Coronavirus: Challenges and Opportunities on the Path Towards Global Cooperation at the UN

July 26, 2020

No-one can doubt that 2020 is a year of crisis in human affairs. And this is having an impact on possibilities and difficulties in the evolution of the cooperative spirit at the UN – just as it is having an impact on every area of life at city, provincial and national levels.

Recent articles highlight some of the challenges and opportunities of this crisis time at the UN. Coming posts on the Blog will feature more articles with different perspectives on this theme. The goal is to help readers deepen their understanding of elements of power politics and the relations between national sovereignty and the increasing need for globally coordinated responses to problems arising from our interdependence.  Where is the spirit of cooperation for the common good growing in the realpolitik of the UN? where is its absence being highlighted? and what are the different pathways for empowering the cooperative spirit at the UN?

  • The UN’s 75th Birthday: A Critical Chance for the Globe to Save Itself - from Passblue

  • UN Forum offers 'Sobering' Vision of SDGs Progress and New Virtual Reality - from Devex

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Secretary-General Guterres on Bridging to a Post-Coronavirus World

April 14, 2020

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for shared responsibility and global solidarity as essential to eliminating the virus and the rebuilding of world economy along sustainable lines.

In a recent interview he also speaks about mass  digitalization as a secondary effect of the virus and the potential for advances in artifiical intelligence that this brings. He cites the need for regulations and mechanisms that ensure this new technology is done for the benefit of all humanity.

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Building Bridges for Change – Inspiring Collective Action

February 13, 2020

An event in the framework of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, 4 February 2020,
Palais des Nations, Geneva - Room XXII, 14:00-17:00
organised by the Foundation for Gaia and the NGO-Alliance on Global Concerns
Moderated by Lucis Trust – World Goodwill Geneva

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The UN at 75 and the Future of Multilateral Cooperation

October 31, 2019

To mark its 75th anniversary in 2020, the United Nations is igniting "the world's biggest conversation", UN75. Launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, it promises to be the largest and furthest-reaching global conversation ever on building the future we want.

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Building Consensus at the 68th UN Civil Society Conference

September 18, 2019

The recent UN Civil Society conference held in Salt Lake City, USA, boasted over 6,000 attendees from over 138 countries.  Civil Society representatives engaged for three days in hundreds of workshops, town halls, roundtables, cultural/musical performances, and outcome document negotiations.  The halls of the Salt Palace Convention Center were abuzz with activity and one could literally see the global NGO network—composed of thousands of individuals so passionate about doing good—being reinforced and strengthened before one’s eyes. 

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