The Involvement of Elected Representatives in International Decision Making
There is growing awareness that globalisation is creating greater disparities between the rich and the poor. Crucial global issues concerning biodiversity, climate change, the environment, finance, trade, refugees, peace and security are not being adequately addressed through existing mechanisms. Over recent decades governments have created a complex and confusing system of inter-governmental bodies to deal with different issues, such as the UN Conventions for Climate Change, Biodiversity and other issues; the UN Conferences on the Environment (Rio), Women (Beijing), etc; and the World Trade Organisation, to develop international rules. Decisions made by these international bodies are taken in isolation and often work against initiatives instituted by other bodies. These decisions often take no account of local conditions or the wishes of local citizens.
The influential Commission for Global Governance published its report, 'Our Global Neighborhood' in 1995 which recognised the need for global governance to draw together all of the international institutions to develop coherent policies which will pay heed to peace and security, economic and social affairs, development and human rights. This report called for the UN to be at the centre of a new democratic and accountable system of global governance. It noted the need for a strong civil society which should be fully integrated into the global decision making processes.
Civil society is traditionally seen to be composed of local, national and international NGOs, large NGO coalitions working on specific issues of mutual interest, and community groups. The UN Secretary General recognises the benefits of involving non-state actors beyond the traditional confines of NGOs and broader civil society. He emphasises the importance of four groups; the private sector, media, academia and parliamentarians.
NGOs and other sectors of civil society are rarely representative of broad sections of a community or country. Their strength is that they focus on one or a small number of important issues and are able to bring pressure on government on these issues. The role of democratically elected parliamentarians in reform of the UN and intergovernmental institutions is crucial. Both local and national elected representatives can bring a perspective to international decision making which the other elements of civil society are unable to. Most will be involved in drafting and implanting legislation with regard to international agreements and decisions taken at international institutions. International groupings of elected representatives such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, The Parliamentarians for Global Action and The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association have had positive impact on the way international decisions are taken. Their role must be enhanced and become more systematic.
Stephen Byers, the UK Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, has said in relation to the WTO, 'We must consider having some form of parliamentary assembly to allow a greater degree of accountability.' Mike Moore, the Secretary General of the WTO, has also said that this idea should be explored further. If the WTO requires a parliamentary assembly then this idea should be seriously considered for all international organisations taking decisions which affect the lives of people around the world.
This paper will seek to explore the role which elected representatives can play at the international level to ensure real accountability and transparency. It will look at ways to integrate local authorities and locally elected politicians in the decision-making processes.