Non-Aligned Movement

[[File: Non-Aligned Movement

Non-Aligned Movement
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Formation	1961
Type	Intergovernmental organization
Headquarters	None (rotating chairmanship)
Membership	120 member states
Language	N/A
Leader title	Chairperson
Leader name	Yoweri Museveni (as of 2023)
Website	Non-Aligned Movement

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is an international organization of states considering themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. Founded in 1961, the movement was established during the Cold War as an effort by countries to avoid being caught in the struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union.

History

The origins of the Non-Aligned Movement can be traced back to the Bandung Conference in 1955, where leaders from 29 Asian and African countries gathered to discuss peace and the role of the developing world in the Cold War. The movement was formally established in 1961 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito, Jawaharlal Nehru, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Sukarno, and Kwame Nkrumah.

Principles

The Non-Aligned Movement is guided by the following principles:

1. Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. 2. Mutual non-aggression. 3. Mutual non-interference in domestic affairs. 4. Equality and mutual benefit. 5. Peaceful coexistence.

These principles were inspired by the Panchsheel or Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which were originally formulated in the context of Sino-Indian relations.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement are to:

- Ensure "the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries" in their "struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, and all forms of foreign aggression, occupation, domination, interference or hegemony as well as against great power and bloc politics." - Promote and reinforce the unity and solidarity among the member states. - Advocate for the restructuring of the international economic order. - Support the self-determination of peoples under colonial or foreign domination.

Membership

As of 2023, the Non-Aligned Movement has 120 member states, 17 observer countries, and 10 observer organizations. Membership is open to any country that subscribes to the principles and objectives of the movement.

Structure

The Non-Aligned Movement does not have a permanent secretariat or headquarters. Instead, it operates on a rotating chairmanship, with the chair being held by a member state for a period of three years. The highest decision-making body is the Summit Conference of Heads of State or Government, which meets every three years.

Criticism and Challenges

The Non-Aligned Movement has faced criticism for its lack of cohesion and effectiveness, particularly after the end of the Cold War. Some critics argue that the movement has struggled to redefine its role in a unipolar world dominated by the United States. Additionally, the diversity of its membership, which includes countries with vastly different political systems and economic interests, has sometimes led to internal disagreements.

Also see

• Bandung Conference
• Cold War
• Panchsheel
• Third World
• Group of 77