UN2020 Monthly Update (March 2020)

Event Description

A pandemic was just beginning, and the case for stronger cooperation between nations had rarely been plainer. This March 2020 UN2020 update was held online as coronavirus closed events. It was for members of Citizens for Global Solutions (CGS) following the UN75 process. UN75 was the global conversation the United Nations launched for its 75th anniversary. UN2020 was the civil society campaign for a leaders-level review of the UN system. Members reviewed the draft UN75 People’s Declaration, written by civil society. It was open for comment until the next day.

Nancy Dunlavy of the Minnesota chapter explained how UN2020, Together First and the UN75 Office relate. Together First was a related campaign that also carried civil society ideas to the UN. A demonstration showed how to endorse the proposal for a UN Parliamentary Assembly on the Together First site. Members then proposed changes to the draft. One was a standing UN rapid-deployment or peace force, with questions about who decides when it is used and how it would be funded. Others were reform of the Security Council and its veto, and more attention to Eastern views of social harmony. Members also suggested a framing line that past wars drove past reforms. They asked for language that moves readers from international to global thinking. The group agreed to send its comments to the draft’s lead author and to meet again on 28 March.

Speakers

• Nancy Dunlavy, CGS Minnesota chapter, who presented the three initiatives
• Donna Park, CGS Board Chair, who facilitated

Titles are as of the event date.

Policy Focus

UN75, the UN2020 campaign and United Nations reform. Members asked how a standing UN force would be authorized and financed, and how to reform the Security Council. They also asked how to make a short civil society declaration both realistic and bold.

See also: the February 2020 and September 2020 UN2020 updates.

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