That's me, the guy with the paper in his mouth. Taken from Shoot Nations website - www.shootnations.org

Today's post (as there is still not much of interest at the UN for the youth sector) will introduce the topic of World Federalism, or a true world government:

The current system of global governance is one without a true world government. Instead, interstate organizations, NGOs, alliances, ad hoc coalitions, treaties and customary international laws function to maintain order in an anarchic system of global politics. As of now, the United Nations is not a true world government; it lacks, among other items, the ability to levy taxes, maintain an effective police force, and most importantly make laws that are truly binding and enforceable. In fact, realist theory stipulates that the world system is perpetually locked in anarchy, and that states are the only actors of any importance. However, despite overwhelming evidence and thought supporting realist theory, the possibility for the emergence of a true world government remains strong. Throughout history, the underlying trend for government organization is undeniably one of larger and larger spread. Empirical evidence points to a continuation of that trend, leading to governments that cover increasingly wide portions of the earth’s area.

Currently, several domestic and international groups exist, urging for continuing coordination and integration into a world government (World Federalist Movement 5). These groups include the World Federalist Movement, the Centre for International Governance Innovation, One World Trust, the Center for the Study of Global Governance, Civitatis International, and Democratic World Federalists. While these groups differ in the details of their philosophy (membership, transition, power, representation, purposes etc.), they are united under their belief in a world federation.

There appear to be three main cultural barriers. First, there currently exists no unifying quasi-global identity; second, each culture currently has a very different moral set, making it near impossible to make laws that do not violate any culture’s sovereignty; last, people in the world are not yet comfortable with the idea that representatives from a completely different culture can create binding laws over them. These cultural gaps must be bridged before federalization can begin to occur.
However, it is probable that all of these obstacles will be overcome via globalization, preventing a scenario depicted by Huntington or Barber. In the modern age, the world has seen an extraordinary amount of international exchange take place in all spheres of life. Most conspicuous perhaps, are the cultural exchanges. Unprecedented levels of tourism, migration and business travel have brought people face to face with others and their cultures. Meanwhile, immense decreases in transportation and communication costs, combined with constantly improving technology, have allowed for media and information exchange like never before. For example, Americans are more comfortable with Chinese culture because of immigration, while Ghanaian children can download Indian movies and gain acceptance of foreign norms. This exchange, over time, breeds cultural familiarity, acceptance, then appreciation.

There are basically two schools of thought on the subject of transition to world government: a gradual change or a revolution (Baratta 344). Most scholars today favor a gradual transition, but Glossop also gives merit to a revolution of sorts, likely following a catastrophic war (22). By contrast, Fuchs has given up on revolution and gradualism, noting that “superior force may bring about political integration” (18), citing several historical parallels for expansion by military force. Hamer lists numerous methods of possible transition: reform of the UN, enlargement of the EU, a functional approach – where increasing calls for integration gradually lead to a natural world state, a regionally integrated strategy, and through an evolutionary approach – where smaller organizations generally become more inclusive (131).

Last, the debate over the structure of a federation is very polarizing. The involvement of the UN is much discussed. The general opinion of many organizations, including the World Federalist Movement, is that the most probable path to a world government is via “a constitutional reform of the United Nations, to transform it into a genuine, democratic world federation of nations” (Hamer 131). Generally it is believed that UN structure is currently inadequate, but that reform is possible through amendments to the Charter (Voicu 6). Meyer certainly agrees, calling for an upgrade of UN power to the point of a world government (9). However, not all scholars see the UN as the vehicle to an international government. Strauss advocates for a global parliament operating independently of the UN (1), although a UN reform could still theoretically be used to arrive there. In addition, many disagreements over theoretical organizational structure exist, largely centered around the power distribution between a federal government and nation states. Delbrück notes several differences between forms of transnational federalism, all with different power balances (47). These debates are not of the utmost concern, largely because solutions will evolve naturally over time.

Empirical trends and historical examples suggest that an eventual world government is more than possible, it is probable. Scholars have advocated the benefits of an international federal system for millennia, and recent movements towards integration have generated an increasing amount of interest. Following the second World War, masses of philosophers, academics, and organizations preached the need for a global government, citing numerous advantages in maintaining global security, environmental regulation, economic development, healthcare, and scientific innovation. However, the globe is not yet prepared for a true government, and the UN certainly does not function as one. Before a world federation can be formed, several barriers must be overcome. Cultural obstacles are currently being broken by globalization, and it is not difficult to foresee the emergence of more global identities, communication between differing moral values, and unprecedented levels of comfort with outsiders. Debates remain over technical issues of federation structure and transition, but these will be solved naturally over time. The only remaining question is not if a world government will evolve, but when it inevitably will.

So for those out there who are proponents of the UN system, it is interesting to think about what the optimum structure would be. Do you favor an expansion of UN power and role? Reform? Do you see a world government as a positive goal? Or a negative one? Where would you like the UN to be in 20 years? Feel free to discuss.

Erik Preston
GYAN's UN Assistant

Hello everybody. This week, since nothing of interest is happening at the UN, I will post some snippets from a recent paper on GYAN and their role within the UN framework:

GYAN’s unique role is of the most interest to the NGO community. They operate largely as a distributor, facilitating NGO coordination and providing technical expertise when needed. This role is described by GYAN: “More than 1,000 organizations have applied for membership in GYAN, representing youth-led, youth-serving and youth friendly agencies of all kinds. GYAN helps its members to share information and resources, building collaborations that leverage experience” (1). In this way, groups working on similar issues can share knowledge, or nearby groups can coordinate to reduce competition over funding and participation. Similarly, GYAN uses it ECOSOC consultative status to provide member groups with a window to the UN, facilitating dialogue and exchange. Using its partnership with TakingITGlobal and their online forum, one of the largest youth networks ever created is managed effectively. As Quinto describes it, “GYAN fills the niche of providing the connective tissue of what has become a global youth movement”...

Similarly, coordinating with the UN is critically important to GYAN’s programs. The main objective is to “increase the active and effective participation of young people within the UN” (Quinto). This is done in a variety of ways. GYAN often will actively represent its member’s interests or provide expertise in direct consultation with the UN, or in seminars and conferences. Frequently, direct advocacy work is performed as GYAN urges for the formation of a youth council within the UN framework (Global Youth Action Network 4). Conversely, the UN often subcontracts surveys and analysis on youth issues to GYAN, which provides the extensive network of individuals and organizations with which to obtain or disseminate information. Overall, GYAN “serves the movement as a central nervous system” (Quinto), uniting its network in representation at the UN...

Working with the UN allows GYAN’s member organizations a unified voice at the global discussion table. The variety of tasks GYAN performs at the UN (advocacy, consultation, lobbying, surveying, disseminating information) are all useful, and mutually beneficial. GYAN and its members have increased participation in international issues, while the UN has access to an extensive feedback network. GYAN has “measurably increased youth participation at the United Nations” (Quinto), and should continue to do so as long as it keeps its UN program a priority...

GYAN also demonstrated the various ways in which NGO involvement at the UN can be beneficial to the global system. While NGOs can currently receive consultative status, it seems that more frequent and integrated involvement could only be positive (White 92). One of the key roles within the UN system is simply promoting new issues and agendas: “International organizations and movements have been very influential in shaping the discourse within which international decision making and action occurs. Concern for the environment, for women's equality, and for disarmament would not have achieved international expression without the backdrop of social and political understandings promoted by NGOs” (Otto 122). Simmons agrees that NGOs help set agendas (84). Furthermore, Donini notes that NGOs can also provide field assistance, and direct programming on the ground (430). GYAN demonstrates a series of other functions NGOs can perform in the UN: disseminating information, representing a network of likeminded advocates, providing a more individual representation, consulting on issues of expertise, and advocacy. It is imperative that civil society continues to integrate into the international system of governance...

Global governance is constantly evolving, and increasingly involving civil society in its decision making process. NGOs have the ability to play a key role in coming years, as their integration and numbers are constantly growing. Their strength lies in their diversity, breeding innovation and adaptability. However, the current fragmented nature of their community is not practical. While some networks between NGOs are forming, the level of coordination and cooperation needed to be truly influential does not yet exist.
The Global Youth Action Network provides an excellent prototype for evolution within civil society. GYAN acts as a distributor, linking the NGO community together to increase coordination, improve efficiency, and provide access to the UN system. They work to reduce overlap, share knowledge, reduce competition for funding and participation, and connect similarly minded groups. This is a novel role for an NGO that provides key services to an increasingly efficient and productive youth movement. GYAN also reveals how structural reform and partnerships can mutually benefit NGOs, as well as movements as a whole. If similar network-based organizations can evolve in all sectors, NGOs could become far more productive and influential globally...

-Erik Preston

Running Diary of the UN’s Youth Day Extravaganza
August 10, 2007
UN Headquarters, NY

Begin running diary.

10:48 AM - It’s raining - not like Wednesday though, subways are still up to speed. But I still don’t own an umbrella. I am currently the only person in the security area wearing nice pants, a dress shirt, a tie, and a worn green “This land is your land” summer camp zip-up hoodie. What a surprise.

11:03 AM - I’m late. Where is this place? The Youth Day program is being held in the Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium.

11:21 AM - Some adolescent young lady behind me has just been impromptu selected to introduce a speaker – the only qualification: she confirms that she is a good reader. Dang, I’m a good reader. That could have been me.

11:23 AM - I have just checked my “Brief Guide to Youth Delegates to the United Nations General Assembly” handbook. The dude on the cover has a huge tie. Could that be the fabled quadruple Windsor??? That’s a good way to be taken seriously as a young person – tie a huge clown knot. I’m rocking a slip knot right now, very casually cool.

11:25 AM - The assembly still hasn’t started. This guy with cornrows and an I-pod is officially pop-locking in the corner. No joke. He’s pretty good too. Eh, I take it back, he’s a B+.

11:26 AM - I find myself pulling an old favorite – looking into the projector and sound room above the auditorium to see what those people are doing in there. Nobody’s there, so sad. They always look so robotic – come on guys, enjoy the show a little bit!

11:36 AM - Lots of kids are taking pictures so they can put them on facebook and show their friends that they were at the UN.

11:40 AM - I have met a British girl sitting next to me. She just commented that it is possible to count the number of people on a guest list and then the number of seats in an auditorium, so why aren’t there enough seats right now? Good point. The auditorium is now overflowed. I keep my mouth shut about how I never put my name on a guest list.

11:41 AM - We’ve started the show. And by the way, no joke, we just did a, “HELLOOOO” – audience murmur – “HELLLLLOOOOOOO!!!” – audience hello. Summer camp style – unbelievable.

11:49 AM - It’s International Youth Day! Sweetness, even though it’s actually on Sunday. “From Ghana to Greece, Bahrain to Bangladesh,” – that’s alliteration, nice. Let me try one: From Canada to Cameroon – hey that was fun.

11:52 AM - Another girl next to me has a copy of the speech from the Secretary-General’s Office. How’d she get that? Some themes: youth work on MDGs, HIV, development, providing energy and idealism, cultivating promise and potential. “Youth are our most valuable resource,” – and you know what? I agree.

11:54 AM - Fred Doulton, our MC, is about to get things “jazzy”.

11:56 AM - The group is called PLAYERS. And you know what, the girl reading the introduction is not even a good reader. It should have been me after all. Ah, the missed opportunities in life.

11:58 AM - Actually, this group is really good. The cornrows guy is in it. They’re funny, good speakers, and just made a Bill Cosby joke. As for the step dance itself, I’m impressed – well rehearsed, pretty cool.

12:05 PM - And we have Kirsten Jordan from TakingITGlobal. Nobody told me that they would be here! That’s our partner network by the way. The highlights: bad joke about having to follow step dance, mentions how geographical barriers have fallen via the internet, asymmetrical technological distribution – need for impoverished to have access.
- I have to say, and no, this is not a shameless plug, that the internet really is a powerful tool for youth in social work. So check out www.takingitglobal.org – it’s like facebook for activists.

12:18 PM - We have heard the word "awesome" a couple times now. It's always mildly entertaining to hear high level diplomats throw out words they have never used before.

12:20 PM - Shoot Nations Photography is now giving a presentation. I remember them because I had to put them in a newsletter once. Highlights: a forum for photo exchange and cultural communication, pictures are actually pretty good, the British girl’s speeches sound way more polished than the American boy’s – shocker, a nice gift of a light box with photos to the UN.

12:34 PM - The City Council of New York makes a Youth Day proclamation. Standard photo opportunity – I’m not a fan.

12:36 PM - A young man gives a speech on youth and the MDGs. It actually is pretty good: connected issues to the youth, personalized, positive tone, good public speaking – wow, nose dive. We have just blamed terrorism on poverty. Ok, this needs to be clarified. The overwhelming evidence shows almost no connection between poverty and terrorism. Terrorists have not evolved in the world’s 50 poorest nations, and furthermore terrorists within nations tend to come from middle income regions. In fact, a certain degree of economic success and political freedom is necessary for terrorism to be possible at all. That should be kept clear.

12:44 PM - Young Professionals for International Cooperation – this is pretty positive. Basically, we’re talking about projects youth can do at home and in our communities. People ought to do more of these, it’s just so hard to see the bigger picture when you’re in 7th grade. Big theme: act locally, think globally.
- Another awkward moment just happened: the lady on stage picked a little kid out of the crowd to encourage participation and totally patronized him. She basically put him on the spot and asked him what the UN does – like anyone could give a one sentence answer for that. Talk about fun for that kid.

12:50 PM - Really, this whole assembly is pretty good. It’s relatively inspiring, personal, and features some impressive projects. More people ought to have seen this, can we webcast?

12:55 PM - Inspiring Youth to Be Seen and Heard: hey this presenter is Japanese – ii desu yo! Ok wow, this is terrifying. This whole presentation is super overly idealistic – I’m just not sold on how much can be accomplished through world wide prayer.
- “When we pray, we can be whole in the moment and forget about the world’s problems.” What?! Oookkkk, let’s try to not forget about the problems we’re trying to solve here.

1:01 PM - Conclusive remarks: Youth can do positive things for communities. Be seen, be heard. Act locally, impact globally. Thanks Mr. Doulton.

End running diary.


Heading back to the UN next week…

Erik Preston
GYAN’s UN Assistant

Seminar: Human Rights for “We the Peoples”: what should we expect from the UN Human Rights Council?
August 8, 2007
UN Headquarters, NY

Today, the UN held a seminar and information session on the newly developed Human Rights Council. The event was sponsored by OHCHR (Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights) and WFUNA (World Federation of United Nations Associations). The discussion centered mostly around a recent meeting in Geneva, which outlined and updated upcoming council policy.

A little background info: the Human Rights Council has grown out of the failed UN Commission on Human Rights, which was largely ineffective and often granted high profile positions to nations with considerable histories of human rights violations. The Human Rights Council, formed over a year ago, is based in Geneva and is the “centerpiece of the human rights reform package in the UN”. No longer does the UN simply act as a forum for international conflict resolution, it now attempts to maintain individual safety and fulfillment for peoples in nations everywhere. This shift towards a more local responsibility is headlined by an increasing number of human rights treaties and organizations within the UN system – chief among them the Human Rights Council.

The structure of the council is fairly straightforward. It functions as a subsidiary body to the General Assembly, with 47 member states currently. These states are subject to examination under the Universal Periodic Review system – every four years each UN member state is reviewed by the council, then given recommendations on their human rights policies. States are reviewed with data submitted from three main areas: from the national government itself, from other UN departments, and from outside sources such as NGOs and local individuals. Rather than a trial, a cooperative and constructive dialogue is envisioned for the review, with balanced participation from all regions and sectors.

Some notes from the seminar:
- The council will feature an advisory committee of human rights experts to provide support and advice, as well as research current human rights issues.
- Special procedures for human rights emergencies are in place, but not necessarily well defined at this point. As time goes on, this seems like an area the council could improve upon.
- Individuals and NGOs can file formal complaints to the council, and procedures are in place for addressing these concerns. Reported HR violations are victim-oriented.
- The effort for collaboration with outside NGOs, human rights organizations, and other UN associations is strong. Organizations currently have the ability to submit complaints, provide shadow reports on human rights policy during review, and be present during the periodic review discussion. Continuing this effort to integrate civil society into the discussion on human rights is critical for the council’s success. Individuals and organizations have long contributed to the crusade for human rights in a variety of ways, including recognition of rights violations, promoting and advocating action, raising public awareness, and adding to debates on regional issues. It is certainly encouraging for the youth of the world working individually or in small grassroots organizations to see that the UN has formally recognized the important role of the civil sector.
- As of now, the HR Council has held five regular sessions and four special sessions. While nothing significant has transpired thus far, the framework is seemingly in place for more decisive action in the future.
- After 5 years of operation, the council will be subject to review by the General Assembly. The key point of concern will be how effective the council has been in making changes on the ground, which it was specifically designed to do.
- For regular updates on the council’s actions, check out http://ohchr.org or http://www.hrcouncil.info/, which even features webcasts of sessions.

Some concerns:
- Notably absent from the seminar’s discussion was the topic of cultural relativism vs. universalism. For years, scholars have been weighing in with their view on the debate: should cultural practices be respected as sovereign? Or instead does a universal set of human rights apply across cultural boundaries? In my view, this is something that needs to be more formally addressed by the UN. Without coming to a relatively well accepted conclusion, any action over human rights will be highly contested.
- A large amount of scrutiny has been directed to the Human Rights Council over the issue of Israel. Many feel that an undue amount of attention is paid to the nation, and that a fair balance of human rights issues is not represented. This is certainly a concern, but seems like it will most likely dissipate over time as the council matures. In addition, this claim was harshly refuted by the speaker for the OHCHR.
- The UN, while not intentionally designed to deal with individual rights, has become the perfect vehicle to do so. Due to its superior global awareness, financial means, and perhaps most importantly legitimacy, the UN has a chance to set new standards in international human rights. However, as it is currently designed, the council will be thoroughly ineffective. While its review process seems comprehensive, it offers no real solutions at its conclusion. Nations cannot be expected to simply abandon human rights violations that have become engrained in their government. The Human Rights Council needs to offer more enforceable recommendations, legitimate economic sanctions, a loss of power within the UN, or referrals to the Security Council to become more persuasive with violators. These improved responses can evolve over time, but until an effort is made to address them, the council will remain relatively inconsequential in the world.


Heading back to the UN on Friday for Youth Day…

Erik Preston
GYAN’s UN Assistant