Little wonder that in those countries, mediocrity is knowingly entrenched.

The Human Rights Council, we hope, will address the problem of politicization that has long been embedded within the Commission on Human Rights.

Stereotypes about desirable occupations and professions for men and women are still deep rooted.

Khamenei was forced to use his authority to support the president, and has since repeatedly condemned the Green Movement that opposed Ahmadinejad s re election.

Of course, as in other countries, bureaucracies are creatures of habit. As we can already see, it will not be easy to overcome the obstacles posed by vertically integrated ministries and agencies.

For the older members of the European Union, whose administrative systems are founded on more or less similar and deep rooted values, revitalization simply entails reorienting internal processes towards external demands, rather than subjecting the systems to radical, roots and branch restructuring.

Adam Smith talks about 18th century America, where the prohibition against visible displays of wealth was so great, it was almost a block in the economy in New England, because even wealthy farmers could find nothing to spend their money on without incurring the displeasure of their neighbors.

As we can already see, it will not be easy to overcome the obstacles posed by vertically integrated ministries and agencies. Institutionalization will take time and the importance of its success cannot be understated.