Critical choices : the United Nations, networks, and the future of global governance / Wolfgang H. Reinicke and Francis Deng ; with Jan Martin Witte ... [et al.].

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Reinicke, Wolfgang H.

Contributor:

Deng, Francis Mading, 1938-

Witte, Jan Martin.

International Development Research Centre (Canada)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

International organization.

International cooperation.

United Nations.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (164 p.)

Place of Publication:

Ottawa : International Development Research Centre, c2000.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The world that we live in today is changing dramatically. Economic and political liberalization, together with accelerating technological change, are driving the extraordinary process we know as ''globalization.'' This new global environment requires new approaches, new ideas, and innovative tools to address new challenges in areas as different as weapons control, climate change, genetic engineering, and labour standards. Critical Choices looks at one such tool: global public policy networks. In these networks, governments, international organizations, the corporate sector, and civil society join together to achieve what none can accomplish on its own. The authors explore both the promises and the limitations of this new form of global cooperation. They discuss how such networks might contribute to better manage the risks and make use of the opportunities that globalization presents. Finally, they offer provocative advice and solid recommendations on how the United Nations can foster such networks in the years ahead. The United Nations faces a set of critical choices. It must not only be a haven for its member states but also needs to find ways to collaborate with civil society and the global business community in tackling the challenges that lie ahead. By promoting global public policy networks, the UN will more effectively serve its member states and fulfill its mission to address the problems of humanity.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Executive Summary

Origins and objectives

A range of activities

The care and tending of networks

What role for the United Nations?

Conclusions

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. A Changing External Environment

Economic and political liberalization

Technological change

The multidimensional impacts of liberalization and technological change

Complexity and the risks of a partial view

The participatory gap

States, international organizations, and the imperative of change

Chapter 3. What Do Networks Do?

A primer on networks

Placing issues on the global agenda

Negotiating and setting standards and regulations

Developing and disseminating knowledge

Making and deepening markets

Implementing ideas and decisions

Closing the participatory gap

Chapter 4. Network Management

Getting the network off the ground

Balancing adequate consultation and goal delivery

Securing sustainable funding

Maintaining the "structure" in structured informality

Finding allies outside one's sector

Tackling the dual challenge of inclusion

Chapter 5. Networks and the United Nations

From vision to reality: a three-track approach

Roles for the United Nations in GPP networks

Making the United Nations fit for GPP networks

Chapter 6. Conclusion

Appendix 1. Acronyms and Abbreviations

Appendix 2. Case Studies of the UN Vision Project on Global Public Policy Networks

Appendix 3. Workshop Participants

Appendix 4. Bibliography

Network theory, collaboration, and partnership

International organizations, change, and learning

Management and networks

Knowledge management

Civil society and governance

The private sector and transnational relations

Social capital.

Publications by the staff of the UN Vision Project on Global Public Policy Networks

Appendix 5. The Authors, the Publisher, and the Sponsor.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 133-138).

ISBN:

1-280-84995-9

9786610849956

1-55250-271-6

OCLC:

243570363