| Session Title
| 4.7. We The Peoples: Three proposals for a more democratic UN |
| Key Organizer
| Democracy Without Borders (DWB) in collaboration with Democracy International, CIVICUS, Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN), and Together First |
| Date / Time
| 20 May 2021 / 18:00-19:30 KST (GMT+9) |
| Modality / Language
| Virtual / English |
| Objectives
| To strengthen representation and participation of citizens and civil society at the UN |
| Main Topics & Issues to be addressed
| Global democratic deficit and and ways to address it
- “We The Peoples” civil society statement
- UN Parliamentary Assembly
- UN World Citizens’ Initiative
- UN Civil Society Envoy
- SDG Target 16.8
|
Reference documents / materials
|
|
| Background
| The session will discuss the democratic deficit of the UN and three proposals to mitigate the problem: a UN Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) to improve citizen representation, a UN World Citizens’ Initiative (UNWCI) to strengthen citizen participation and the office of a UN Civil Society Envoy to strengthen civil society involvement. These three proposals are featured in the joint civil society statement on inclusive global governance published on 23 April 2021 at wethepeoples.org |
| Speakers
|
- Moderator: Anselmo Lee, Regional Coordinator, Asia Civil Society Partnership for Sustainable Development
- Introduction
- Andreas Bummel, Executive Director, Democracy Without Borders
- Yasmina Gourchane, Outreach and Programs Associate, Coalition for the UN We Need
- Presenters
- Takehiko Uemura, Professor, School of International Liberal Arts, Yokohama City University
- Ivone Soares, Member of Parliament, Mozambique
- Caroline Vernaillen, Global Manager PR & Community Building, Democracy International
- Rianna Nayee, Communications Coordinator, UN Association-UK and campaigner, Together First
- Discussants
- Charles Santiago, Member of Parliament, Malaysia, and chair, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights
- Hyung-sik Shin, Adjunct Professor, Pukyong National University and Senior Advisor, Asia Democracy Network
|
| Anselmo Lee |
| Role in the Session |
Moderator |
| Position and
Organizational Affiliation |
Regional Coordinator, Asia Civil Society Partnership for Sustainable Development |
| Nationality |
Korea |
| Andreas Bummel |
| Role in the Session |
Introduction |
| Position and
Organizational Affiliation |
Executive Director, Democracy Without Borders |
| Nationality |
|
| Yasmina Gourchane |
| Role in the Session |
Introduction |
| Position and
Organizational Affiliation |
Outreach and Programs Associate, Coalition for the UN We Need |
| Nationality |
|
| Takehiko Uemura |
| Role in the Session |
Presenter |
| Position and
Organizational Affiliation |
Professor, School of International Liberal Arts, Yokohama City University |
| Nationality |
Japan |
| Ivone Soares |
| Role in the Session |
Presenter |
| Position and
Organizational Affiliation |
Member of Parliament, Mozambique |
| Nationality |
|
| Caroline Vernaillen |
| Role in the Session |
Presenter |
| Position and
Organizational Affiliation |
Global Manager PR & Community Building, Democracy International |
| Nationality |
|
| Rianna Nayee |
| Role in the Session |
Presenter |
| Position and
Organizational Affiliation |
Communications Coordinator, UN Association-UK and campaigner, Together First |
| Nationality |
|
| Charles Santiago |
| Role in the Session |
Discussant |
| Position and
Organizational Affiliation |
Member of Parliament, Malaysia, and chair, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights |
| Nationality |
|
| Hyung-sik Shin |
| Role in the Session |
Discussant |
| Position and
Organizational Affiliation |
Adjunct Professor, Pukyong National University and Senior Advisor, Asia Democracy Network |
| Nationality |
Korea |