The OCGG Government Section aims at a better world order for humanity at a global scale for the long term future. This is a multipolar world governed by multilateral institutions under the auspices of the United Nations.

 

by André Nilsen

Recommendation to the European Council

The European Council should not make Tony Blair its first permanent President but instead choose a low-profile, consensual, trusted, multilateralist, centrist, progressive, diplomatic, Europeanist, forward-looking, and public-spirited woman or man among the many excellent other candidates.

OCGG Government Recommendation No 7 (PDF)

 

by André Nilsen

Recommendation to the European Council and Ireland

With an unpopular government, a disorganized pro-Lisbon movement, and a strong anti-Lisbon campaign, winning the new Irish referendum requires mobilizing domestic and European support, refocusing and reframing the issue, emphasizing the stakes, and improving public understanding.

OCGG Government Recommendation No 6 (PDF)

 

by André Nilsen

Recommendation to the European Council and Ireland

The Lisbon Treaty is of fundamental importance to the unity, legitimacy, and effectiveness of the European Union. It moreover enjoys overwhelming democratic support through its ratification so far by 18 Member States. The national leaders, meeting in the European Council in Bruxelles on 19-20 June 2008, must therefore act calmly, responsibly, and confidently to ensure its scheduled coming into effect on 1 January 2009. They must let the remaining 8 Member States complete ratification while facilitating that Ireland immediately but temporarily steps out of the EU into the EFTA.

OCGG Government Recommendation No 5 (PDF)

 

by Anna Dimitríjevics

Advice to the Governments of the Member States of the United Nations

The Secretary-General’s latest report is a forceful statement in favour of the United Nations, pointing out the hypocrisy inherent in scapegoating the organisation while denying it adequate resources and power to act effectively. At the same time, the report addresses the pressing need to reform the UN itself directly and boldly.

This Advice Paper will evaluate some of the report’s key points around the themes of larger accountability, larger connectivity, larger inclusion and larger support.

The OCGG fully supports efforts to make the UN more accountable to the peoples of the world, as well as the governments of Member States. This must include the careful extension of the scope of multilateral intervention to cases where a member state poses a very grave threat to its own citizens.

The OCGG also notes with approval the Secretary General’s emphasis on larger connectivity. However, in restructuring the UN's relationship with the wider international community, impartiality must remain of paramount importance.

The Security Council must be reformed, but it is impossible to simultaneously realise all of the particular goals advocated by the Secretary General. The OCGG proposes an alternative blueprint.

Finally, "In Larger Freedom" does not go far enough in indentifying the particular ways in which the UN's support structure must be improved. This Advice Paper calls attention to some crucial gaps and proposes practicable solutions.

OCGG Government Advice No 4 (PDF)

 

by Anna Dimitríjevics

Advice to the Governments of the Member States of the United Nations

The recently published Report of the High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change is a bold and important step towards reforming the UN system to better respond to the needs and challenges of the 21st century. This OCGG paper compares some of its most significant recommendations with those presented in OCGG Government Advice No 2 on the legal use of force. Most of these recommendations support each other, but the Advice Paper shows that in some areas the Panel Report did not go far enough, and it remains necessary to consider further reform in some areas: most importantly in ensuring effective early action, and establishing a UN army.

OCGG Government Advice No 3 (PDF)

 

by André Nilsen

Recommendation to the Principals of the European Union

Despite the unsuccessful referendums in France on Sunday 29 May and The Netherlands on Wednesday 1 June, the European Constitution is still alive.

The leaders of the institutions and governments of the European Union have a moral, political, and legal duty to ensure that the ratification process continues in the remaining Member States.

Everything should be done to secure victory in the outstanding referenda. If necessary, the possible accession of Turkey, the Lisbon agenda, and other controversial issues should be scrapped from the political agenda of the European Union.

Germany and Spain have a particularly heavy responsibility to take leadership and keep the momentum up.

OCGG Government Recommendation No 3 (PDF)

 

edited by Anna Dimitríjevics

Advice to the UN High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges, and Change

The Oxford Council on Good Governance presents the following recommendations to the United Nations High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, in order to improve collective responses to the security challenges facing Member States:

Legitimacy Requires Legality

The legality of the use of force should be of foremost consideration. Except for Article 51 cases of self-defence, only use of force authorized by the Security Council should be considered legitimate.

New Members of the Security Council

To preserve the legitimacy and efficiency of the UN system, membership in the Security Council should be adjusted with permanent seats created for Brazil, Egypt, India, Japan and South Africa, and an EU seat replacing those held by France and the UK.

Limiting the Veto Right

Individual veto rights should be reserved exclusively for the current permanent members and the EU for the foreseeable future. Their exercise should be subject to organized self-restraint.

An Independent Fact-Finding Commission

To overcome potential deadlocks in the Security Council in the face of the need for urgent humanitarian intervention, an independent fact-finding commission should be created. The commission could be called into action by the Secretary-General or by a qualified majority in the Security Council. The Security Council would be obliged to decide whether to follow the commission’s recommendations, with veto rights giving place to qualified majority voting solely on these exceptional occasions.

A Standing UN Army

A stand-by UN army should be created from contributions of 5% or more of each member state’s national troops and military budget to cover the costs of UN training and the maintenance of interoperable equipment.

OCGG Government Advice No 2 (PDF)

 

The OCGG Government Section produces advice on the design, operation, and reform of public institutions and organizations, aiming to enhance their effectiveness and legitimacy in making and implementing public policies. [More]

André Nilsen, Chairman and Managing Director of the OCGG, critically assesses Tony Blair's candidacy for EU President in OCGG Government Recommendation No 7.

André Nilsen, Chairman and Managing Director of the OCGG, proposes ways to win the new Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty in OCGG Government Recommendation No 6.

André Nilsen, Chairman and Managing Director of the OCGG, urges Ireland to step out of the EU into the EFTA so the other Member States can enact the Lisbon Treaty in OCGG Government Recommendation No 5.

Anna Dimitríjevics, OCGG Advice Program Manager, presents advice on the implementation of the "In Larger Freedom" Report of the Secretary General in OCGG Government Advice No 4.

Anna Dimitríjevics, OCGG Advice Program Manager, presents advice on the implementation of the Report of the High Level Panel in OCGG Government Advice No 3.

André Nilsen, Chairman and Managing Director of the OCGG, defends the European Constitution in OCGG Government Recommendation No 3.

Anna Dimitríjevics, OCGG Analyst, presents advice to the UN High Level Panel on the vital role of the Security Council and the UN Charter in strengthening the legitimacy of the use of force in international affairs in OCGG Government Advice No 2.

André Nilsen, Chairman and Managing Director of the OCGG, calls on the US to shut down its Global Gulag in OCGG Law Recommendation No 1.

Holger Osterrieder, Director of the OCGG Government Section, criticizes the US approach to Mauritania and calls for a greater EU role in the wake of the coup in OCGG Security Recommendation No 4.

Silke Rusch, OCGG Analyst, offers advice on reforming UN peacebuilding operations in OCGG Security Advice No 2.