CIVIL SOCIETY
IN THE INTERNATIONAL
ARENA

The pandemic tested existing routines and practices of international cooperation, and they were found wanting, as states took unilateral actions that intensified the emergency. The dismal practice of vaccine nationalism threatened to slow recovery and intensify global inequalities. Repressive states, notably China and Russia, ran roughshod over international agreements and ignored global human rights norms. The need for new practices of inclusive and democratic multilateralism was clear, and civil society used the opportunity of the 75^th anniversary of the United Nations to call for the opening up of international institutions to people’s participation.

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INTERNATIONAL

MARÍA EMILIA BERAZATEGUI: "Civil society is treated as a second-class partner; its recommendations often go unheard"

INTERNATIONAL

JOJO MEHTA: "Perpetrators of environmental destruction should be prosecuted just like war criminals are"

INTERNATIONAL

LAURA O'BRIEN: "Moving forward, the UN should continue to provide access through accessible virtual platforms"

INTERNATIONAL

KEITH BEST: "Civil society needs to be the conscience of the global community"

INTERNATIONAL

ANONYMOUS: "The COVID-19 pandemic showed that multilateral institutions are essential"

INTERNATIONAL

DANIEL HÖGSTA: "All governments agree – at least nominally - that a world without nuclear weapons is a desirable goal; it’s time to hold them to their words"

INTERNATIONAL

VIVIANA KRSTICEVIC: "We are outraged at discrimination and are turning our claims into action"

INTERNATIONAL

BRIAN SCHAPIRA: "The existing human rights system must be criticised, while still being defended"

INTERNATIONAL

AMALI TOWER: "Refugees paid a heavier price during a crisis that many believed impacted on us all equally"

INTERNATIONAL

LYRIC THOMPSON: "All efforts towards gender equality must be built upon intersectionality and power-shifting"

LATIN AMERICA

MARCOS ORELLANA: "Escazú: A milestone on the road to ending Latin America’s environmental conflicts"

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