International Democracy and UN Reform
International Democracy & United Nations Reform
The Issue
The current global structure of power is tipped in favor of national legislatures, leaving local, regional, and international bodies without adequate efficacy. By strengthening bodies within the United Nations, the collective effort for common concerns of peace, security, and development may be more comprehensively addressed while retaining the legitimate sovereign statuses of nation-states. Specific objectives for UN reform include greater accountability and transparency in United Nations Security Council, General Assembly, and election processes (including that of the Secretary-General).
Our Role
CDIL works with the World Federalist Movement (WFM), UN Associations (UNA), the Alliance for Our Common Future and many other groups promoting strengthening and reform of the U.N. - especially relating to human rights mechanisms, the Security Council and peace-keeping/ building, Charter Review, the General Assembly, decision-making processes, the International Court of Justice and international dispute settlement and the role of major groups and NGOs.
Roles of Non-Government Actors (NGAs) in the U.N: CDIL works with other organizations promoting the enhanced role of NGOs and major groups in the U.N., especially advancing linkages between human rights and environment, development (UNCED NGOs) and other major groups. A specific goal is to help develop structures, mechanisms and processes for more just and effective cross-sectoral NGA cooperation, representation and decision-making.
Our Projects
UN2020 - Since early 2017, CDIL has worked with the World Federalist Movement (WFM) and other civil society partners in advocating for a UN Summit marking the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and addressing today’s crisis in multilateralism through a multi-stakeholder process of stock-taking, recommitment to the principles of the Charter and organizational reform. Read more
Project CHARISMA: Researching proposals to improve the efforts of the Secretary-General in mediating and arbitrating disputes between states.
Weighted Voting - Second Assembly: CDIL conducts research and education efforts to reform U.N. decision-making processes, including proposals for weighted voting and more democratic representation at the U.N.
Resources | Key Documents
Report: World Federalist Congress (The Hague), July 2018
[Article] The United Nations: A Planetary View (Rene Wadlow), June 2018
Lecture by Ian Miller (UNA-UK) @ Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library, 23 May 2018