In an op ed for the Huffington Post, UNA-UK joined with the World Federation of United Nations Associations to call on the UN to revitalise its crucial relationship with civil society.
Entitled "Bringing the 'Peoples' into the UN", the op ed notes that civil society has been an important player at the UN since its inception. Indeed, the inclusion of women and human rights in the preamble to the UN Charter owe much to their campaigning efforts. The preamble itself begins with the words "we the peoples of the United Nations" not "we the governments".
But nearly 70 years on, the relationship between the public and the UN appears diminished. While the UN works in partnership with civil society on the ground, there is much scope for increasing collaboration. In New York and Geneva, NGOs are often excluded from decision-making. Some agencies lack processes for engagement. Opportunities for genuine public involvement are limited. Outreach methods have not kept pace with changes in communications.
The op ed calls for a concerted effort by the UN and its member states to find effective and inclusive ways to invite the "peoples" back to the table.
