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

The world that we live in today is changing dramatically. Economic and political liberalization, together with accelerating technological change, are driving the extraordinary process we know as globalization. This new global environment requires new approaches, new ideas, and innovative tools to address new challenges in areas as different as weapons control, climate change, genetic engineering, and labour standards. Critical Choices looks at one such tool: global public policy networks. In these networks, governments, international organizations, the corporate sector, and civil society join together to achieve what none can accomplish on its own. The authors explore both the promises and the limitations of this new form of global cooperation. They discuss how such networks might contribute to better manage the risks and make use of the opportunities that globalization presents. Finally, they offer provocative advice and solid recommendations on how the United Nations can foster such networks in the years ahead. The United Nations faces a set of critical choices. It must not only be a haven for its member states but also needs to find ways to collaborate with civil society and the global business community in tackling the challenges that lie ahead. By promoting global public policy networks, the UN will more effectively serve its member states and fulfill its mission to address the problems of humanity. Foreword / Maureen O'neil -- Ch. 1. Introduction -- Ch. 2. A Changing External Environment -- Economic And Political Liberalization -- Technological Change -- The Multidimensional Impacts Of Liberalization And Technological Change -- Complexity And The Risks Of A Partial View -- The Participatory Gap -- States, International Organizations, And The Imperative Of Change -- Ch. 3. What Do Networks Do? -- A Primer On Networks -- Placing Issues On The Global Agenda -- Negotiating And Setting Standards And Regulations -- Developing And Disseminating Knowledge -- Making And Deepening Markets -- Implementing Ideas And Decisions -- Closing The Participatory Gap -- Ch. 4. Network Management -- Getting The Network Off The Ground -- Balancing Adequate Consultation And Goal Delivery -- Securing Sustainable Funding -- Maintaining The Structure In Structured Informality -- Finding Allies Outside One's Sector -- Tackling The Dual Challenge Of Inclusion -- Ch. 5. Networks And The United Nations -- From Vision To Reality: A Three-track Approach -- Roles For The United Nations In Gpp Networks -- Making The United Nations Fit For Gpp Networks -- Ch. 6. Conclusion -- App. 2. Case Studies Of The Un Vision Project On Global Public Policy Networks. Wolfgang H. Reinicke And Francis Deng ; With Jan Martin Witte ... [et Al.]. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 133-138).