Rethinking Global Governance

NIGD News and Notes November-December 2006

by nigd — last modified 2006-12-07 16:31

I. Rethinking Global Parliament: Beyond the Indeterminacy of International Law
II. The Possibilities of Global Governance: Ideas from Chico Whitaker
III. The Documenting of the WSF by Librarians
IV. Rendezvous

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 I. Rethinking Global Parliament: Beyond the Indeterminacy of International Law
by Heikki Patomäki
A World Parliament could establish a legitimate, world system based on law following well-defined democratic and legal procedures to overcome the indeterminacy of International Law.  In an attempt to rethink the idea of global parliament, Heikki Patomäki briefly describes a realist strategy for global democratization and discusses conventional ideas for a world parliament. First presented at a Widener Law School Conference, in Widener, Delaware, USA, in April 2006, the finalised paper is forthcoming in a special issue of Widener Law Review, in spring 2007.

NIGD launched a research and dialogue project on global party formations resulting in two Working Papers and a Discussion Paper in 2006. For further information: http://www.nigd.org/nan/nigd/north-south-dialogues/global-political-parties

II. The Possibilities of Global Governance: Ideas from Chico Whitaker
by Otto Bruun and Elisa Lipponen

Francisco “Chico” Whitaker participated in an open panel discussion in Helsinki, at the Old Students house in a session co-organized by Attac, NIGD, Independent Left, and democracy forum Vasudhaiva Kutubakam. Otto Bruun and Elisa Lipponen representing Attac Finland, summarise the discussion on the possibilities of global governance and alternatives to neo-liberal capitalism after the strengthening of leftist movements in Latin America, and the role of European Union in this process. How can civil society take greater action, and what role does the WSF play?

2. WPF Brainstorming Meeting, Helsinki 17th November, Hotel Arthur
by Matti Kohonen

A World Public Finance (WPF) working group gathered, in Helsinki, in November to brainstorm strategies in preparation for the upcoming WSF in Nairobi. Matti Kohonen reports from the discussion on possible ways a fragmentised and globally dispersed movement can use the WSF process in an effective manner to promote the WPF initiative. Global collective action is needed to address the issue of global finances, how does that translate into practical terms?

For additional information on the WPF initiative:
http://www.nigd.org/nan/nigd/world-public-finances

3. Report From the IC Meeting in Parma
The report from the WSF IC meeting held in Parma, Italy October 10-12, 2006 briefly covers practical details, general objectives, and methodology for the next edition of the WSF in Nairobi, 2007.

Report in Spanish

III. The Documenting of the WSF by Librarians
by Mikael Böök

NIGD, the Kenya Library Association (KLA) and other partners, are staring a pilot project at the Nairobi WSF in January.The documentation project aims at extending the WSF process through the preservation and dissemination of information about the WSF in public libraries. Mikael Böök provides an update on the project of Documenting the WSF in Libraries.

2. Georgetown Master of Arts in Democracy Studies

by Jennifer Counts
In response to the need for greater numbers of professionals committed to democracy promotion, the organization and oversight of elections, the development of civil society, strengthening human rights, supporting the rule of law, and the like, the Center for Democracy and Civil Society has established a two-year M.A. program in Democracy Studies. 

IV.Rendez-vous with NIGD
See our Rendezvous page.

*Views expressed in NIGD News & Notes do not automatically reflect stands taken by the board of NIGD.*