The Committee for a Democratic U.N. (KDUN) has reiterated its criticism of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) (see here, here and here) that was signed yesterday in Tokyo by the European Union and its member states. Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Marocco, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States already signed on October 1, 2011. In order to enter into force, the treaty now needs to be ratified by the European Parliament and national parliaments. “We recommend that ratification should be rejected by the European Parliament and national legislatures,” said Andreas Bummel, chair of the Committee.

Worst fears confirmed

The Committee objects to the “intransparent and undemocratic nature” of the treaty negotiations that were conducted since 2008. “The resignation of Kader Arif as rapporteur on ACTA in the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee yesterday confirms our worst fears. Mr. Arif has referred to unprecedented manoeuvres to fast track the legislation as soon as possible, depriving the parliament further from the opportunity to scrutinise the treaty,” said Mr. Bummel.

ACTA might become a dangerous precedent

“There was no meaningful public consultation, no involvement of parliaments or elected representatives, the drafts were only published very late and after strong public protests, and on top of that governments did invite global corporate lobbyists to provide feedback, giving them, and not the public and their elected representatives, an opportunity to influence the treaty’s regulations according to their wishes. ACTA is an example for secret diplomacy, something that should belong into the history books. Experts and legislators who have looked into the details of this treaty say that its regulations infringe on fundamental rights and that it is a danger to internet freedom. Even if this was not the case, by ratifying this treaty, parliaments would rubber-stamp the scandalous negotiation process and thus approve of their own complete disempowerment. ACTA potentially sets an example for future global negotiations. We strongly oppose this attempt to establish a precedent for undemocratic and intransparent global rule-making. It has to be made clear that so-called plurilateral negotiations that are conducted in this manner are unacceptable and will not succeed. For this reason alone, parliaments should reject the treaty. They need to send a strong signal that governments need to involve them and the public in such negotiations,” Mr. Bummel stated.

According to KDUN, the example of ACTA underpins the need for a global parliamentary assembly – a body of elected representatives that would be able to deal with multilateral negotiations of this kind and represent the global public.

Avaaz, a global citizen’s movement, is now collecting online signatures to call on the European Parliament to not ratify ACTA.

 

The Committee for a Democratic UN grieves for Vaclav Havel. The former President of the Czech Republic passed away at the age of 75 on 18 December 2011.

He will be remembered as one of the great European leaders of the 20th century and as a courageous intellectual whose dedication to democracy has set an inspiring example far beyond his country. As one of the main drafters and supporters of the Charter 77, Havel was a key opponent to Communist rule in Czechoslovakia and was imprisoned many times, the longest from 1979 to 1984.

Drawing on the example of the Charter 77, over 350 dissident Chinese intellectuals and democracy activists published the Charter 08 in December 2008 and called for democratic reforms and adherence to human rights in China.

Vaclav Havel believed in the United Nations but also recognized the need to democratize the world organization. He was one of the signatories of the international “Appeal for the Establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations” that was first published in 2007. Many years before, speaking in his capacity as President of the Czech Republic at the historic UN Millennium Summit in 2000, this subject was already his main message:

“What will this world, and the United Nations, look like a hundred years from now? …

First of all, it should probably quickly change from a scene of clashes among particular interests of various states into a platform of joint, solidarity based, decision-making – by the whole of humankind – on how best to organize our stay on this planet. Even more definitely, it should transform itself from a large community of governments, diplomats and officials into a joint institution for each inhabitant of this planet – who would all see it as their very own Organization for which they spend money not only in order that it defend them as individuals but also in order that, on the authority of the people, it looks for ways toward a lasting well-being of the humanity and toward a genuine quality of life.

Such a United Nations would probably have to rest on two pillars: one constituted by an assembly of equal executive representatives of individual countries, resembling the present plenary, and the other consisting of a group elected directly by the globe’s population in which the number of delegates representing individual nations would, thus, roughly correspond to the size of the nations. These two bodies would create and guarantee global legislation. Answerable to them would be the Security Council – or its successor-which would serve as an executive organ handling, on a continuous basis, some of the crucial problems of the world. The composition of this organ would, of course, have to be different from that of the present Security Council. …”

This vision of Vaclav Havel is and will remain an important guideline and inspiration for our work.

On the occasion of the start of the general debate at the 66th UN General Assembly in New York, around 40 German non-governmental organizations and more than 150 public figures have urged German chancellor Angela Merkel and foreign minister Guido Westerwelle to follow a recommendation of the European Parliament and to take the initiative at the UN for the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly.

A report on the initiative was published on the website of the Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly.

Here is an English translation of the open letter that was delivered on September 9, 2011, including a complete list of the non-governmental organizations and individuals that have signed. We have kept the original German names of the NGOs and also did not translate the functions of the individual signatories:

_____

September 9, 2011

Democracy increasingly on global agenda – In support of the recommendation of the European Parliament, we urge Germany to promote the establishment of a Parliament at the United Nations

Dear Chancellor, dear Federal Minister,

in a few days, on 13 September 2011, the 66th General Assembly of the United Nations will be opened in New York.
The courageous and unprecedented call of millions of people for democratic reforms in the states of the Arab world as well as the grown interest in democracy all over the world is an opportunity to reflect on the development of democracy in times of globalization.

Not least for this reason it is time, more than six decades after the creation of the United Nations, for a fundamental strengthening of democracy in the world organization. We share the common belief that the citizens of the world need to be given the opportunity to participate in the shaping of global policy in better ways.

A decisive step to achieve this was suggested by the European Parliament on 8 June 2011. The directly elected representation of the citizens of the European Union recom-mends to the governments of the European Union,  including the German government, to advocate the establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations at the upcoming UN General Assembly.

We address this joint open letter to you as we wish to enforce the recommendation of the European Parliament and appeal to you to take up and support the proposal for the establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations.
The proposal is realistic and pragmatic. A Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations initially could be composed of members of the parliaments of the UN member states. Step-by-step the assembly shall be vested with comprehensive rights of information, participation and oversight vis-à-vis the UN and the organizations of the UN system. In a later step direct elections could take place.

For the initial step a decision of the General Assembly according to Article 22 of the UN’s Charter would be sufficient. An amendment of the Charter, as is required for an expansion of the UN Security Council, would not be necessary.
We agree with the European Parliament that a Parliamentary Assembly would strengthen the democratic character, the democratic accountability and the transparency of global governance and would allow for better participation of the public in the activities of the United Nations. Such an assembly could act as an essential catalyst for the further development of the international system and international law.

Dear Chancellor, dear Federal Minister, we request that Germany speaks out in favor of the proposal of a UN Parliamentary Assembly at the general debate of the UN General Assembly that is planned to start on 21 September 2011.

Yours sincerely

 

Endorsing non-governmental organizations

Andheri-Hilfe Bonn e.V., Bonn

Attac Deutschland, Frankfurt a.M.

Bonn International Center for Conversion, Bonn

Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz e.V., Berlin

Centrum für Corporate Citizenship Deutschland, Berlin

Christen für gerechte Wirtschaftsordnung e.V., Berlin

Deutsche Erd-Charta Koordination, Diemelstadt-Wethen

Deutsche Gesellschaft für die Vereinten Nationen, Berlin

Europäisches Jugendparlament in Deutschland e. V., Berlin

Europa-Union Deutschland, Berlin

Fairness-Stiftung, Frankfurt a.M.

Freiburger Kant-Stiftung, Freiburg

Georg Kraus Stiftung, Hagen

Gesellschaft für bedrohte Völker, Göttingen

Grüne Jugend, Berlin

Institut für gemeinwohlorientierte Politikberatung e.V., Bonn

Internationaler Bund freier Träger der Jugend-, Sozial- und Bildungsarbeit, Frankfurt a.M.

Jede Stimme e.V., Berlin

Junge Europäische Föderalisten, Berlin

Jusos, Berlin

Komitee für eine demokratische UNO, Berlin

Linksjugend ['solid], Berlin

Mehr Demokratie e.V., Berlin

missio – Internationales Katholisches Missionswerk Ludwig Missionsverein, München

Neue Richtervereinigung – Zusammenschluss von Richterinnen und Richtern, Staatsanwältinnen und Staatsanwälten e.V., Berlin

Ökosoziales Forum Deutschland e. V., Berlin

Ökumenische Initiative Eine Welt e.V., Diemelstadt-Wethen

pax christi Deutsche Sektion, Berlin

Schweisfurth-Stiftung, München

Senat der Wirtschaft, Bonn

Stiftung Apfelbaum, Köln

Stiftung Weltbevölkerung, Hannover

Terra One World Network e.V., Berlin

TERRE DES FEMMES Menschenrechte für die Frau e.V., Berlin

Vereinigung Demokratischer Juristinnen und Juristen e.V., Krefeld

World Peace Partnership e.V., Köln

World Vision Deutschland, Friedrichsdorf

 

Endorsing individuals

Jan Philipp Albrecht, MdEP

Dr. Ralf Alleweldt, Rechtswissenschaftler

Dr. Franz Alt, Journalist

Alexander Alvaro, MdEP

Rainer Arnold, MdB

Uri Avnery, Journalist, Autor und Friedensaktivist

Dr. Renate Bähr, Geschäftsführerin, Stiftung Weltbevölkerung

Kurt Bangert, Leiter Forschung, World Vision Institute for Research and Innovation

Dr. Hans-Peter Bartels, MdB

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Bartosch, Vorsitzender der Vereinigung Deutscher Wissenschaftler

Dirk Becker, MdB

Lars Becker, Präsident, Junge Europäische Föderalisten Deutschland

Angelika Beer, Chair, Parliamentarians Network for Conflict Prevention

Prof. Dr. Peter Bendixen, Studienzentrum Hohe Warte, Wien

Wolfgang Bentrup, Vorsitzender, Aktion der Christen für die Abschaffung der Folter

Senta Berger-Verhoeven, Schauspielerin

Jens Beutel, Oberbürgermeister der Landeshauptstadt Mainz

Lothar Binding, MdB

Dr. Alfred Biolek, Leiter, Alfred Biolek Stiftung Hilfe für Afrika

Lothar Bisky, MdEP, Vorsitzender der GUE/NGL-Fraktion im Europäischen Parlament

Prof. Dr. Armin von Bogdandy, Rechtswissenschaftler

Klaus Brandner, MdB

Prof. Dr. Lothar Brock, Hessische Stiftung Friedens- und Konfliktforschung

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Bröhmer, Rechtswissenschaftler

Andreas Bummel, Vorsitzender, Komitee für eine demokratische UNO

Emily May Büning, Sprecherin, Grüne Jugend

Ulla Burchardt, MdB, Vorsitzende des Ausschusses für Bildung, Forschung und Technikfolgenabschätzung des Deutschen Bundestages

Dr. Michael Bürsch, Ehem. MdB, Mitgründer, Centrum für Corporate Citizenship Deutschland

Gertrud Casel, Geschäftsführerin, Deutsche Kommission Justitia et Pax

Freiherr Anton von Cetto, Präsidiumsmitglied der Europa-Union Deutschland

Prof. Dr. Herta Däubler-Gmelin, Ehem. MdB, Bundesministerin der Justiz a.D.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Druyen, Vermögensforscher

Garrelt Duin, MdB

Detlef Dzembritzki, Ehem. MdB, ehem. Vorsitzender des Unterausschusses Vereinte
Nationen des Deutschen Bundestages

Hans Eichel, Ministerpräsident a.D., Bundesminister der Finanzen a.D.

Dr. Angelika Emmerich-Fritsche, Rechtswissenschaftlerin

Pater Eric Englert, Präsident, missio – Internationales Katholisches Missionswerk Ludwig Missionsverein

Petra Ernstberger, MdB

Ismail Ertrug, MdEP

Hans-Josef Fell, MdB

Dirk Fleck, Journalist und Autor

Erich G. Fritz, MdB

Sigmar Gabriel, MdB, Vorsitzender der SPD, Bundesminister a.D.

Dr. Joachim Galuska, Autor, Ärztlicher Direktor, Heiligenfeld Kliniken

Klaudius Gansczyk, Autor

Dr. Heiner Geißler, Bundesminister a.D. und ehem. Generalsekretär der CDU

Sven Giegold, MdEP

Prof. Dr. Hans J. Gießmann, Direktor, Berghof Conflict Research

Günter Gloser, MdB

Dr. Burkhard Gnärig, Exekutivdirektor, Berlin Civil Society Center

Rosi Gollmann, Gründerin und Ehrenvorsitzende, Andheri-Hilfe Bonn e.V.

Prof. Dr. Franz-Theo Gottwald, Vorstand der Schweisfurth-Stiftung

Angelika Graf, MdB

Dr. Ing. Peter Grassmann, Vorstandsvorsitzender, Ökosoziales Forum e.V.

Monika Griefahn, Ko-Vorsitzende, Right Livelihood Award Foundation, Ministerin a.D.

Kerstin Griese, MdB

Dr. Günter Grzega, Vorstandsvorsitzender, Institut für gemeinwohlorientierte Politik­beratung

Wolfgang Gunkel, MdB

Prof. Dr. Martina Haedrich, Rechtswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena

Gerald Häfner, MdEP

Dieter Härthe, Vorstandsvorsitzender, Senat der Wirtschaft

Rosemarie Hein, MdB

Prof. Dr. Johannes Heinrichs, Philosoph und Sozialökologe

Dr. Barbara Hendricks, MdB

Konsul Peter Hesse, Vorsitzender, Peter Hesse Stiftung

Gabriele Hiller-Ohm, MdB

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Otfried Höffe, Leiter Forschungsstelle Politische Philosophie,
Universität Tübingen

Dr. Eva Högl, MdB

Prof. Dr. Uwe Holtz, Universität Bonn

Prof. Dr. Vittorio Hösle, Philosoph

Prof. Dr. Klaus Hüfner, Senior Fellow, Global Policy Forum

Josip Juratovic, MdB

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Karl Kaiser, Harvard University

Uwe Kekeritz, MdB, Vorsitzender des Unterausschusses für Gesundheit in Entwicklungsländern des Deutschen Bundestages

Ska Keller, MdEP

Prof. Declan Kennedy, Chairman, Advisory Board, Gaia University

Prof. Dr. Margrit Kennedy, MonNetA im Lebensgarten Steyerberg e.V.

Dr. Claudia Kissling, Stellvertretende Vorsitzende, Komitee für eine demokratische UNO

Jürgen Klimke, MdB

Stefan Knüppel, Vorstand, Opportunity International Deutschland

Bruno W. Köbele, Präsident, Internationaler Bund (IB) e.V.

Prof. Dr. Harald von Kortzfleisch, Wirtschaftswissenschaftler

Prof. Dr. Markus Krajewski, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

Anette Kramme, MdB

Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler, MdEP

Rüdiger Kruse, MdB

Prof. Dr. Dieter Kugelmann, Leiter Öffentliches Recht mit Schwerpunkt Polizeirecht
einschließlich des Internationalen Rechts, Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei

Katrin Kunert, MdB

Manfred Ladwig, Journalist und Dokumentarfilmer

Dr. Susanne Lang, Geschäftsführerin, Centrum für Corporate Citizenship Deutschland

Berthold Lange, Vorstand, Freiburger Kant-Stiftung

Prof. Dr. Gerd Langguth, Institut für Politische Wissenschaft und Soziologie, Universität Bonn

Jo Leinen, MdEP, Vorsitzender des Umweltausschusses des Europäischen Parlaments

Steffen-Claudio Lemme, MdB

Stefan Liebich, MdB

Fritz Lietsch, Geschäftsführer, ALTOP Verlags- und Vertriebsgesellschaft für umweltfreundliche Produkte mbH

Dr. Erwin Lotter, MdB

Ulla Lötzer, MdB

Prof. Dr. Paul Michael Lützeler, Washington University, St. Louis

Agnes Malczak, MdB

Caren Marks, MdB

Kerstin Mathias, Vorsitzende, Europäisches Jugendparlament in Deutschland e.V.

Hilde Mattheis, MdB

Dorothée Menzner, MdB

Roland Methling, Oberbürgermeister der Hansestadt Rostock

Prof. Dr. Meinhard Miegel, Vorsitzender, Denkwerk Zukunft – Stiftung kulturelle
Erneuerung

Niema Movassat, MdB

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Hans-Otto Mühleisen, Politikwissenschaftler

Rolf Mützenich, MdB

Andrea Nahles, MdB, SPD-Generalsekretärin

Norbert Neuser, MdEP

Prof. Dr. Peter Niesen, Politikwissenschaftler

Omid Nouripour, MdB

Prof. Dr. Franz Nuscheler, Uni Duisburg-Essen

Dr. Hermann E. Ott, MdB

Dieter Overath, Geschäftsführer, TransFair

Reinhard Paß, Oberbürgermeister der Stadt Essen

Prof. Dr. Anne Peters, Ordinaria für Völker- und Staatsrecht, Universität Basel

Prof. Dr. Ernst-Ulrich Petersmann, Professor für Internationales und Europäisches Recht, European University Institute, Florenz

Prof. Dr. Thomas Pogge, Professor für Philosophie, Yale University

Ruprecht Polenz, MdB, Vorsitzender des Auswärtigen Ausschusses des Deutschen
Bundestages

Eva Quistorp, Ehem. MdEP

Prof. Dr. Dr. Franz Josef Radermacher, Vorstand, Forschungsinstitut für anwendungs­orientierte Wissensverarbeitung

Gerold Reichenbach, MdB

Prof. Dr. Lars Rensmann, DAAD Professor of Political Science, University of Michigan

Jürgen Rose, Oberstleutnant a.D., Publizist

Ernst D. Rossmann, MdB

Karin Roth, MdB, Parlamentarische Staatssekretärin a.D.

Heide Rühle, MdEP

Prof. Dr. Richard Saage, Politikwissenschaftler

Anton Schaaf, MdB

Werner Schieder, MdB

Ulla Schmidt, MdB, Bundesministerin a.D.

Dr. Hans-Martin Schmidt, Vorsitzender, Stiftung Apfelbaum

Freiherr Dr. Dieter von Schrötter, Ehem. Leiter des Instituts für Politische Bildung
Wiesneck

Uwe Schummer, MdB

Stefan Schwartze, MdB

Dr. Ilja Seifert, MdB

Raju Sharma, MdB

Peter Simon, MdEP

Peter Spiegel, Geschäftsführer, Genisis Institute for Social Business and Impact Strategies

Dr. h.c. Hans-Christof von Sponeck, Ehem. Beigeordneter Generalsekretär der UN

Jochen Steinhilber, Leiter, Refrat Globale Politik und Entwicklung, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Jutta Steinruck, MdEP

Sabine Stüber, MdB

Prof. Dr. Rita Süssmuth, Bundestagspräsidentin a.D.

Dr. h.c. Erwin Teufel, Ministerpräsident a.D.

Jakob von Uexküll, Gründer und Vorsitzender, World Future Council

Michael Verhoeven, Filmregisseur

Prof. Dr. Joseph Vogl, Literaturwissenschaftler

Kathrin Vogler, MdB

Ute Vogt, MdB, Parlamentarische Staatssekretärin a.D.

Prof. Gert Weisskirchen, Lecturer, Willy Brandt School, Erfurt University

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, Ehem. MdB, ehem. Vorsitzender der
Enquetekommission Globalisierung des Deutschen Bundestages

Katrin Werner, MdB

Andrea Wicklein, MdB

Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, MdB, Bundesministerin a.D.

Juli Zeh, Rechtswissenschaftlerin und Autorin

Christian Zimmermann, Geschäftsführer, Koordinierungsrat deutscher Nicht-Regierungsorganisationen gegen Antisemitismus

Sabine Zimmermann, MdB

Manfred Zöllmer, MdB

Prof. Dr. Christoph Zöpel, Ehem. Staatsminister im Auswärtigen Amt

Tilman Zülch, Generalsekretär, Gesellschaft für bedrohte Völker

Prof. Dr. Michael Zürn, Direktor, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin

Brigitte Zypries, MdB, Bundesministerin der Justiz a.D.

A two-day conference on “The Internet and a Changing World”, held at Jindal School of International Affairs of O.P. Jindal Global University at Sonepat, India, looked into the impact of internet technology, especially in the field of diplomacy. “The internet has brought institutions of global governance such as UN closer to people and has the potential to further transform it,” said a press release by the organisers that was quoted in a report by the Economic Times of India.

One panel of the conference dealt with “The Internet and Global Democracy”. Here is a message that was provided by Andreas Bummel, the Chair of the Committee for a Democratic U.N., in his capacity as Secretary-General of the Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly that co-organized the event and that was represented by its Indian coordinator, Dr. James Arputharaj:

_____

“You have gathered for this important conference on the internet in a changing world organized by O.P. Jindal Global University. Unfortunately, the circumstances did not allow me to come in person. Nethertheless, I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to provide some input this way for the panel on the internet and global democracy.

The internet and its impact on information and communication is one of the strongest transformative forces in the world today. It is felt in all spheres of life from private relationships to business, science, economics, politics, media, and so on, and at all levels, from the local up to the global level. This is of course common wisdom and more and more the day-to-day experience of millions of people around the world. It is estimated that today already around one third of the world’s population is using the internet and the numbers are growing rapidly. Information and communication has never been as easy, affordable and efficient for ordinary people as it is now the case . Although we have to be aware that still a lot has to be done in terms of broadening internet access and in overcoming the so-called digital divide, the trend towards more participation in this technology is clear and unbreakable – and it is a global phenomenon.

The bottom line is that the internet is democratizing information and communication. In former times, both of these endeavours have been quite expensive, the further we go into the past, the more expensive they have been. For this reason, information and communication was more or less a prerogative of governments and large businesses, especially at the global scale. As in principle today anyone can access and provide information anywhere in the world, it is increasingly difficult to exercise control over information flow and content. Of course authoritarian governments try hard to keep the internet under control but they have to invest tremendous energy into this and in the end their efforts will probably fail. This is another dimension of the democratizing effect of the internet. Citizens even in politically repressive environments are able to gather and share information and to connect with each other in very efficient ways. The political impact of this development cannot be underestimated. A very instructive example is of course the way how internet-based networks like Facebook and Twitter have facilitated the revolutionary democratic movements in Tunisia and Egypt earlier this year. When Mubarak had the internet and mobile communication switched off in Cairo and elsewhere in Egypt to destruct the ability of protesters to coordinate and mobilize, this had a devastating economic effect and the measure couldn’t be sustained for long. Politically it probably contributed to Mubaraks downfall.

The democratization of information and communication that is propelled by internet technology, I would argue, will not stop at facilitating national democratic movements. As a technology that inherently transcends place and time, that is cross-border by nature and geographically unbound, the internet makes it possible for citizens anywhere in the world to join around certain interests. Millions for example are participating in online games and interact with fellow gamers from around the world. National origin or where you are in geographical terms does not matter. In the long run I am convinced that this will facilitate the rise of global identity and cosmopolitan world views. According to an international opinion poll in 46 countries some years ago, 72 percent of respondents already said that they looked at themselves also as world citizens in addition to their national identity.

New political cross-border citizen movements are taking advantage of the new opportunities that the internet offers. One prominent example is Avaaz, an online-based network of millions of people that runs maybe three or four global petitions per week that are regularly endorsed by hundreds of thousands of their supporters from around the world. The subjects they deal with are, for instance, climate change or human rights issues. The impact is there as it is not easy for an official, or for companies, to totally ignore a petition addressed to them that was signed by a million people within a few days.

The situation today can be compared to a degree to the Gutenberg revolution in the 15^th and 16^th century that occured after the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg. Books or other information carriers no longer had to be hand-copied but could be produced and spread comparably easily by the thousands and tens-of-thousands. Information was much better and much cheaper available. The stage was set for the enlightenment. The feudal order was swept away by a growing national consciousness of the populace. This culminated in the French revolution of 1789 at which the notion of the modern nation state was born. In a similar way like the feudal lords in the past, national governments will be faced with a growing global consciousness and one of the keys for its rise is clearly internet technology.

This development is very much at odds with the status quo of the existing world order. Our world order is an order of nation-states. The individual virtually does not exist in the international system. Governments act as intermediaries. If you look at all the major international governmental organizations that shape global governance today, you will see that their bodies are almost exclusively composed of political appointees of the executive branch of national governments. The internet revolution that I have tried to outline so far will necessarily increase doubts on whether this system of global governance is still up to date. And it is not. Why does the individual citizen have no say at all?

Don’t misunderstand me, I am not arguing that the end of the nation state has come or will ever come in the foreseeable future. That is not the case. But the public pressure will increase to complement the existing world order with an element that enables the world’s citizens to participate in global decision-making and political agenda-setting. One of the immediate practical remedies that we do suggest is the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly – which would be the first political body in the history of mankind that would have the purpose to represent the world’s citizens directly without any intermediary inbetween.”

Further reading:

In January, the same subject was elaborated on in an article by Abhay K. in The Times of India.

More than fifty organizations and individuals have signed an open letter to World Bank President Robert Zoellick, urging him to expand funding for B-SPAN, the group’s internet-based webcasting system.

According to the letter, the world bank “has made important progress in recent years on transparency” through the updated Access to Information Disclosure Policy, the Open Data Initiative, and other efforts. However, funding for B-SPAN was cut and “the service entered a rapid decline in the amount and diversity of content it could make available. It remains in this condition today.”

As the letter explains, “The re-invigoration of B-SPAN as an open, uncensored channel of internal policy dialogues being streamed to the public would be another fundamental leap forward. The knowledge it would provide government officials and policymakers in shareholder countries – content often generated from their sources and resources – as well as academics, researchers and development practitioners globally would have a profound impact on the development and aid communities. It would also have tangible benefits for the Bank as it would focus global attention upon the institution as the best source of knowledge on development, thereby generating new business opportunities.”

Among the letter’s signatories are Action Aid USA, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, EURODAD, Transparency International USA, the World Development Movement USA and individuals as Don Kraus, CEO of Citizens for Global Solutions, William Pace, Executive Director of WFM-Institute for Global Policy, David Shaman, author of The World Bank Unveiled or Per Kurowski, former Executive Director, World Bank. The chair of the Committee for a Democratic U.N., Andreas Bummel, has also signed.

The establishment of a new international body is a complex undertaking and this is all the more the case with regard to a Parliamentary Assembly at the UN, the main goal of the Committee for a Democratic U.N. Our publications provide thorough analysis and background information on the project. Nethertheless, there are some critical questions that are brought up time and again. We have now compiled fifty of these typical questions and provide brief answers for a quick overview. The questions deal with the the added value and the political relevance, the relationship with other institutions and distinctions, the rights and powers of the assembly, legal considerations on the establishment, the location, functioning and financing of the assembly, the composition, the election of delegates and the distribution of seats as well as who supports the proposal and where it comes from.

The FAQ are now available on our website and can also be downloaded as a PDF document.

To go through all 50 questions one-by-one, start here: “What is a parliamentary assembly?”

For humanity to meet the global challenges of our times, to achieve a Great Transformation towards a sustainable, peaceful and just non-carbon human civilization, fundamental system change is necessary. Civil society organizations around the world address aspects of the global crisis, for example climate change mitigation and environmental protection, human rights and democratization, combatting HIV/Aids and other deseases or disarmanent and peace. In many of these areas, civil society has formed networks in order to create synergies, to pool resources and expertise, and to increase political impact. Two outstandingly successful examples are the Coalition for the International Criminal Court and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

However, as far as long-term change at the world level is concerned, civil society’s efforts are still very much fragmented and lack an overaching vision and strategy. The Committee for a Democratic U.N. (KDUN) thus has decided to support a new initiative lead by Tellus Institute that aims at facilitating a global citizens movement that “would work on all fronts, comprehending the various struggles for the environment and justice as different expressions of a common project.”

The main tool for this will be The Widening Circle (TWC) campaign that will provide resources and tools to support organized circles as they work for the adoption of those worldviews, values, policies and practices necessary to facilitate global institutional reform and to make the Great Transition. TWC itself is committed to the main goals and principles of nonviolence, democratic global governance, social justice and environmental sustainability.

KDUN’s main contribution at this stage will be to assess – and stress – the vital contribution that a UN Parliamentary Assembly could play in creating a global citizens movement, in advancing planetary consciousness, and in facilitating a transformation of the system of global governance.

Read more on the TWC initiative here:
http://www.wideningcircle.org/