The UN Charter at 80
Those who negotiated the UN Charter, adopted it, and founded the UN organization were masters at reaching compromises across ideological divides, and they were masters in swaying public opinion in favour of the UN and their philosophy. On both scores today we lack political leadership. There is no FDR or Truman in sight! But without these two elements, political compromise and a supportive public opinion, we will not succeed in making wars a political instrument of the past. And yet, that is what the UN was founded for... Read the article to discover what’s at stake—and how we can reclaim the UN’s original mission. |
|
| ...in the meantime, we continue to collect signatures for the Call in support for the UN Charter. See here how you can add your signature, along hundreds of former UN staff members, a large number of members of the Club de Madrid and other VIPs. See also recent articles marking the UN Charter's 80th anniversary and the recording of the online event held on 26 June 2025. |
|
FOGGS next Open Consultation Monday on 14 July 2025 |
|
In this open consultation, we will examine how initiatives like China’s Belt & Road, the EU’s Global Gateway, and the U.S. Partnerships for Africa Framework are delivering large-scale infrastructure, health, and digital services—and how these projects can also serve obscure geopolitical agendas. The panel discussion will focus on how the UN should work towards real-time transparency platforms, independent review panels, and grievance mechanisms to ensure these state-led public goods-related initiatives remain truly transparent, equitable, and aligned with UN norms. The consultation will conclude with concrete recommendations and networking opportunities to build a coalition around robust UN-led oversight.
For more information on the focus of this consultation and to register to attend  bit.ly/foggs-open-consultation-mondays-10
The video recordings and summaries of all previous Open Consultations can be found here: https://www.foggs.org/foggs-open-consultation-mondays/ |
|
| FOGGS is represented at the UN's 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) held in Seville, Spain, 30 June-3 July 2025, by Executive Director Georgios Kostakos, along with other partners and associates. On the occasion of the conference, FOGGS and partners in the Global South Perspectives Network (GSPN) issued this handout, which advocates a bold shift to a new development paradigm: one that comes with its own narrative, is rooted in local capacities, focuses on political/institutional, economic and social resilience, and empowers developing countries themselves as key actors with agency in shaping their own development. |
|
Ariel Français’ European Security in the Age of Trump and Putin argues that NATO’s continued expansion along Russia’s borders and the subsequent invasion of Ukraine have profoundly shifted the balance of power in Europe, sparking a conflict that threatens the entire continent. Faced with an existential threat, the unpredictability of the United States under Trump, and Putin’s stubbornness, Western European countries have embarked on the path of an autonomous European defense. A return to peace, desirable for all, necessarily requires mutual concessions between belligerents. The author explores the possible nature of these concessions and the desirable parameters of a new, longer-term security architecture in Europe. The publication can be found here. |
|
| Francis M. O’Donnell’s World Peace: Reclaiming the United Nations and Its Ideals is a timely call to renew global commitment to the UN Charter on its 80th anniversary. Drawing from decades of experience with the UN and international diplomacy, O’Donnell urges a return to the founding principles of peace, human rights, and the rule of law. He highlights the urgency of UN reform, stronger international cooperation, and support for sustainable development. The paper can be found here. |
|
| Sudha Sreenivasa Reddy’s Judgement Day in Gaza examines the Gaza crisis as both genocide and epistemicide, targeting not only lives but the cultural memory of a people. The paper explores how the destruction of civilian infrastructure aims to erase Palestinian identity across generations. Reddy argues that global inaction constitutes structural complicity. The publication can be found here. |
|
| The role of Middle Powers in (re)balancing the Global Governance System and reviving Multilateralism and the UN |
|
| There is a growing realisation and acknowledgement that the “middle power” countries have unique agency to assist developing nations in attaining a dispensation that is fairer, more equitable and just. To this end the Global South Perspectives Network (GSPN) partnered with the Africa Think-tank Dialogue (ATD) to present a session at the ATD’s annual Africa Consultative Meeting - hosted by the Inclusive Society Institute - over the period 25 – 26 March 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. The session further explored how the middle powers’ agency could be deployed to find a new balance for the global governance system. See the session report here. |
|
Recent Articles, Podcasts & Art |
|
In the Garden of Limits: Student Visas and the Decline
of U.S. Educational Appeal
Rowan Liu, 24 June 2025 |
|
Judging student visa applications based on whether students are likely to voice dissent or be politically active would hamper the freedom of speech and assembly protected in the U.S. Constitution. It could even promote a culture where students are hesitant to engage with their peers and professors on political and social issues out of fear of having their visas revoked....
Read this article here. |
|
The Innovation vs Sustainability Paradox: The Case of AI
Pratul Malthumkar, 17 June 2025 |
|
The world is changing quickly. Generative AI and data centers are growing fast. They are meant to help with sustainability and progress. However, their energy use and material needs could actually harm global climate goals. For example, some estimates suggest that data centers in the United States could use up to 8.6% of the country’s electricity by 2035. This is mostly because of AI workloads, which can use a lot of energy depending on the task. This leads to an important research question: what does responsible and informed use of AI and related technological advances look like, and how should we govern their impact to truly support sustainability?...
Read this article here. |
|
G7 vs the World
Georgios Kostakos, 16 June 2025 |
|
The 51st summit of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized countries is taking place in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada on 15-17 June 2025. Despite the constantly diminishing part of the world’s population and GDP that these countries represent (reportedly 10% and 44% respectively), one cannot underestimate the importance of having in one place the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US, plus the EU Commission and Council Presidents....
Read this article here. |
|
TROUBLE(D) TIMES and Mother Earth
Art by Bob Haverluck, 27 June 2025 |
|
Contribute your own article to Katoikos! |
|
We invite anyone who is interested in being a part of the Katoikos community to submit articles or artistic content for publication. We are looking to provide a platform for people to raise their voice and participate in an ever-evolving discussion on how to improve the world we share.
Click here for further details. |
|
|
We want to hear from you, dear FOGGS Update Readers
We have been communicating for years, thank you for your enduring support. Time for us to listen to you too, what your profiles and interests are, and what you expect from these Updates.
Please fill out this electronic form. |
|
|
|
Comments
Post a Comment
If you are a member of XUNICEF, you can comment directly on a post. Or, send your comments to us at xunicef.news.views@gmail.com and we will publish them for you.