Civil society models of global reform should be heeded and implemented, writes Hoda Badran* Representatives from 100 civil societies from all over the world, including myself, met in Copenhagen ahead of the Millenium+5 Summit. The three- day discussion was of the UN secretary-general's report to the summit, culminating in the Copenhagen Conference 2005 Civil Society Declaration. The declaration came in six parts. The first part, entitled "Time is of the Essence", was a preamble to the declaration, highlighting the imbalance in power between nations. Transnational corporations and powerful states control resources, monopolise access and follow excess as a way of life, depriving the world's population of the most basic necessities of survival. Civil society organisations have an enormous role to play in addressing such an unacceptable situation. They can, and have the right to demand the institutionalisation of their involvement in all governance processes and structures, within a comprehensive democratic framework. The second part of the declaration, entitled "Freedom From Want and Access", emphasises poverty as a result of unequal distribution of assets and opportunities, often due to ethnicity, gender and class, lack of political participation and information. Economic growth in itself is not the solution to poverty without strategies such as protecting employment, land reform and policies to promote the position of women. The various plans of action of international conferences including the International Conference on Population and Development, Beijing and relevant international conventions, should be mainstreamed in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This part also emphasised that developing countries have the right to protect their markets to ensure domestic food security. WTO trade agreements need revision to assess their impact on poverty, gender equality, environment and human rights. The debt of developing countries should be totally cancelled, and Official Development Assistance increased to levels where poverty eradication becomes possible. To achieve a sustainable world, and higher quality of life for all people, global society has a responsibility to protect the environment. Peace, development, human rights and environmental protection are interdependent and indivisible. Education should be seen in a broader sense, creating active citizenship as a component of democratic society. The third part of the declaration discusses "Freedom From Fear and Threats". It calls for drastic reduction in military spending, the establishment of mechanisms to audit and monitor production, consumption and trade of arms, and to make such information publicly available. It also calls for the abolition of biological, chemical and other weapons of mass destruction. The war in Iraq exposed the vulnerability of the UN to the will of strong members; accordingly, the General Assembly and not the Security Council should take decisions on the application of force. There is also a need for protection from the so-called "war on terrorism", as it has been used to violate human rights. Finally, this part demands that peace- building processes should include a gender perspective and strong civil society participation. The fourth part of the declaration talks about the "Freedom to Live in Dignity and in Mutual Respect". It states that development, security and human rights are the pillars of the UN system, and that all human rights are indivisible. All governments should ratify all human rights treaties and their protocols, without reservations, waving any existing reservations. It suggests strengthening the office of the High Commissioner and elevating it to a council with real authority to compel states to incorporate international law into national law, and to protect human rights defenders. Furthermore, international law must be equally implemented across powerful and weak states. The International Court of Justice should be strengthened, and all states should accept the jurisdiction of the World Court in the 21st century. This point of the declaration endorses the UN commitment to democracy in its diverse, multiple and participatory form, including freedom of expression and association. It urges the UN to engage more profoundly with civil society and dedicate resources for building its capacity. It is unacceptable that powerful nations are the opponents of international democracy. Security Council resolutions must apply to all parties and leadership of certain international organisations should not be appointed by particular nations, The UN should be fundamentally reformed. International democracy must be underwritten by greater democracy at local and regional levels. The declaration endorsed the new norm of the responsibility inherent in national sovereignty to protect civilian populations. When outside intervention is needed it must be guided by international law and UN institutions, and should be a last resort, backed by UN resolutions. Human security is fundamental to state security, and civil society is committed to take measures to provide people with essential services to ensure security. The fifth and last part of the declaration discusses strengthening global solutions through the UN. It outlines the changes that occurred worldwide since the establishment of the UN, particularly as a result of globalisation. A list of demands are presented including the reaffirmation of the principles of the Charter, democratisation of UN procedures, strengthening the role of the International Court of Justice, incorporation of the International Criminal Court into the Charter, abolishing permanent membership and the use of veto power, and institutionalising the role of civil society. The issue of corporate responsibility, which is missing from the UN report, should be addressed. The UN system should be reformed to enhance coordination and should be modernised. The World Bank, IMF, Global Environment Facility and WTO should be brought under the direct control of the UN through an enhanced Economic and Social Council. Finally, the obsession of global security and anti-terrorism should not replace addressing the abuses of people's most basic human rights. * The writer is Head of the Alliance for Arab Women (AAW)
