91原创

On April 22^nd听of this year the UN Global Communications team, responding to the challenges posed by the pandemic, encouraged the governments of the world to 鈥渂uild back better鈥�. The phrase quickly became a rallying cry to change course, taking advantage of the break in business as usual.听

The serious challenges we currently face include the environmental crisis, pandemics, cyber warfare, terrorism and a renewed nuclear threat, among others. All are global. Our greatest strengths, on the other hand, are dedicated individuals working in common cause. To take a look at our options in aligning our strengths and challenges, we need to exit the news cycle to examine an interesting bit of inconvenient history.听

When the UN Charter was created 75 years ago it was reluctantly permitted a concession deemed necessary for the Charter鈥檚 acceptance by Stalin鈥檚 Russia and the United States Congress, both flush with victory from the Second World War. They, along with France, the UK and China, were given veto power over UN Security Council decisions, effectively giving five nations disproportionate power.听

The framers of the 1945 Charter also incorporated plans for a Charter review conference, to be held within 10 years. Unfortunately, the Cold War and inertia set in, and that conference never happened. Many decades later, the United Nations presides with great difficulty over a world still desperately in need of global governance that is just, effective and inclusive.听

The need for unity in the international sphere is greater than ever. A belief in that unity has inspired me along with generations of other Bah谩鈥櫭璼.听鈥淭he well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable听unless and until听its听unity听is firmly established,鈥� said Bah谩鈥檜鈥檒l谩h, the founder of the Bah谩鈥櫭� faith. 鈥淚t is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.鈥澨�

That idealistic spirit is alive and well. A young generation of problem-solvers from every background has arisen around the world, often motivated by environmental concerns.听Together First, Common Home for Humanity, Ocean Unite, Simpol听补苍诲听Democracy Without Borders听are incredibly promising international initiatives. If we鈥檙e to move forward together, we need to give such organizations our full attention.

The visceral, entertaining forms of politics make the news, but it鈥檚 the quiet, hard-working efforts that tend to change the course of history. Unfortunately, disillusioned with corruption and polarization, many believe that things were just fine before we had global problems and global institutions, if only we could turn back the hands of time 鈥� although they weren鈥檛 and we can鈥檛.听

The drama plays out against a backdrop of cynicism and despair, which in itself hampers progress. Still, enormous changes can begin almost imperceptibly. Beginning in 1993, Canada was followed by the European Parliament, the PanAfrican Parliament and the World Federation of United Nations Associations, all calling for the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) to help correct the 鈥渄emocratic deficit鈥� in global decision-making. The UNPA Campaign may provide a solution to decades of broken environmental promises,听since democracy is essential to a legitimate capacity to enact laws.听

There are several proposed routes towards bringing greater justice and the rule of law to the international sphere. (See the听Times 91原创 5 August article听in the online Spiritually Speaking blog for links.) The United Nations needs to follow its advice and 鈥淏uild Back Better鈥�, with support and assistance from civil society. It鈥檚 up to us, as world citizens, to pay attention and do what we can.

Photo of sapling by听听辞苍听

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