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(1/2) Introductory document of topic 3
Rob WHEELER WP21 team
Friday, January 03, 2003 5:03 PM
ººº Abstract: parts of the document (1/2) Introduction - the purpose of the
World Parliament -Meeting Time and Place - Funding - Representation and
participation - (2/2) Participatory Methodologies - Program proposals and
Development - Local and Regional Organizing - Organizational Models and
Proposals ººº
Greetings friends and associates,
This month we will be discussing, * The internal and external organization
of a World Parliament. * Thus our discussion will include such things as
where and how often a world parliament should meet; who should participate;
whether and how it will include local and regional assemblies, preparatory
meetings, and organizing processes; what its mandate could be; and how it
will interact with other bodies or agencies of governance; etc.
It is the intent and hope of the WP21 e-forum coordinating team that this
will not turn out to be an exercise in abstract or theoretical discussion,
but can instead be used as the first stage in a planning process for the
actual creation of a world parliament. We therefore hope that all of the
participants will continue to take the discussion quite seriously and will
join with us in dedicating ourselves to searching for the most effective,
workable, and legitimate structures, processes, and orientations for global
governance and the world parliament.
We hope to build from these earlier discussions, to develop a foundation
upon which we can design an on-going process leading progressively to the
creation of the world parliament.
The Purpose of the World Parliament
Perhaps one of the most challenging and also most discussed aspects of
creating a World Parliament is how it will be structured and operate. Of
course this will depend to some extent on what its intended purpose and
function will be. Some of the possibilities include: A) a place where global
issues can be discussed and debated; B) where proposals or recommendations
regarding global issues and global governance can be made - thus providing a
platform that is more visible to the people, media, and governments; C) a
place where those participating can work towards reaching consensus on
important issues; or D) finally, where binding and enforceable legislation
could be developed and passed. Thus, a World Parliament could develop to
where it creates and authorizes the passage and enforcement of international
law.
International law professors Andrew Strauss and Richard Falk have written
numerous papers describing how such a parliament or global peoples assembly
could be legitimated and thus its powers and authority could increase over
time. Several of their short papers are included on our website at
10_strauss.html. Such conceptualisations are increasingly being taken seriously;
and thus may provide part of the basis for a strategy that could fairly
rapidly result in the establishment of a recognized or accepted world
parliament.
For quite a few years many of those supporting the idea of a global peoples
assembly thought that it should be a second house, under or alongside the
General Assembly, at the United Nations. However, over the past decade there
has been an increasing interest in the idea that the peoples assembly or
world parliament should be based on and include a strong network of local
and regional assemblies that are organized all around the world.
As such new ideas have been put forward and discussed, it has also became
apparent that quite a number of governments are unwilling to consider
significant UN reform; to allow the role of NGO's (non-governmental
organizations) in international decision-making to be strengthened; or even
to support serious or effective efforts to solve our global problems. Thus
many of us have moved more towards thinking that we should begin by
organizing an independent world parliament or what has also been called a
global peoples assembly.
The thinking is that if the governments are reluctant to embrace the idea of
what they see as a competing organization, or one that will challenge them
to act more forcibly or effectively, then perhaps only an independent
organization will have the strength and ability to directly challenge the
governments to take more appropriate action or to instead establish itself
as a governing body if the governments continue to act irresponsibly. The
question still remains, however, as to what the relationship of the WP
should be to the UN and other intergovernmental processes; and how this
might be established or further developed over time.
Meeting Time and Place
In relationship to how long and where the parliament itself should meet, one
has to consider which of the purposes we would hope to achieve. If we want
it to pass international law, then it could take much more time and would
need to include a much more serious effort of considering and developing
policy and various mechanisms by which to implement proposals and/or to
govern. However, before we get to this point we will probably want to ensure
that we have the full support and participation of the world's people in the
development and workings of the world parliament. In the meantime, though,
there is probably no reason why a world parliament couldn't start with a
meeting lasting only a week or two and then expand over time as its agenda,
purpose, and authorization grows.
In terms of where and how often it should meet, the discussion ranges from
every six months or every year to every two or three years. In addition,
some people think that the WP should be closely associated with the UN and
meet where it meets; while others suggest that its meetings should be held
around the world, including in, or particularly in, developing countries;
perhaps rotating so that it meets each time on a different continent.
Funding
Funding is another critical factor. The longer, or more often, the assembly
meets the more need there will be for a significant amount of funding.
Similarly, if it is going to attempt to develop, carry out, or ensure the
implementation of various programme proposals or laws, then both more time
and resources will be needed, along with a more formal approach to
procedural issues. In addition, it must have independent sources of
resources, funding, and support so that it cannot be controlled by special
interests. Over the years some countries have refused to pay their UN dues
in an attempt to influence global policy. Such a thing should not be allowed
to happen with the world parliament.
One possibility is that people could be registered in order to vote on
proposals that are being considered by the world parliament. These people
could then be asked to become members of the network of local and regional
assemblies and the world parliament and to contribute financially and / or
otherwise to the organizational work and activities. However, this could be
optional rather than required. The development of the WP might also be
funded through donations, foundation grants, contributions from supportive
governments or the European Union etc, fundraisers, special events, and
establishment of a speaker's bureau, etc. What is clear, however, is that we
need to begin to discuss the means for funding a world parliament if we ever
hope that it can be successfully established.
Representation and Participation
The issue of representation is one of the most hotly debated topics. A study
by Howard Cort of the Global Peoples Assembly Network (GPAN) found around 30
different proposals that have been made regarding how delegates could be
selected to represent the peoples of the world. Some suggest that there
should be international elections, while others have thought that people
should be elected to represent their region of the world. Others think that
the delegates should represent, or act as liaisons to, the network of local
and regional assemblies.
Some people argue that any more than 600 participants in the world
parliament would be unwieldy while others suggest that an assembly of 1000
people would be manageable and would entitle each delegate to represent 6
million people. Other people, however, say: how can one person possibly
represent such a large group of people or how can just 1000 people make
decisions for the people of the world as a whole.
Perhaps the number of participants or delegates is not as important as it
would be to establish the type of a process that ensures open participation,
transparency, and a participatory process where everyone can have the
opportunity to give input to or influence the decisions made. Rules must be
established to ensure that money does not play an undue or predominate role
in the election or selection of delegates and that responsible procedures
are established for such processes. At the least such rules and regulations
should be openly debated, agreed to, and then clearly written down or
spelled out for all to see. GPAN suggests that a Credentials Committee
should be established to provide accountability and to ensure that proper,
or the agreed upon, practices are put in place and carried out.
(following on 2/2 * introductory document of topic 3 * )
WP21 Alliance Forum on a World Parliament for the 21st Century
E-mail : world-parl@forums.alliance21.org
Fax 1 717 264 5036
Information, inscriptions, désinscriptions: germa@alliance21.org
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