In March 1999, it was decided to establish a Task Force in the Secretariat of the United Nations with a mandate of devising a strategy for an "era of application" of international law, norms and principles. The Task Force presented its report in December 1999. Following discussions in the Senior Management Group (SMG), the report was transformed into an Action Plan.

        In a letter to the members of the SMG of 8 June 2000, the Secretary-General disseminated the Action Plan, which each department, office, programme, fund or agency of the United Nations might use as a working tool in planning its future operations. In his letter, the Secretary-General also pointed to a few aspects that should be kept in mind:

• First, action may often be taken at the local or regional level. The programmes and funds have a lead role, and the United Nations Development Group should discuss the matter and revert to the Deputy Secretary-General with an indication of what tools would be most useful to teams "in country". It is important that the funds and programmes take the lead in the field because of their greater flexibility.

• In certain situations, public information campaigns can be used to make specific improvements on the ground.

• Civil society and parliamentarians should be engaged as far as possible.

• Technical assistance projects supported by extra-budgetary funds are often a useful way of operating.

• If the work in this area means that a programme should be refocused, it is essential that the programme manager identifies elements of the programme that could be eliminated to gain focus.