Modernizing the United Nations System: Civil Society''s Role in Moving from International Relations to Global Governance

By John E. Trent

This book contends that civil society must mobilize its capacities to bring a new will to national and international politics and oblige governments to act. It starts by demonstrating the need for institutional change at the UN and then shows how, both in the past and the present, leading individuals and nongovernmental organizations, using their knowledge base and their organizational networks, have lead the fight for international organizations. After a summary of major UN reform proposals over the years, the book concludes by identifying leading global "reformers" and elaborating a detailed plan for a global reform movement to spearhead the modernization of the UN system.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3866490038
• ISBN13: 9783866490031
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Verlag Barbara Budrich
• Length: 303 Pages
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Comments by a former U.N. official

Modernizing the United Nations System is for me the best and most thorough compendium on the United Nations system. Written in a simple and transparent style, it is accessible to everyone. Its originality rests on the demonstration of how the United Nations system can reform itself and respond to the new challenges of globalization. The author's concept of the role civil society can play to bring about a modernized United Nations which could cope with these challenges is very convincing. This may very well be the path to follow. Mr Trent's faith is contagious; everyone should hurry and get acquainted with this book. --Marcel Martin, former Director of the United Nations Radio and Visual Services Division.