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Although the United Nations remains heavily criticised for its complexity and bias towards the ‘big 5’ nations, it’s noble origins and ideals – embodied in the UN Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights – emphasises the need for a more democratic, powerful and ultimately more representative UN system that can act as a conduit for international cooperation and the securing of basic human needs.

Latest Articles

Assessing the G-20 Declaration

The Group of 20 Declaration following a recent high level summit in Washington missed a crucial opportunity to address the real weaknesses in our economic system: those of debt, executive excess and inherently unfair trade rules, argues Robert Weissman.

After the G-20 Summit: Global Governance Reform is needed in Energy and Climate too

The G-20 summit to tackle the global financial crisis represented a welcome step to include developing countries in the international economic architecture. Governments must now extend this cooperation to tackling natural resource management and climate change too, says Trevor Houser.

World Publics see Government as Responsible for Ensuring Basic Healthcare, Food, and Education Needs

A new poll of 21 nations around the world finds that large majorities in every country say their government should be responsible for ensuring that citizens can meet their basic needs for food, healthcare, and education.

Sharing to Secure Human Rights: Democracy in Action

The following talk by STWR was given at a seminar hosted by World Goodwill on the theme "Human Rights, Spiritual Responsibilities - A Crisis for Democracy?", held in London on the 1st November 2008. A transcript and audio of the talk below is presented by Adam W. Parsons.

Is 'Taking it to the Streets' Worth the Bruises, Tear Gas and Arrests?

The film "Battle in Seattle" ends with the admonition that "the battle continues" - and the struggle in the coming years will be to compel those in power to transform campaign-trail rhetoric into a real rejection of corporate globalization, writes Mark Engler.

Dignity and Hope: Too Much to Ask For?

Sixty years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and in a world gripped by conflicts erupting on almost every continent, what hope is there for extending respect, freedom and rights to everyone? Perhaps it's time to rethink the politics of human rights for the 21st century, says Nick Fraser.

G8 Leaders Are Able But Unwilling To Act

The world's political leaders need to honour their pledges and wholeheartedly tackle the big global challenges, says Jeffrey Sachs.

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