Right direction but very cautious: Cardoso-Report

Statement of the Committee for a Democratic UN on the presentation of the UN High-Level-Panel's report on the relations of the UN and Civil Society

(PRWEB) June 23, 2004 -- The report of the High-Level-Panel on the relations of the United Nations and Civil Society presented on Monday (06/21) in New York was called a "step into the right direction by the Committee for a Democratic UN (CDUN). The recommendations of the panel, lead by former president Fernando H. Cardoso of Brazil, however remain very cautious, says the Committee. The possibility of a historic milestone was not used", said Andreas Bummel, Chairman of the Committee, in a first reaction on Tuesday. Discussion on a related reform of the United Nations is now open. The report is a good starting point for the further debate", said Bummel.

"The Cardoso-Report recognizes that globalization of almost all fields of life has lead to a democracy deficit on the international level. It is a right conclusion to include further actors from economy, society and parliaments into the deliberations at the United Nations", said Bummel. The report proposes that global policy committees are established to test ways of enhancing the role of parliamentarians on the international level. These committees should be composed of parliamentarians which belong to the corresponding committees of their national parliaments and should work closely with the organizations of the UN system. Thereby it could be possible to build upon the structures of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, said the Committee in its comment.

It would be more consequent, however, to include the elected representatives of the populations of the UN member states into the UN structure on a more permanent and firm basis, not only half-heartedly through informal committees. What the United Nations needs is a Parliamentary Assembly which is institutionally anchored. This proposal can be build seamlessly upon the recommendations of the Cardoso-Report , said Bummel.

The Committee for a Democratic UN perceives the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) has the decisive step to introduce a new quality, new impulses and enhanced citizens participation into the international system. In July the Committee will present a study on the establishment of a UN Parliament.

CDUN was founded earlier this year and is based in Germany. The Committee is under the auspices of the Club of Budapest. The Advisory Council is composed of parliamentarians of all Groups in the German Bundestag as well as of other personalities from public life.

Further information:
Internet: www.uno-komitee.de/en/