Redrafted Title: Significant Revision of the United Nations Charter: Potential for Substantial Renewal
The Second United Nations Charter: Modernizing the UN for a New Generation was presented at the 10th Edition of the Youth & Leaders Summit, with Full Professor Frédéric Ramel moderating the event. This project, led by the Global Governance Forum, aims to reform and update the United Nations system to better address 21st-century global challenges.
The Charter proposes significant institutional reform and new governance mechanisms, such as an Earth System Council as a fourth pillar of the UN to address planetary governance alongside peace, security, and economic issues.
During the event, a team of PSIA (Paris School of International Affairs) students engaged in the dialogue, contributing fresh perspectives as part of shaping this modernization initiative. Their proposals reflected a desire for a more responsive, inclusive, and effective UN system.
Andras Szelényi, Manuel Campos Lago, Haley Vandall, Sara Vicinanza, Nana El Kory, Dzhari Chauvet, Chloé Titaud, Ana Luisa Chartier, and Mara Catalina Ciu were among the PSIA students who presented their reactions to the proposed "Second United Nations Charter." While specific details of their interventions are not exhaustively documented, their involvement in such panels suggests an emphasis on multi-stakeholder engagement and innovative ideas that complement the expert-driven drafting process led by the Global Governance Forum.
All speakers and PSIA students agreed that the UN Charter needs to be reformed. A debate on "Do we still need the UN?" was also held during the event, highlighting the urgency and importance of this modernization initiative.
Dr Augusto Lopez-Carlos, the Executive Director and Chair of the Global Governance Forum, presented the project. A team of experts has already started working on the reform of the UN Charter, with the hope of creating a more effective, problem-solving organization that can manage crises such as poverty, inequality, and insecurity, making it fit for today’s world rather than functioning as an ineffective background institution.
In summary, the Second UN Charter offers a comprehensive blueprint for modernizing the UN, including institutional reform and new governance mechanisms like the Earth System Council. It aims to turn the UN into a proactive crisis-management system for today’s complex global challenges. The involvement of PSIA students in the dialogue underscores the importance of engaging the next generation in shaping the future of global governance.
The Second UN Charter's focus on education and self-development is evident in the participation of PSIA students during the Youth & Leaders Summit, contributing to the modernization initiative by offering fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. This collaboration highlights the importance of engaging the next generation in shaping the future of global governance, ensuring a more responsive, inclusive, and effective UN system.
