Critical choices: The United Nations, networks, and the future of global governance

ABSTRACT

Critical Choices outlines promising ways of how global public policy networks can help to meet the governance challenges of the 21st century and equips policymakers with a practical toolbox to manage globalization. It is in the interest of governments to engage in these "coalitions for change" to better be able to meet their responsibilities toward their citizens. Profound and continuing change in our global environment -- social, political, and economic -- today demands commensurate changes in our institutions of global governance, not least in the institution that lies at the core of the international system, the United Nations. The organization faces a series of critical choices in responding to these fundamental challenges. Creative new arrangements are needed urgently to allow governments, other organizations, both public and private, and individuals around the world to work together to address pressing global problems -- from weapons control, to the lack of adequate global labor standards, to climate change -- as they arise.