Summary: Workshop on International Cooperation for Local Governance

How democratic is the UN? Is there adequate representation in the UN of general public interests such as human rights and environmental issues? Does central government work? Should we be starting a process of ‘de-globalisation’, focusing more on local development strategies based on local cultures? These were just some of the questions raised at this meeting held on the last day of the World Civil Society Forum. Though those present at Saturday morning’s meeting seemed to agree on the basic principal that widespread representation and participation legitimises and strengthens good governance, various views were put forward as to how the international community should promote local governance.

As a representative of the UN Habitat programme, Ms. Sylvie Lacroux described her work dealing with human settlement and its environmental impact. The “Habitat Agenda” focuses on shelter provision and campaigning for ‘good global governance’. Criteria include the level of inclusiveness e.g. of minorities, women, etc, and level of representation in decision-making, how attractive is it to investors, the safety of the environment and the accessibility of necessities such as clean water and food. Through operational activities such as providing technical assistance and training, and through global campaigning, UN Habitat works towards poverty eradication, inclusive government, and capacity building of local government.

Mr. Jeffery Segal of UNGA-link gave a brief history of the UN’s response to calls for transparency. Highlighting the Commission on global governance in 1995 as a definitive first step, the commission called for an annual forum of a people’s assembly or parliamentary body within the UN System. He noted calls made in July 1996 for a strengthening of the UN system by allowing a fixed number of civil society representatives observing the General Assembly’s proceedings. Mr. Segal stressed the importance in that representatives of the UN General Assembly itself undertook this initiative. Indicating further signals of empathy to civil society participation, he quoted former UN General Secretary, Mr. Boutros Boutrous-Ghali who in September 1996 endorsed increasing the UN’s capacity to work with a set number of NGOs directly said “civil society will mitigate the effect of world politics”. Later Kofi Annan incorporated a people’s assembly into the Millennium program for reform and the strengthening of the Un in for the 21^st century. Mr. Segal proposed that a liaison body such as UNGA-link be used to better facilitate civil society co-operation (e.g. preventing the overlapping of events) and acting as a representative NGO observer of the UN General Assembly. He also introduced the possibility of allowing the NGO observers to act within the UN as a subsidiary body to the General Assembly.

Mr. Rob Wheeler of the Millennium People’s Assembly Network, asserted the fact that the UN is a consensus based organisation, change is difficult due to states’ ability to block initiatives. He pointed especially to the veto power of the security council and the difficulty of overpowering the vote of the five permanent members. He addressed the unequal balance of power, advocating increased civil society participation as the road to better democracy. He supported increased NGO participation in the UN but was concerned that states may down play their importance. He advocated the World Civil Society Forum as a mechanism for action on a global stage for civil society organisations (CSOs). Stressing a need to bring key organisations of communities into the decision making and focusing on the needs of communities and practicing influence of the national level, he also brought up the possibility of the formation of a World Parliament, built up through grass roots organisations. He supported the upward organisation of governance from local committees, to regional assemblies to the national effort, linking the local to the global. He also recommended that the hypothetical World Parliament be by some extent associated to the UN.

Mr. Takehiko Uemura raised the issue of environmental degradation and outlined four strategies for better governance. Firstly he promoted “development from within” where the emphasis is on local CSOs and NGOs and the placement of greater importance to the local culture, customs and identity. Secondly, he advocated better environmental consideration in development. Thirdly, he proposed “global citizenship education” for the promotion of awareness for example in richer countries of the difficulties in the South, and finally he urged for better networking, information sharing and co-operation between existing networks of CSOs. In line with the idea of governing from below and collective action, Mr. Uemura proposed the establishment of a worldwide network of “United Global Citizens” with the objectives of creating a sustainable society in harmony with the environment and based on principles such as self-reliance, freedom to self-determination and better equality.

Ms. Lau Kin Chi of Asia Regional Exchange for New Alternatives (ARENA), continued with the idea of alternative strategies to development. She asserted that global governance should be based on local governance. She argued that policies and programs coming from a centre such as the WTO or World Bank, do not address the problems of daily living in communities and marginalize indigenous and rural populations. Referring to ARENA’s work in China and India, she opposed the urbanisation and modernisation plans considered synonymous to development. She advocated rural self-reliance and the networking of communities internationally in the sharing ideas and similar experiences as well as the networking of CSOs and NGOs in facilitating the mobilisation of volunteers, expertise and resources. Proposing a drastic change in the structure of global governance, Ms. Lau suggested the eradication of central initiatives and linking up the periphery in the sharing of ideas.

In a refusal of the idea that increased trade and globalisation were the root causes of inequality, Mr. Terrence Paupp of the International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEMP), blamed integration, and institutions such as the World Bank and IMF, and the “reality of exclusionary governance” for muting the democratic voice. He pointed to inclusionary governance and responsive, truly representative government as essential in conflict prevention. Expounding on the concord between justice and peace, he highlighted the marginalized and disenchanted as those most susceptible to resorting to terrorism. He urged for a more just trading regime, a process of de-globalisation with a reorientation towards domestic rather than foreign markets and forcing an increased social conscience into the market. He proposed a rethinking of the role of the state to one that is tolerant of diversity, encourages popular participation, has a distributive justice system, engages in the promotion of human rights, and expands its resources to the previously excluded. Addressing the issue of arms struggles, he promoted the establishment of security communities based on political solidarity and confidence building. Deploring the hegemonic control and power of the G8, WTO, IMF, World Bank and FTAA, as well as the escalating cost of international mistrust, he ended his speech quoting John F Kennedy, urging for a future where “the strong are just, the weak are served, and pace is preserved”.

Surprising issues
Ms. Sylvie Lacroux expressed her concern at the calls for democratisation of the UN. She pointed out that there exist clauses such as those in the UN Charter and the Millenium Declaration to moderate the UN’s activities, as well as mechanisms such as the civil society forum, which allow representation from civil society. She said that she was “not convinced of this bottom up approach”.

Conclusions
Though there were different views as to how the structure of global governance is best organised, there was general agreement for the need to create a body to allow better civil society participation. Knowledge and resource sharing through networking and the raising of public awareness and placing of pressure on national governments through the media were highlighted as key tools in participating in decision-making and representing the concerns of civil society.

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20.04_segall_jeffrey.doc (24 K)
20.04_uemura_takehiko.doc (24 K)

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