Maja Groff outlines the vision and aspiration that reform of our global system should embody, and makes the case that such a long-term vision needs to be converted into short term and achievable policy goals, of the kind the Together First process will championThere is an unprecedented urgency and a clear ethical obligation to address a range of pressing issues currently confronting humanity, where the cost of inaction or delayed action is devastatingly high. Such issues include, but are not limited to: the current climate crisis, and the over-stepping of other key environmental planetary boundaries (with the need to address fundamental human survival and inter-generational equity); the continuing proliferation of nuclear and other weapons; the general instability as we transition to a “multipolar” world with shifting international power dynamics; the social and economic volatility caused by economic inequality and instability of the international financial system; and emerging risks arising as a result of current technological innovation.Tackling these issues will require a transformation in global governance, and a reorientation to “people-centred multilateralism”. This should be predicated on the universality of human rights (and responsibilities to each other) and the equality of and dignity inherent to each person, in order to create an equitable and a strongly participatory order that systematically engages global civil society. There must be respect for international cultural, ethnic, and regional diversity as well as for equitable representation in global governance institutions, while still affirming core international values. Established principles of subsidiarity and complementarity in supra-national governance should also be further employed.Achieving this will require leadership from above and below. It will also require quality education, media and information to increase understanding of the crucial national benefits that come from effective multilateral cooperation and to cultivate of a global civic ethic which includes notions of solidarity, empathy, and responsibility. The capacity of the UN system must be significantly enhanced, founded on principles of legitimacy, fairness and transparency. This includes international institutional mechanisms for the prevention of conflicts, tackling their root causes and building from existing obligations for the peaceful resolution of international disputes and for general disarmament. In parallel, international legal institutions are due to be systematically strengthened, including with respect to implementation, monitoring, and enforcement powers.In relation to international environmental crises, we need a paradigm shift towards an understanding of a shared planetary territory to be effectively managed. The interdependence of human and ecological systems must be better understood, as well as the imperative to not only protect the environmental commons but to collectively repair damage from human impact. Local consumption habits must be changed on a global scale to close waste loops and improve recycling, reusability, and sustainability of human-made and natural resources.There must be a reorientation to fair, inclusive and sustainable economies at all levels — shared prosperity must be realized, and systemic economic and financial risks avoided. We must address issues such as extreme wealth and income inequality, and seriously consider the general need for productive employment and living wages with social protection floors. “Competition” in international taxation and illicit financial flows must be tackled. Economic and social well-being are an integral part of human dignity and must be fore-fronted and realised. At the same time, we must move beyond forms of excessive individualism and materialism towards an ethic of shared prosperity, within planetary boundaries.To ensure efficacy of enhanced international governance, enhanced and reliable funding for the UN and other global governance institutions must be ensured. At the same time, new degrees of effective management and service delivery within the UN and its specialized agencies and programs should be realized, and continuing reform processes sustained. Transparent and meritocratic appointments to senior positions within the UN system are a vital first step in ensuring that this takes place. There should also be better inclusion of and coordination with regional organisations.All this will require a new generation of ethical leadership and transparency, legitimacy and effective anti-corruption measures at all layers of government, with all actors subject to rule by law. Maja Groff is an international lawyer based in The Hague, working on multilateral treaties, at international criminal tribunals and teaching at the Hague Academy of International Law. Together with Augusto Lopez Claros and Arthur Dahl, Ms Groff submitted one of the winning entries to the Global Challenges Foundation's New Shape Prize 2018. The views expressed here are individual and are not on behalf of any institution or organisation.
Maja Groff outlines the vision and aspiration that reform of our global system should embody, and makes the case that such a long-term vision needs to be converted into short term and achievable policy goals, of the kind the Together First process will champion
There is an unprecedented urgency and a clear ethical obligation to address a range of pressing issues currently confronting humanity, where the cost of inaction or delayed action is devastatingly high. Such issues include, but are not limited to: the current climate crisis, and the over-stepping of other key environmental planetary boundaries (with the need to address fundamental human survival and inter-generational equity); the continuing proliferation of nuclear and other weapons; the general instability as we transition to a “multipolar” world with shifting international power dynamics; the social and economic volatility caused by economic inequality and instability of the international financial system; and emerging risks arising as a result of current technological innovation.
Tackling these issues will require a transformation in global governance, and a reorientation to “people-centred multilateralism”. This should be predicated on the universality of human rights (and responsibilities to each other) and the equality of and dignity inherent to each person, in order to create an equitable and a strongly participatory order that systematically engages global civil society. There must be respect for international cultural, ethnic, and regional diversity as well as for equitable representation in global governance institutions, while still affirming core international values. Established principles of subsidiarity and complementarity in supra-national governance should also be further employed.
Achieving this will require leadership from above and below. It will also require quality education, media and information to increase understanding of the crucial national benefits that come from effective multilateral cooperation and to cultivate of a global civic ethic which includes notions of solidarity, empathy, and responsibility.
The capacity of the UN system must be significantly enhanced, founded on principles of legitimacy, fairness and transparency. This includes international institutional mechanisms for the prevention of conflicts, tackling their root causes and building from existing obligations for the peaceful resolution of international disputes and for general disarmament. In parallel, international legal institutions are due to be systematically strengthened, including with respect to implementation, monitoring, and enforcement powers.
In relation to international environmental crises, we need a paradigm shift towards an understanding of a shared planetary territory to be effectively managed. The interdependence of human and ecological systems must be better understood, as well as the imperative to not only protect the environmental commons but to collectively repair damage from human impact. Local consumption habits must be changed on a global scale to close waste loops and improve recycling, reusability, and sustainability of human-made and natural resources.
There must be a reorientation to fair, inclusive and sustainable economies at all levels — shared prosperity must be realized, and systemic economic and financial risks avoided. We must address issues such as extreme wealth and income inequality, and seriously consider the general need for productive employment and living wages with social protection floors. “Competition” in international taxation and illicit financial flows must be tackled. Economic and social well-being are an integral part of human dignity and must be fore-fronted and realised. At the same time, we must move beyond forms of excessive individualism and materialism towards an ethic of shared prosperity, within planetary boundaries.
To ensure efficacy of enhanced international governance, enhanced and reliable funding for the UN and other global governance institutions must be ensured. At the same time, new degrees of effective management and service delivery within the UN and its specialized agencies and programs should be realized, and continuing reform processes sustained. Transparent and meritocratic appointments to senior positions within the UN system are a vital first step in ensuring that this takes place. There should also be better inclusion of and coordination with regional organisations.
All this will require a new generation of ethical leadership and transparency, legitimacy and effective anti-corruption measures at all layers of government, with all actors subject to rule by law.
Maja Groff is an international lawyer based in The Hague, working on multilateral treaties, at international criminal tribunals and teaching at the Hague Academy of International Law. Together with Augusto Lopez Claros and Arthur Dahl, Ms Groff submitted one of the winning entries to the Global Challenges Foundation's New Shape Prize 2018. The views expressed here are individual and are not on behalf of any institution or organisation.