2. Working Toward Global Governance

The question before the human community is not whether there will be a new world order. Rather, it is what kind of world order? On what values will it be based? Who will be its designers and decision-makers? Will it be a fragmented order of economic, ethnic, religious, and armed conflict? Will it be controlled by the economically and militarily powerful? Or will it be a genuinely participatory order, governed by effective international law and based on equity and economic and ecological sustainability?

Global governance is not world government. As articulated in the report of the Commission on Global Governance, Our Global Neighborhood, it is "the sum of ways in which individuals and institutions, public and private, mange their common affairs." The concept of global governance is based on three factors: (a) Government structures have limited capacities to meet the multiple needs of citizens and communities; (b) Many transboundary problems and opportunities surpass the competencies of national institution and policy makers; (c) An emerging civil society of non-governmental and citizens' organizations, professional and trade associations, economic enterprises, mass media, and educational and religion networks provide essential services and leadership at local, national and global levels.

Governments will remain primary actors in global governance. United Nations agencies will play a pivotal role. But the aforementioned components of civil society are becoming important actors in managing our common affairs. Religious networks of schools, universities, alumni, research institutes, health and medical institutions, and community-based social and economic programs have unique potential for becoming effective partners in the task of global governance.

Building upon the values and principles of your religious and faith tradition, what recommendations would you make in the following areas:

a. Global Civic Society

Without a core set of values that respect individual human dignity and cultural diversity and participatory decision-making process, local communities and ecological systems become expendable. From the perspective of your values, what should be the criteria for a global civic society? For global citizenship?

b. Global Structures and Systems

It is necessary to develop global policies and systems to manage our common affairs. What global policies, systems and instruments would be consistent with your values and principles? Specifically, how could the policies, systems and instruments of your preferred world order address the above five issues?

c. Local Initiatives

The local and global are deeply interrelated. What "bottom-up" initiatives can be combined with transnational initiatives to create policies and systems capable of fulfilling your desired world order and forms of global governance?

d. Balancing Tensions

The achievement of a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable future depends upon values and systems of governance that can balance the following tensions. What insights can your religious tradition give on balance in these areas of tension?

	individual good and common good
	rights and responsibilities
	private sector and public sector
	long-term and short-term objectives
	economic and environmental needs
	local, national and global sovereignties

e. Religious Resources for Global Governance

What particular expertise, institutions, networks and other resources can your religious community utilize to participate in the building of a just world order? Think laterally, considering your affiliates, such as:

	schools and institutions of higher education
	research institutions
	media and communication networks
	publications and media materials
	community-based networks and programs
	professional associations