d8-ah5s-j843Oral history interview with Juan Somavía, 2001Somavía, Juanoral historiessound recordingssound recording - nonmusicalEconomic development--Latin AmericaHuman rightsCold WarLabor policyChile History Coup d'état, 1973Somavía, JuanUnited Nations Officials and employeesUnited Nations HistoryInternational Labour OrganisationUnited Nations. Economic and Social CouncilBackground and childhood: born in Britain to diplomat father, 1941, various childhood homes: Dominican Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands, United States, Ecuador; education: Catholic University of Chile, University of Paris; career: General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade [GATT] Kennedy Round, 1966, ambassador and advisor to Chilean foreign minister on regional and multilateral issues, 1968-73, founder executive-director and president of Latin American Institute for Transnational Studies, 1976-1990, South American Peace Commission, 1985-, permanent representative to the United Nations [UN], 1990-99, chair, World Summit for Social Development, 1995, president of Economic and Social Council [ECOSOC], 1993-94, 1998-99, president of Security Council, 1996, 1997, chair, board of UN Research Institute for Social Development [UNRISD], 1996-99; themes: living in various countries during childhood leading to greater understanding of multiculturalism and respect, trade development and regional integration of Latin America, reminiscences of military coup d'etat in Chile, human rights struggles, inability of UN to mobilize new ideas, impacts of global conferences on economic and social issues, UN prioritization of issues, effects of Cold War on conflict management in UN, recommendations for ECOSOC reform, unemployment, development of "decent work" concept in International Labour Organization [ILO], family reminiscences, colleague reminiscences