Table Of Contents
I. Overview: An Opportunity For Reflection
II. Recognizing The Historical Context: A Call To World Leaders
III. Defining A Role For The UN Within The Emerging International Order
A. Resuscitating the General Assembly
1. Raising minimum requirements for membership
2. Appointing a Commission to study borders and frontiers
3. Searching for new financial arrangements
4. Making a commitment to a universal auxiliary language and a common script
5. Investigating the possibility of a single international currency
B. Developing a Meaningful Executive Function
1. Limiting the exercise of the veto power
2. Institutionalizing ad hoc military arrangements
3. Applying the notion of collective security to other problems of the global commons
4. Retaining successful UN institutions with independent executive function
C. A Strengthened World Court
1. Extending the Court's jurisdiction
2. Coordinating the thematic courts
IV. Releasing The Power Of The Individual: A Critical Challenge Of The Emerging
International Order
A. Promoting Economic Development
1. Launching a determined campaign to implement Agenda 21
B. Protecting Fundamental Human Rights
1. Strengthening the machinery of the UN for monitoring, implementation and follow-up
2. Encouraging universal ratification of international conventions on human rights
3. Assuring respect for the monitoring organs of UN involved in human rights
C. Advancing the Status of Women
1. Increasing the participation of women in member state delegations
2. Encouraging universal ratification of international conventions that protect women's
rights and improve their status
3. Planning ahead for implementation of the Beijing Platform of Action
D. Emphasizing Moral Development
1. Promoting the development of curricula for moral education in schools
V. A Turning Point For All Nations: A Call To World Leaders
Endnotes
"Unification of the whole of mankind is the hall-mark of the stage which human
society is now approaching. Unity of family, of tribe, of city-state, and nation have been
successively attempted and fully established. World unity is the goal towards which a
harassed humanity is striving. Nation-building has come to an end. The anarchy inherent in
state sovereignty is moving towards a climax. A world, growing to maturity, must abandon
this fetish, recognize the oneness and wholeness of human relationships, and establish
once for all the machinery that can best incarnate this fundamental principle of its
life."
-Shoghi Effendi, 1936
I. Overview: An Opportunity For Reflection
- The 20th Century, one of the most tumultuous periods in human history, has been marked
by numerous upheavals, revolutions and radical departures from the past. Ranging from the
collapse of the colonial system and the great nineteenth century empires to the rise and
fall of broad and disastrous experiments with totalitarianism, fascism and communism, some
of these upheavals have been extremely destructive, involving the deaths of millions, the
eradication of old lifestyles and traditions, and the collapse of time-honored
institutions. Other movements and trends have been more obviously positive. Scientific
discoveries and new social insights have spurred many progressive social, economic and
cultural transformations. The way has been cleared for new definitions of human rights and
affirmations of personal dignity, expanded opportunities for individual and collective
achievement, and bold new avenues for the advancement of human knowledge and
consciousness. These twin processes -- the collapse of old institutions on the one hand
and the blossoming of new ways of thinking on the other -- are evidence of a single trend
which has been gaining momentum during the last hundred years: the trend toward
ever-increasing interdependence and integration of humanity. This trend is observable in
wide-ranging phenomena, from the fusion of world financial markets, which in turn reflect
humanity's reliance on diverse and interdependent sources of energy, food, raw materials,
technology and knowledge, to the construction of globe-girdling systems of communications
and transportation. It is reflected in the scientific understanding of the earth's
interconnected biosphere, which has in turn given a new urgency to the need for global
coordination. It is manifest, albeit in a destructive way, in the capacities of modern
weapons systems, which have gradually increased in power to the point where it is now
possible for a handful of men to bring an end to human civilization itself. It is the
universal consciousness of this trend -- in both its constructive and destructive
expressions -- that lends such poignancy to the familiar photograph of the earth as a
swirling sphere of blue and white against the infinite blackness of space, an image
crystallizing the realization that we are a single people, rich in diversity, living in a
common homeland. This trend is reflected, too, in steady efforts by the nations of the
world to forge a world political system that can secure for humanity the possibility of
peace, justice and prosperity. Twice in this century humanity has attempted to bring about
a new international order. Each attempt sought to address the emergent recognition of
global interdependence, while nevertheless preserving intact a system which put the
sovereignty of the state above all else. In the perspective of the century now ending, the
League of Nations, a breakthrough in the concept of collective security, marked a first
decisive step toward world order. The second effort, born from the cataclysm of World War
II and based on a Charter drawn up principally by the victors of that conflagration, has
for fifty years provided an international forum of last resort, a unique institution
standing as a noble symbol for the collective interests of humanity as a whole. As an
international organization, the United Nations has demonstrated humanity's capacity for
united action in health, agriculture, education, environmental protection, and the welfare
of children. It has affirmed our collective moral will to build a better future, evinced
in the widespread adoption of international human rights Covenants. It has revealed the
human race's deep-seated compassion, evidenced by the devotion of financial and human
resources to the assistance of people in distress. And in the all-important realms of
peace-building, peace-making and peace-keeping, the United Nations has blazed a bold path
toward a future without war. [1] Yet the overall goals set out in the Charter of the
United Nations have proved elusive. Despite the high hopes of its founders, the
establishment of the United Nations some fifty years ago did not usher in an era of peace
and prosperity for all. [2] Although the United Nations has surely played a role in
preventing a third world war, the last half decade has nevertheless been marked by
numerous local, national and regional conflicts costing millions of lives. No sooner had
improved relations between the superpowers removed the ideological motivation for such
conflicts, than long-smoldering ethnic and sectarian passions surfaced as a new source of
conflagration. In addition, although the end of the Cold War has reduced the threat of a
global, terminal war, there remain instruments and technologies -- and to some extent the
underlying passions -- which could bring about planet-wide destruction. With respect to
social issues, likewise, grave problems persist. While new levels of consensus have been
reached on global programs to promote health, sustainable development and human rights,
the situation on the ground in many areas has deteriorated. The alarming spread of
militant racialism and religious fanaticism, the cancerous growth of materialism, the
epidemic rise of crime and organized criminality, the widespread increase in mindless
violence, the ever-deepening disparity between rich and poor, the continuing inequities
faced by women, the intergenerational damage caused by the pervasive break-down of family
life, the immoral excesses of unbridled capitalism and the growth of political corruption
-- all speak to this point. At least a billion live in abject poverty and more than a
third of the world's people are illiterate. [3] As the twin processes of collapse and
renewal carry the world toward some sort of culmination, the 50th anniversary of the
United Nations offers a timely opportunity to pause and reflect on how humanity may
collectively face its future. Indeed, there has emerged of late a wide range of useful
proposals for strengthening the United Nations and improving its capacity to coordinate
the responses of nations to these challenges. These proposals fall roughly into three
categories. One group addresses primarily bureaucratic, administrative and financial
problems within the United Nations system. Another group comprises those that suggest
reconfiguring bodies like the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council and the
Bretton Woods economic institutions. Still others propose to undertake changes in the
United Nations political structure, calling, for example, for an expansion of the Security
Council and/or a reconsideration of the United Nations Charter itself. [4] Most of these
works are constructive; some are also provocative. Among them, one of the most balanced
and thoughtful is the report of the Commission on Global Governance, entitled, Our Global
Neighborhood, which argues for the widespread adoption of new values, as well as
structural reforms in the United Nations system. [5] It is in the spirit of contributing
to the ongoing discussion and consultation on this issue of paramount importance that the
Bahá'í International Community has been moved to share its views. Our perspective is
based on three initial propositions. First, discussions about the future of the United
Nations need to take place within the broad context of the evolution of the international
order and its direction. The United Nations has co-evolved with other great institutions
of the late twentieth century. It is in the aggregate that these institutions will define
-- and themselves be shaped by -- the evolution of the international order. Therefore, the
mission, role, operating principles and even activities of the United Nations should be
examined only in the light of how they fit within the broader objective of the
international order. Second, since the body of humankind is one and indivisible, each
member of the human race is born into the world as a trust of the whole. This relationship
between the individual and the collective constitutes the moral foundation of most of the
human rights which the instruments of the United Nations are attempting to define. It also
serves to define an overriding purpose for the international order in establishing and
preserving the rights of the individual. Third, the discussions about the future of the
international order must involve and excite the generality of humankind. This discussion
is so important that it cannot be confined to leaders -- be they in government, business,
the academic community, religion, or organizations of civil society. On the contrary, this
conversation must engage women and men at the grassroots level. Broad participation will
make the process self-reinforcing by raising awareness of world citizenship and increase
support for an expanded international order.
II. Recognizing The Historical Context: A Call To World Leaders
- The Bahá'í International Community regards the current world confusion and the
calamitous condition of human affairs as a natural phase in an organic process leading
ultimately and irresistibly to the unification of the human race in a single social order
whose boundaries are those of the planet. The human race, as a distinct, organic unit, has
passed through evolutionary stages analogous to the stages of infancy and childhood in the
lives of its individual members, and is now in the culminating period of its turbulent
adolescence approaching its long-awaited coming of age. [6] The process of global
integration, already a reality in the realms of business, finance, and communications, is
beginning to materialize in the political arena. Historically, this process has been
accelerated by sudden and catastrophic events. It was the devastation of World Wars I and
II that gave birth to the League of Nations and the United Nations, respectively. Whether
future accomplishments are also to be reached after similarly unimaginable horrors or
embraced through an act of consultative will, is the choice before all who inhabit the
earth. Failure to take decisive action would be unconscionably irresponsible. Since
sovereignty currently resides with the nation-state, the task of determining the exact
architecture of the emerging international order is an obligation that rests with heads of
state and with governments. We urge leaders at all levels to take a deliberate role in
supporting a convocation of world leaders before the turn of this century to consider how
the international order might be redefined and restructured to meet the challenges facing
the world. As some have suggested, this gathering might be called the World Summit on
Global Governance. [7] This proposed Summit might build on the experience gained from the
series of highly successful United Nations conferences in the early 1990s. These
conferences, which have included the World Summit for Children in 1990, the Earth Summit
in 1992, the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993, the International Conference on
Population and Development in 1994, the World Summit for Social Development in 1995 and
the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, have established a new methodology for
global deliberations on critical issues. A key to the success of these deliberations has
been the substantive participation by organizations of civil society. Painstaking
negotiations among government delegations about changes in the world's political, social
and economic structures have been informed and shaped by the vigorous involvement of these
organizations, which tend to reflect the needs and concerns of people at the grass roots.
It is also significant that in each case, the gathering of world leaders, in the presence
of civil society and the global media, gave the stamp of legitimacy and consensus to the
processes of the conference. In preparing for the proposed Summit, world leaders would be
wise to heed these lessons, to reach out to as wide a circle as possible and to secure the
goodwill and support of the world's peoples. Some fear that international political
institutions inevitably evolve toward excessive centralization and constitute an
unwarranted layer of bureaucracy. It needs to be explicitly and forcefully stated that any
new structures for global governance must, as a matter of both principle and practicality,
ensure that the responsibility for decision-making remains at appropriate levels. [8]
Striking the right balance may not always be easy. On the one hand, genuine development
and real progress can be achieved only by people themselves, acting individually and
collectively, in response to the specific concerns and needs of their time and place. It
can be argued that the decentralization of governance is the sine qua non of development.
[9] On the other hand, the international order clearly requires a degree of global
direction and coordination. Therefore, in accordance with the principles of
decentralization outlined above, international institutions should be given the authority
to act only on issues of international concern where states cannot act on their own or to
intervene for the preservation of the rights of peoples and member states. All other
matters should be relegated to national and local institutions. [10] Furthermore, in
devising a specific framework for the future international order, leaders should survey a
broad range of approaches to governance. Rather than being modeled after any single one of
the recognized systems of government, the solution may embody, reconcile and assimilate
within its framework such wholesome elements as are to be found in each one of them. For
example, one of the time-tested models of governance that may accommodate the world's
diversity within a unified framework is the federal system. Federalism has proved
effective in decentralizing authority and decision-making in large, complex, and
heterogeneous states, while maintaining a degree of overall unity and stability. Another
model worth examining is the commonwealth, which at the global level would place the
interest of the whole ahead of the interest of any individual nation. Extraordinary care
must be taken in designing the architecture of the international order so that it does not
over time degenerate into any form of despotism, of oligarchy, or of demagogy corrupting
the life and machinery of the constituent political institutions. In 1955, during the
first decade review of the UN charter, the Bahá'í International Community offered a
statement to the United Nations, based on ideas articulated nearly a century before by
Bahá'u'lláh. "The Bahá'í concept of world order is defined in these terms: A
world Super-State in whose favor all the nations of the world will have ceded every claim
to make war, certain rights to impose taxation and all rights to maintain armaments,
except for the purposes of maintaining internal order within their respective dominions.
This State will have to include an International Executive adequate to enforce supreme and
unchallengeable authority on every recalcitrant member of the Commonwealth; a World
Parliament whose members are elected by the peoples in their respective countries and
whose election is confirmed by their respective governments; a Supreme Tribunal whose
judgment has a binding effect even in cases where the parties concerned have not
voluntarily agree d to submit their case to its consideration." [11] While we believe
this formulation of a world government is at once the ultimate safeguard and the
inevitable destiny of humankind, we do recognize that it represents a long-term picture of
a global society. Given the pressing nature of the current state of affairs, the world
requires bold, practical and actionable strategies that go beyond inspiring visions of the
future. Nevertheless, by focusing on a compelling concept, a clear and consistent
direction for evolutionary change emerges from the mire of contradictory views and
doctrines.
III. Defining A Role For The UN Within The Emerging International Order
- The United Nations was the centerpiece of the international system created by the
victors of World War II and, during the long decades of ideological conflict between the
East and the West, it served as a forum for international dialogue. Over the years, its
activities have expanded to include not only international standard-setting and promotion
of social and economic development but also peacekeeping operations on several continents.
Over the same period, the political reality of our world has experienced a dramatic
transformation. At the time of the UN's inception, there were some fifty independent
states. That number has grown to exceed 185. At the close of World War II, governments
were the main actors on the global scene. Today, the growing influence of organizations of
civil society and of multinational corporations has created a much more intricate
political landscape. Despite the growing complexity in its mission, the United Nations
system has retained more or less the same structure that was designed for a new
international organization some fifty years ago. It is not surprising then that the
occasion of its fiftieth anniversary has stimulated a new dialogue about its ability to
meet the political realities of the 21st Century. Unfortunately, in this dialogue,
criticism has far outweighed praise. Most criticisms of the operations of the United
Nations are based on comparisons with the operations of the leading organizations in the
private sector or on measurements relative to inflated initial expectations. Although some
specific comparisons may be useful in increasing the efficiency of the United Nations more
general exercises of this kind are essentially unfair. The United Nations lacks not only
the clear authority, but also the requisite resources to act effectively in most
instances. Accusations of the UN's failure are in fact indictments of the member states
themselves. Judged in isolation from the reality within which it operates, the United
Nations will always seem inefficient and ineffective. However, if it is viewed as one
element of a larger process of development in systems of international order, the bright
light of analysis would shift from the UN's shortcomings and failures to shine on its
victories and accomplishments. To those with an evolutionary mindset, the early experience
of the United Nations offers us a rich source of learning about its future role within the
international regime. An evolutionary mindset implies the ability to envision an
institution over a long time frame perceiving its inherent potential for development,
identifying the fundamental principles governing its growth, formulating high-impact
strategies for short-term implementation, and even anticipating radical discontinuities
along its path. Studying the United Nations from this perspective unveils significant
opportunities to strengthen the current system without the wholesale restructuring of its
principal institutions or the intensive re-engineering of its core processes. In fact, we
submit that no proposal for UN reform can produce high impact unless its recommendations
are internally consistent and direct the UN along a projected evolutionary path toward a
distinctive and relevant role within the future international order. We believe the
combination of recommendations described herein meets these conditions and that their
adoption would represent a measured but significant step toward building a more just world
order. [12] A. Resuscitating the General Assembly The foundation for any system of
governance is the rule of law and the primary institution for promulgating law is the
legislature. While the authority of local and national legislatures is generally
respected, regional and international legislative bodies have been the subject of fear and
suspicion. In addition, the United Nations General Assembly has been a target of attack
for its ineffectiveness. Although some of the accusations hurled against it are unfounded,
there are at least two shortcomings that hamper the ability of the General Assembly to
have impact. First, the current arrangement gives undue weight to state sovereignty,
resulting in a curious mix of anarchy and conservatism. In a reformed United Nations, the
legislative branch and its voting structure will need to represent more accurately the
people of the world as well as nation-states. [13] Second, General Assembly resolutions
are not binding unless they are separately ratified as a treaty by each member state. If
the current system, which places state sovereignty above all other concerns, is to give
way to a system which can address the interests of a single and interdependent humanity,
the resolutions of the General Assembly -- within a limited domain of issues -- must
gradually come to possess the force of law with provisions for both enforcement and
sanctions. These two shortcomings are closely linked inasmuch as the majority of the
world's people, suspicious and fearful of world government, are unlikely to submit to an
international institution unless it is itself more genuinely representative. [14]
Nevertheless, in the short term, five practical measures are possible to strengthen the
General Assembly, enhance its reputation and align it with a longer term direction. 1.
Raising Minimum Requirements For Membership The minimum standards for conduct by a
government towards its people have been well established in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and subsequent international covenants, collectively referred to as the
International Bill of Human Rights. Without an unshakable commitment to regular and
periodic elections with universal participation by secret ballot, to freedom of expression
and to other such human rights, a member state stands in the way of the active and
intelligent participation of the vast majority of its population in the affairs of its own
communities. We propose that there should be consequences for member states that violate
these standards. Similarly, nations seeking recognition should be denied membership until
they openly espouse these standards or make recognizable efforts to move in that
direction. 2. Appointing A Commission To Study Borders And Frontiers Outstanding
irredentist claims continue to be a major source of conflict and war, highlighting the
critical need for general agreements on national boundaries. Such treaties can only be
arrived at after consideration of the arbitrary manner in which many nation-states were
originally defined and of all outstanding claims of nations and ethnic groups. Rather than
relegating such claims to the World Court, we believe it would be best to establish a
special International Commission to research all claims affecting international boundaries
and then, after careful consideration, to make recommendations for action. [15] The
results would serve as an early warning system for growing tension among civil or ethnic
groups and assessment of threats in situations benefiting from early preventive diplomacy.
In order to establish a genuine community of nations in the long run, it will be necessary
to settle finally all disputes over borders. This research would serve that end. 3.
Searching For New Financial Arrangements Primarily triggered by the unwillingness of some
member states to remit their general assessments on time, compounded by the absence of
authority to collect any interest accrued because of that delay, and further aggravated by
the bureaucratic inefficiencies in parts of its operations, the annual budget shortfall
pressures the UN into a crisis management mentality. Voluntary payments from member states
will never be a reliable approach to finance an international institution. Vigorous
approaches to revenue generation must be devised to enable the smooth functioning of the
UN machinery. We propose the immediate appointment of an expert Task Force to begin a
rigorous search for solutions. In studying alternatives, the Task Force should be mindful
of several fundamental principles. First, there should be no assessments without
representation. Second, in the interest of fairness and justice, assessments should be
graduated. Third, mechanisms for encouraging voluntary contributions by individuals and
communities should not be overlooked. [16] 4. Making A Commitment To A Universal Auxiliary
Language And A Common Script The United Nations, which currently uses six official
languages, would derive substantial benefit from either choosing a single existing
language or creating a new one to be used as an auxiliary language in all its fora. Such a
step has long been advocated by many groups, from the Esperantists to the Bahá'í
International Community itself. [17] In addition to saving money and simplifying
bureaucratic procedures, such a move would go far toward promoting a spirit of unity. We
propose the appointment of a high-level Commission, with members from various regions and
drawn from relevant fields, including linguistics, economics, the social sciences,
education and the media, to begin careful study on the matter of an international
auxiliary language and the adoption of a common script. We foresee that eventually, the
world cannot but adopt a single, universally agreed-upon auxiliary language and script to
be taught in schools worldwide, as a supplement to the language or languages of each
country. The objective would be to facilitate the transition to a global society through
better communication among nations, reduction of administrative costs for businesses,
governments and others involved in global enterprise, and a general fostering of more
cordial relations between all members of the human family. [18] This proposal should be
read narrowly. It does not in any way envision the decline of any living language or
culture. 5. Investigating The Possibility Of A Single International Currency The need to
promote the adoption of a global currency as a vital element in the integration of the
global economy is self-evident. Among other benefits, economists believe that a single
currency will curb unproductive speculation and unpredictable market swings, promote a
leveling of incomes and prices worldwide, and thereby result in significant savings. [19]
The possibility of savings will not lead to action unless there is an overwhelming body of
evidence addressing the relevant concerns and doubts of skeptics, accompanied by a
credible implementation plan. We propose the appointment of a Commission consisting of the
most accomplished government leaders, academics and professionals to begin immediate
exploration into the economic benefits and the political costs of a single currency and to
hypothesize about an effective implementation approach. B. Developing a Meaningful
Executive Function At the international level, the single most important executive
function is the enforcement of a collective security pact. [20] Collective security
implies a binding covenant among nations to act in concert against threats to the
collective. The effectiveness of the covenant depends on the degree to which members
commit themselves to the collective good, even if motivated by a sense of enlightened
self-interest. Within the United Nations, the enforcement role is largely carried out by
the Security Council, with other functions of the executive being shared with the
Secretariat. Both are hampered in fulfilling their mandated roles. The Security Council
suffers from an inability to take decisive action. The Secretariat is pressured by the
complex demands of the member states. In the short term, four practical measures are
possible to strengthen the executive function within the United Nations. 1. Limiting The
Exercise Of The Veto Power The original intention of the UN Charter in conferring veto
power on the five Permanent Members was to prevent the Security Council from authorizing
military actions against a Permanent Member or requiring the use of its forces against its
will. [21] In fact, beginning with the Cold War, the veto power has been exercised
repeatedly for reasons that have to do with regional or national security. In its 1955
submission on UN reform, the Bahá'í International Community argued for the gradual
elimination of the concepts of "permanent membership" and "veto power"
as confidence in the Security Council would build. Today, forty years later, we reaffirm
that position. However, we also propose that, as a transitionary step, measures be
introduced to curb the exercise of the veto power to reflect the original intention of the
Charter. 2. Institutionalizing Ad Hoc Military Arrangements To support the peacekeeping
operations of the United Nations, and to add credibility to resolutions of the Security
Council, an International Force should be created. [22] Its loyalty to the UN and its
independence from national considerations must be assured. The command and control of such
a fully armed Force would reside with the Secretary-General under the authority of the
Security Council. Its finances, however, would be determined by the General Assembly. In
constructing such a force, the Secretary-General would seek to draw competent personnel
from all regions of the world. If properly implemented, this Force would also provide a
sense of security that might encourage steps toward global disarmament, thereby making
possible an outright ban on all weapons of mass destruction. [23] Furthermore, in line
with the principle of collective security, it would become gradually understood that
states need only maintain armaments sufficient for their own defense and the maintenance
of internal order. As an immediate step toward the establishment of this Force, the
present system of ad hoc arrangements could be institutionalized to establish core
regional forces for rapid deployment during a crisis. 3. Applying The Notion Of Collective
Security To Other Problems Of The Global Commons Although originally conceived within the
context of a threat of military aggression, the principle of collective security, some
argue, may now be applied in an expansive manner to all threats which, although apparently
local in nature, are actually the result of the complex breakdown of the present-day
global order. These threats include but are not limited to international drug trafficking,
food security, and the emergence of new global pandemics. [24] We believe this issue would
have to be included on the agenda of the proposed Global Summit. However, it is unlikely
that expansive formulations of collective security would preclude the fundamental cause of
military aggression. 4. Retaining Successful UN Institutions With Independent Executive
Function Some of the more independent organizations within the UN family, such as the UN
International Children's Emergency Fund, the International Civil Aviation Organization,
the Universal Postal Union, the International Telegraph and Communications Union, the
International Labor Organization, and the World Health Organization, have enjoyed
conspicuous success with focused but important areas of international concern. Generally,
these organizations already have their own executive function. Their independence should
be retained and reinforced as part of the international executive. [25] C. A Strengthened
World Court In any system of governance, a strong judicial function is necessary to
moderate the powers of the other branches and to enunciate, promulgate, protect and
deliver justice. The drive to create just societies has been among the fundamental forces
in history [26] -- and without doubt no lasting world civilization can be founded unless
it is firmly grounded in the principle of justice. Justice is the one power that can
translate the dawning consciousness of humanity's oneness into a collective will through
which the necessary structures of global community life can be confidently erected. An age
that sees the people of the world increasingly gaining access to information of every kind
and to a diversity of ideas will find justice asserting itself as the ruling principle of
successful social organization. At the individual level, justice is that faculty of the
human soul that enables each person to distinguish truth from falsehood. In the sight of
God, Bahá'í avers, justice is "the best beloved of all things" since it
permits each individual to see with his own eyes rather than the eyes of others, to know
through his own knowledge rather than the knowledge of his neighbor or his group. At the
group level, a concern for justice is the indispensable compass in collective
decision-making, because it is the only means by which unity of thought and action can be
achieved. Far from encouraging the punitive spirit that has often masqueraded under its
name in past ages, justice is the practical expression of awareness that, in the
achievement of human progress, the interests of the individual and those of society are
inextricably linked. To the extent that justice becomes a guiding concern of human
interaction, a consultative climate is encouraged that permits options to be examined
dispassionately and appropriate courses of action selected. In such a climate the
perennial tendencies toward manipulation and partisanship are far less likely to deflect
the decision-making process. Such a conception of justice will be gradually reinforced by
the realization that in an interdependent world, the interests of the individual and
society are inextricably intertwined. In this context, justice is a thread that must be
woven into the consideration of every interaction, whether in the family, the
neighborhood, or at the global level. We see in the current United Nations system the
foundation for a strengthened World Court. Established in 1945 as the principal judicial
organ of the United Nations, the International Court of Justice is characterized by many
positive elements. The current system for the selection of judges, for example, seeks to
create a judicial panel which is representative of a wide range of peoples, regions, and
judicial systems. [27] The Court's primary shortcoming is that it lacks the authority to
issue legally binding decisions, except in those cases where states have chosen in advance
to be bound by its decisions. Without jurisdiction, the Court is powerless to administer
justice. [28] In time, the decisions of the World Court may become binding and enforceable
upon all states; however, in the short term, the World Court might be strengthened through
two other measures. 1. Extending The Court's Jurisdiction Currently, the Court's
jurisdiction is limited to a few categories of cases, and only nations have standing to
bring an action. We propose that in addition to member states, other organs of the United
Nations should be given the right to bring cases before the Court. 2. Coordinating The
Thematic Courts The World Court should act as an umbrella for existing and new thematic
courts, that arbitrate and adjudicate international cases within specific thematic
domains. Early components of a unified system can already be found in the specialized
courts for arbitration of such matters as commerce and transportation, and in the
proposals for such bodies as an International Criminal Court and a Chamber for
Environmental Matters. Other issue areas that might need to be addressed under such a
system would include courts for international terrorism and drug trafficking.
IV. Releasing The Power Of The Individual: A Critical Challenge Of The Emerging
International Order
- The primary objective of governing institutions at all levels is the advancement of
human civilization. This objective is difficult to satisfy without the inspired and
intelligent participation of the generality of humankind in the life and affairs of the
community. With a focus on building institutions and creating a community of nations,
international bodies have historically remained distant from the minds and hearts of the
world's people. Separated by several layers of government from the international arena and
confused by the media's coverage of international news, the vast majority of people have
not yet developed an affinity for institutions like the United Nations. Only those
individuals who have had some access to the international arena through channels like
organizations of civil society seem able to identify with these institutions.
Paradoxically, international institutions cannot develop into an effective and mature
level of government and fulfill their primary objective to advance human civilization, if
they do not recognize and nurture their relationship of mutual dependency with the people
of the world. Such recognition would set in motion a virtuous cycle of trust and support
that would accelerate the transition to a new world order. The tasks entailed in the
development of a global society call for levels of capacity far beyond anything the human
race has so far been able to muster. Reaching these levels will require an enormous
expansion in access to knowledge on the part of every individual. International
institutions will succeed in eliciting and directing the potentialities latent in the
peoples of the world to the extent that their exercise of authority is moderated by their
obligation to win the confidence, respect, and genuine support of those whose actions they
seek to govern and to consult openly and to the fullest extent possible with all those
whose interests are affected. Individuals who become confident and respectful of these
institutions will, in turn, demand that their national governments increase their support,
both political and economic, for the international order. In turn, the international
institutions, with increased influence and power, will be better positioned to undertake
further actions to establish a legitimate and effective world order. Along with the
measures for strengthening its structure, the United Nations needs to adopt initiatives
that release the latent power in all people to participate in this galvanizing process. To
this end, certain themes that accelerate the advancement of the individual and society
warrant special consideration. Among them, promoting economic development, protecting
human rights, advancing the status of women, and emphasizing moral development are four
priorities so closely tied to the advancement of civilization that they must be emphasized
as part of the United Nations agenda. A. Promoting Economic Development Economic
development strategies employed by the United Nations, the World Bank and a number of
governments during the last fifty years, however sincerely conceived and executed, have
fallen far short of aspirations. In much of the world, the gap between the
"haves" and "have-nots" has widened and is accelerating with the
persistent disparity in income levels. Social problems have not subsided. In fact, crime
and disease are not just on the rise; they are also becoming endemic and more difficult to
combat. These failures can be traced to a number of factors. They include a misplaced
focus on large-scale projects and bureaucratic over-centralization, unjust terms of
international trade, a pervasive corruption that has been allowed to flourish throughout
the system, the exclusion of women from the decision-making processes at all levels, a
general inability to ensure that resources reach the poor, and the diversion of
development resources into military hardware. A dispassionate examination of these factors
betrays a common systematic and fundamental flaw in the current paradigm for economic
development: material needs are often addressed without taking into account the spiritual
factors and their motivating power. Development should not become confused with the
creation of an unsustainable consumer society. True prosperity encompasses spiritual as
well as material well-being. Food, drink, shelter and a degree of material comfort are
essential, but human beings cannot and never will find fulfillment in these necessities.
Nor is contentment to be found in the somewhat more intangible material attainments such
as social recognition or political power. Ultimately, not even intellectual achievement
satisfies our deepest needs. It is in the hunger for something more, something beyond
ourselves, that the reality of the human spirit can be properly understood. Although the
spiritual side of our nature is obscured by the day-to-day struggle for material
attainment, our need for the transcendent cannot long be disregarded. Thus a sustainable
development paradigm must address both the spiritual aspirations of human beings and their
material needs and desires. Education is the best investment in economic development.
"Man is the supreme Talisman. Lack of a proper education hath, however, deprived him
of that which he doth inherently possess," writes Bah‡ÕuÕll‡h.
"Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause
it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." [29] Education,
implies more than a process of mastering a narrow body of knowledge or learning a set of
life skills. In truth, education, which should be a fundamental imperative of development,
must also teach the process for knowledge acquisition, cultivate the powers of intellect
and reasoning, and infuse the student with indispensable moral qualities. It is this
comprehensive approach to education that allows people to contribute to the creation of
wealth and encourage its just distribution. [30] Genuine wealth is created when work is
undertaken not simply as a means of earning a livelihood but also as a way to contribute
to society. We hold that meaningful work is a basic need of the human soul, as important
to the proper development of the individual as nutritious food, clean water and fresh air
are to the physical body. Because of the spiritually damaging nature of dependency,
schemes which focus solely on redistributing material wealth are doomed to failure in the
long run. Distribution of wealth must be approached in an efficient and equitable manner.
In fact, it must be intimately integrated with the process of wealth creation. We propose
the following recommendation to the United Nations system for promoting more effective
development. 1. Launching A Determined Campaign To Implement Agenda 21 The plan of action
formulated at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development incorporated a
wide range of views from civil society and a set of principles not unlike those
articulated in this statement. Unfortunately, however, little has been done by member
states to implement the measures described in the plan. If the objectives of Agenda 21 are
to be addressed and satisfied, an expanded effort, different in nature but comparable in
scale and commitment to the Marshall Plan for the redevelopment of post-war Europe, might
be necessary. In this case, the Bretton Woods institutions would be called upon to mount a
pronounced campaign to expedite national implementation efforts. A mandate of this nature
can result only from a conference, similar to the first Bretton Woods meetings fifty years
ago, dedicated to a wholesale re-examination of these institutions. The purpose of this
re-examination would be to make available to the people of the world sufficient resources
so that they could implement local initiatives. Moreover, the conference could also expand
its agenda to address deeper issues of global economic security through the redefinition
of existing institutions or the creation of new structures. [31] If successful, this new
machinery could also be extended to coordinate implementation of the measures identified
at the recent Social Summit. B. Protecting Fundamental Human Rights Over the five decades
since the United Nations was founded, an understanding has emerged that human rights must
be recognized and protected internationally if peace, social progress and economic
prosperity are to be established. The foundation for international agreement on the nature
of human rights is the all-important Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the
United Nations in 1948 and elaborated in two international covenants -- the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Social, Economic
and Cultural Rights. In addition, some 75 other conventions and declarations identify and
promote the rights of women and children, the right to freedom of worship, and the right
to development, to name but a few. The current United Nations human rights regime has two
major shortcomings: limited means for enforcement and follow-up, and too little emphasis
on the responsibilities that accompany all rights. Human rights enforcement at the
international level needs to be handled in a manner similar to the treatment of military
aggression under a collective security regime. The violation of human rights in one state
must be considered the concern of all, and enforcement mechanisms must provide for a
unified response on the part of the entire international community. The question of when
and how to intervene to protect human rights is more difficult to answer. Vigorous
enforcement will require a high degree of global consensus on what constitutes a flagrant
and willful violation. Important steps toward global consensus were taken during the
process leading up to the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights, which affirmed
unequivocally that human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent, and ended
the long-standing debate about the relative importance of civil and political rights as
compared to social, economic and cultural rights. [32] Conference resolutions also
confirmed that human rights must be applied irrespective of differences of racial
background, ethnic origin, religious belief or national identity. They encompass the
equality of women and men; they include for all individuals worldwide the same rights to
freedom of investigation, information and religious practice; and they embody the right of
everyone to basic necessities such as food, shelter, and health care. [33] Beyond the need
to build consensus and strengthen enforcement of human rights, it is important to
establish a greater understanding that to each right is attached! a corresponding
responsibility. The right to be recognized as a person before the law, for example,
implies the responsibility to obey the law -- and to make both the laws and the legal
system more just. Likewise, in the socio-economic realm, the right to marry carries with
it the responsibility to support the family unit, to educate one's children and to treat
all family members with respect. [34] The right to work cannot be divorced from the
responsibility to perform one's duties to the best of one's ability. In the broadest
sense, the notion of "universal" human rights implies a responsibility to
humanity as a whole. Ultimately, while it is up to the individual to fulfill the
responsibility in each such area, it is up to international institutions to protect the
related human right. We propose three measures for immediate action. 1. Strengthening The
Machinery Of The UN For Monitoring, Implementation And Follow-Up The United Nations
machinery for the monitoring, implementation and follow-up of government compliance with
international covenants is inadequate. The Centre for Human Rights consists of a very
small professional staff struggling to support efforts to monitor the compliance by
countries of all treaties they have ratified. We believe the resources assigned to this
Centre must be dramatically increased if it is to discharge its duties properly. 2.
Encouraging Universal Ratification Of International Conventions On Human Rights Since
ratifying the international conventions on human rights creates an obligation for member
states, albeit not a practically enforceable one, the Secretary-General and all bodies of
the UN might consider every opportunity to encourage member states to act on this issue.
In fact, a demanding timeline for universal ratification may be an inspiring goal to be
set by the General Assembly. 3. Assuring Respect For The Monitoring Organs Of Un Involved
In Human Rights Since the mandate of the human rights monitoring agencies is of a very
serious nature, the UN needs to be particularly mindful of perceptions created by the
structure and processes of these agencies and equally deliberate in acting to resolve
compromising situations. We believe it would be prudent to explore during the nomination
process the qualifications of member states in visible positions and to exclude from
election to membership on the Commission on Human Rights and other monitoring agencies,
any member states that have not yet ratified the international conventions. While these
member states would still be able to fully participate in deliberations, it would protect
the United Nations from a potentially embarrassing and compromising situation. We also
believe that a single exception is warranted to the above rule. Member states, not under
the scrutiny of the UN, that have sufficient protection for fundamental human rights
within their constitutions, but which have not been able to complete the ratification
process because of internal political reasons, should not be barred from election to
visible positions. Finally, it also seems prudent for member states that have ratified the
international conventions but are under scrutiny for gross human rights violations to be
disqualified from election to the offices of conferences and other meetings of the
Commission on Human Rights. This will prevent a widespread perception of the proceedings
as a mockery. C. Advancing the Status of Women The creation of a peaceful and sustainable
world civilization will be impossible without the full participation of women in every
arena of human activity. [35] While this proposition is increasingly supported, there is a
marked difference between intellectual acceptance and its implementation. It is time for
the institutions of the world, composed mainly of men, to use their influence to promote
the systematic inclusion of women, not out of condescension or presumed self-sacrifice but
as an act motivated by the belief that the contributions of women are required for society
to progress. [36] Only as the contributions of women are valued will they be sought out
and woven into the fabric of society. The result will be a more peaceful, balanced, just
and prosperous civilization. [37] The obvious biological differences between the sexes
need not be a cause for inequality or disunity. Rather, they are an aspect of
complementarity. If the role of women as mothers is properly valued, their work in
nurturing and educating children will be respected and properly rewarded. It should also
be acknowledged that the child-bearing role does not diminish one's aptitude for
leadership, or undermine one's intellectual, scientific or creative capacity. Indeed, it
may be an enhancement. We believe progress on a few critical fronts would have the
greatest impact on the advancement of women. We share the following perspectives which are
foundational to the recommendations which follow. First and foremost, violence against
women and girls, one of the most blatant and widespread abuses of human rights, must be
eradicated. Violence has been a fact of life for many women throughout the world,
regardless of race, class, or educational background. In many societies, traditional
beliefs that women are inferior or a burden make them easy targets of anger and
frustration. Even strong legal remedies and enforcement mechanisms will have little effect
until they are supported by a transformation in the attitudes of men. Women will not be
safe until a new social conscience takes hold, one which will make the mere expression of
condescending attitudes towards women, let alone any form of physical violence, a cause
for deep shame. Second, the family remains the basic building block of society and
behaviors observed and learned there will be projected onto interactions at all other
levels of society. Therefore, the members of the institution of the family must be
transformed so that the principle of equality of women and men is internalized. Further,
if the bonds of love and unity cement family relationships, the impact will reach beyond
its borders and affect society as a whole. Third, while the overall goal of any society
must be to educate all its members, at this stage in human history the greatest need is to
educate women and girls. [38] For over twenty years, studies have consistently documented
that, of all possible investments, educating women and girls pays the highest overall
dividends in terms of social development, the eradication of poverty and the advancement
of community. [39] Fourth, the global dialogue on the role of men and women must promote
recognition of the intrinsic complementarity of the two sexes. For the differences between
them are a natural assertion of the necessity of women and men to work together to bring
to fruition their potentialities for advancing civilization, no less than for perpetuating
the human race. Such differences are inherent in the interactive character of their common
humanity. This dialogue needs to consider the historical forces which have led to the
oppression of women and examine the new social, political and spiritual realities which
are today transforming our civilization. As a starting point for this dialogue we offer
this analogy from the Writings: "The world of humanity has two wings -- one is women
and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one
wing remain weak, flight is impossible." [40] In addition, we support the following
three specific measures. 1. Increasing The Participation Of Women In Member State
Delegations We recommend that member states be encouraged to appoint an increased number
of women to ambassadorial or similar diplomatic positions. 2. Encouraging Universal
Ratification Of International Conventions That Protect Women's Rights And Improve Their
Status As with the international conventions on human rights, the Secretary-General and
all bodies of the UN should consider every opportunity to encourage member states to
proceed with ratification of conventions and protocols that protect women's rights and
seek their advancement. 3. Planning Ahead For Implementation Of The Beijing Platform Of
Action The Forward-Looking Strategies declaration adopted at the Nairobi conference was
highly bold and imaginative, yet its implementation was rather ineffective. [41] We
believe that a lesson should be learned from this unfortunate experience and deliberate
plans be put into place to ensure that the Platform of Action emerging from the Beijing
conference does not meet a similar fate. We propose that a monitoring system be
established to prepare status reports on the implementation of adopted measures and to
make presentations to the General Assembly annually, highlighting the top twenty and
bottom twenty member states in terms of compliance. D. Emphasizing Moral Development The
process of integrating human beings into larger and larger groups, although influenced by
culture and geography, has been driven largely by religion, the most powerful agent for
changing human attitudes and behavior. By religion, however, we mean the essential
foundation or reality of religion, not the dogmas and blind imitations which have
gradually encrusted it and which are the cause of its decline and effacement. In the words
of 'Abdu'l-Bahá "Material civilization is like the body. No matter how infinitely
graceful, elegant and beautiful it may be, it is dead. Divine civilization is like the
spirit, and the body gets its life from the spirit. . . . Without the spirit the world of
mankind is lifeless." [42] The concept of promoting specific morals or values may be
controversial, especially in this age of humanistic relativism. Nevertheless, we firmly
believe there exists a common set of values that have been obscured from recognition by
those who exaggerate minor differences in religious or cultural practice for political
purposes. [43] These foundation virtues, taught by all spiritual communities, constitute a
basic framework for moral development. Reflection on the commonalties inherent in the
great religious and moral systems of the world reveals that each one espouses unity,
cooperation and harmony among people, establishes guidelines for responsible behavior and
supports the development of virtues which are the foundation for trust-based and
principled interactions. [44] 1. Promoting The Development Of Curricula For Moral
Education In Schools We advocate a universal campaign to promote moral development. Simply
put, this campaign should encourage and assist local initiatives all over the world to
incorporate a moral dimension into the education of children. It may necessitate the
holding of conferences, the publication of relevant materials and many other supportive
activities, all of which represent a solid investment in a future generation. This
campaign for moral development may begin with a few simple precepts. For example,
rectitude of conduct, trustworthiness, and honesty are the foundation for stability and
progress; altruism should guide all human endeavor, such that sincerity and respect for
the rights of others become an integral part of every individual's actions; service to
humanity is the true source of happiness, honor and meaning in life. We also believe the
campaign will be successful only to the extent that the force of religion is relied upon
in the effort. The doctrine of the separation of church and state should not be used as a
shield to block this salutary influence. Specifically, religious communities will have to
be drawn in as collaborative partners in this important initiative. As it proceeds, this
campaign will accelerate a process of individual empowerment that will transform the way
in which people, regardless of economic class, social standing, or ethnic, racial or
religious background, interact with their society.
V. A Turning Point For All Nations: A Call To World Leaders
We have reached a turning point in the progress of nations. "Unification of the whole
of mankind is the hall-mark of the stage which human society is now approaching. Unity of
family, of tribe, of city-state, and nation have been successively attempted and fully
established. World unity is the goal towards which a harassed humanity is striving.
Nation-building has come to an end. The anarchy inherent in state sovereignty is moving
towards a climax. A world, growing to maturity, must abandon this fetish, recognize the
oneness and wholeness of human relationships, and establish once for all the machinery
that can best incarnate this fundamental principle of its life." [45] Over a century
ago, Bahaacute;ÕuÕlláh taught that there is but one God, that there is only one human
race, and that all the world's religions represent stages in the revelation of God's will
and purpose for humanity. Bahaacute;ÕuÕlláh announced the arrival of the time, foretold
in all of the world's scriptures, when humanity would at last witness! the uniting of all
peoples into a peaceful and integrated society. He said that human destiny lies not merely
in the creation of a materially prosperous society, but also in the construction of a
global civilization where individuals are encouraged to act as moral beings who understand
their true nature and are able to progress toward a greater fulfillment that no degree of
material bounty alone can provide. Bahaacute;ÕuÕlláh was also among the first to invoke
the phrase "new world order" to describe the momentous changes in the political,
social and religious life of the world. "The signs of impending convulsions and chaos
can now be discerned, inasmuch as the prevailing Order appeareth to be lamentably
defective," He wrote. "Soon will the present-day order be rolled up and a new
one spread out in its stead." [46] To this end, He laid a charge on the leaders and
members of society alike. "It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own
country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country and
mankind its citizens." [47] Above all else, leaders for the next generation must be
motivated by a sincere desire to serve the entire community and must understand that
leadership is a responsibility; not a path to privilege. For too long, leadership has been
understood, by both leaders and followers, as the assertion of control over other! s.
Indeed, this age demands a new definition of leadership and a new type of leader. [48]
This is especially true in the international arena. In order to establish a sense of
trust, win the confidence, and inculcate a fond affinity in the hearts of the world's
people for institutions of the international order, these leaders will have to reflect on
their own actions. Through an unblemished record of personal integrity, they must help
restore confidence and trust in government. They must embody the characteristics of
honesty, humility and sincerity of purpose in seeking the truth of a situation. They must
be committed to and guided by principles, thereby acting in the best long-term interests
of humanity as a whole. "Let your vision be world-embracing, rather than confined to
your own selves," Bahaacute;ÕuÕlláh wrote. "Do not busy yourselves in your
own concerns; let your thoughts be fixed upon that which will rehabilitate the fortunes of
mankind and sanctify the hearts and souls of men." [49]
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