The Multilateral Approach

An important feature of present-day interna tional relations can be found in the activities of the large num ber of international organizations, both governmental and non governmental. These activities, based on the joint participa tion of members or affiliates in three or more states, involve a multilateral approach to operational problems, as opposed to a bilateral approach where only two partners are concerned. At present, one person in seven who obtains financial help for study abroad does so through an international organization. The multilateral approach also has an important effect on the international movement of persons through the meetings, courses, and expert missions which are arranged under such auspices. Another important function of international organi zations lies in the studies and research they undertake or spon sor based on information obtained from many countries. This facilitates an over-all view of problems and solutions on a re gional or world-wide scale. In this way, the effective opera tion of bilateral as well as multilateral programs can be encour aged. There is, however, no question in the foreseeable future of multilateral programs displacing bilateral programs. Each should complement the other. For the present, the problem, if any, lies in the need for co-ordinating efforts directed towards the solution of urgent world problems.