International Democratic Governance

WFM-IGP’s program in International Democratic Governance (IDG) supports inclusive global responses to the rise of transnational governance.

The IDG program is based on the understanding that a growing number of global challenges transcend national boundaries and cannot be solved by any government acting alone. Transnational governance structures – with their increasing responsibilities and powers – need better mechanisms for transparency and more accountable leadership. In response to these challenges, WFM-IGP strives to:

   •   Increase the transparency and accountability of decision-making in the UN and other international institutions;
   •   Advocate for more democratic and inclusive systems of governance in transnational mechanisms; and
   •   Mobilize civil society actors to participate in intergovernmental and transnational institutions.

Through these efforts we hope to help the UN and other international institutions become more effective and deliver better results for people worldwide. Capitalizing on WFM-IGP’s historic role as a convener of innovative civil society initiatives, the IDG program currently focuses on the following key issues:

UN Reform - A go-to resource for diplomats, media and civil society alike, IDG maintains a popular website and list-serve following progress on UN reform proposals emerging from the 2005 World Summit. The website ReformtheUN.org provides context for and access to many documents and resources from the UN, governments and civil society on reform efforts, including Security Council reform, establishment of the Human Rights Council and Peacebuilding Commission, strengthening gender equality architecture, and upgrading environmental governance. The list-serve updates readers on the latest developments and political analysis of ongoing negotiations. IDG is not only an independent and reliable watchdog of UN reform, but it also serves as an essential advocacy resource for civil society.

UN Elections - IDG promotes transparent and more accountable elections and appointments through its UNelections Campaign, focusing on international officials and Member State elections to key international bodies. We aim to end political entitlements in leadership appointments, including in the selection of the UN Secretary-General, President of the UN General Assembly and the leadership of international financial institutions. We are beginning to convene civil society to monitor and influence the selection or re-appointment of the UN Secretary-General in 2011. IDG will monitor “back door” discussions, review assessments of the incumbent, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and organize around the possible emergence of alternate candidates.

Together for a Better Peace - The Together for a Better Peace project advocates for improved peacebuilding policy and practice by supporting meaningful engagement between civil society and the UN Peacebuilding Commission. We believe that civil society is a key stakeholder in peacebuilding. Whether as implementing partners in humanitarian and development programs or advocates for human rights and the rule of law, NGOs represent an essential cross-section of society as the primary agents and beneficiaries of peace.

Primary Goals

In our advocacy for international democratic governance, we work towards:

   1.    Better mechanisms for transparency, accountability, and stakeholder input at intergovernmental organizations (e.g. working with the selection panel for new Under-Secretary-General for gender equality);
   2.    Increased and higher-quality NGO participation in intergovernmental deliberations, including on reform of the Security Council and review of the Human Rights Council;
   3.    Growth in the number and scope of groups in our networks and campaigns; and
   4.    Deepened cooperation among NGOs on UN reform, transparent and accountable leadership, and architecture of financial and economic governance.

The IDG program works for transparency in the UN reform process by making information available to stakeholders worldwide. In addition to our websites and list-serves, including ReformtheUN.org, UNelections.org, and BetterPeace.org, WFM-IGP convenes NGOs on issues of common interest and prepares civil society members for effective engagement with governments and UN officials. By alerting NGO colleagues to advocacy opportunities and assisting them to provide input to UN processes and bodies, we have helped achieve better outcomes in high-level UN appointments, Human Rights Council elections and the strategies of the UN Peacebuilding Commission.