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Photos available free of charge, see below
Cf. WCC press update PU-04-62 of 18 November 2004
Cf. WCC press update PU-04-61 of 17 November 2004
Cf. WCC press update PU-04-60 of 16 November 2004
Cf . WCC press release PR-04-56 of 11 November 2004
"Reform means different things to different actors," said Andreas Zumach, Geneva-based international correspondent of the Berlin daily Tageszeitung who has become known as an expert on international institutions, at a fourth public seminar held in the framework of a 14-19 November World Council of Churches (WCC) international advocacy week at the UN in New York.
"Transnational corporations and powerful nations would want reform to disempower and weaken the UN and its ability to take action,"he continued. "The churches should advocate for reform that empowers, strengthens and brings better representation to the UN so that we can successfully address the global challenges that we face: wars, conflicts, environmental degradation, AIDs and other diseases, under-development and extreme poverty."
"Reform is generally viewed as a positive move, but it can take us in the wrong direction if powerful actors are able to push their agenda,"said James Paul, executive director of the Global Policy Forum, a US-based think tank that aims to "monitor policy-making at the United Nations… and advocate on vital issues of international peace and justice". While it is true that the UN is in desperate need of additional funding, Paul warned against new and pending agreements with transnational corporations, such as a recently announced Microsoft–UNESCO agreement in order to "bridge the digital divide".
Zumach shared that in 2000, the average UN member state government gave $1.50 per capita to support the organisation, while the average spending per capita on military and arms was $150. "If the members doubled this to $3.00 per capita, it would be a vast improvement," he said.
UN reform was one issue highlighted at last year’s WCC advocacy week at the UN for further discussion, and Thursday’s public seminar follows the WCC’s strong commitment to multilateralism and the UN systems. This seminar comes at a critical time, since a report providing suggestions for reforms, commissioned by UN secretary-general Kofi Annan from a panel of eminent persons, will be released on 2 December.
"Peace, human rights, rule of law and social and economic progress are the original purposes of the UN according to the preamble of the UN charter, and it is important to base our reform around this mandate," said John Langmore, of the WCC Churches Commission on International Affairs (CCIA).
"Streamlining the institutional structures of the UN is a necessary move," Zumach said, indicating that other specific areas for reform are currently in discussion at various levels. "Certain agencies and programmes have fulfilled their mandate and must be scaled back or closed, while others are in critical need of additional resources," he reported. Zumach argued that streamlining does not mean a "lawn-mower" approach of cutting 10% off everything, but that the process should be informed by a detailed plan of prioritization.
Energy was highlighted as an area that the UN is unable to cover at its current capacity and in its current form, and Zumach suggested a new council to address the crucial need for moving to sustainable energy on a massive scale. "Reliance on fossil fuels is untenable, and is a cause of war, environmental degradation and economic injustice. It is time to make a compelling move towards sustainable energies in the North and in the South. This is solely a matter of political will," he stressed.
Security Council reforms have been the focus of most UN reform discussions, but Zumach pointed to the need for widespread reforms in order to improve the entire structure and power distribution. When these reforms are positively achieved, those to the Security Council will become possible, he predicted.
Pre-emptive military action is a major issue of contention since the US attacks on Iraq. Zumach believes that accepting pre-emptive action as a possible approved Security Council measure would be a disaster for world peace.
Positive recent multilateral moves include the Kyoto Protocol, the International Criminal Court and the ban on landmines. Although some powerful states were against these agreements, they came into being, and are important achievements that will shape future global policy.
Media contact person: Dr Laurence Konmla Bropleh, permanent representative, WCC UN Liaison Office, tel: 1 212- 867 5891, Mobile: 1 202 258 4166 email: [email protected]
Information on the 2004 WCC Advocacy Week is available at:
www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/advocweek04.html
More information on the work of the WCC UN Liaison Office (UNLO) in New York is available at
Photos from the 14-19 November International Advocacy Week are available on our website at:wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/advocweek-photos.html