Images of the Earth from space reveal it to be a fragile and isolated planet adrift in a vast and, as far as we can judge, uncaring universe. The continued survival and well-being of humanity on this planet is likely to depend on developing global political institutions commensurate with this reality. In particular, strengthened institutions of global governance will be required to deal effectively with planetary-scale existential threats, including climate change, biodiversity loss, endemic warfare, and the ever-present threat of nuclear annihilation, that existing sovereign nation-states appear unable to address. On the horizon, issues of global governance will also arise in the context of future space exploration and human interactions with other planets. This is therefore an appropriate time to consider alternative visions of global governance, and to consider whether the building of cosmopolitan political institutions would better enable humanity to address the global challenges of the twenty-first century.

The meeting has been organised by the School of Natural Sciences in association with Birkbeck’s Centre for the Study of Internationalism. It aims to connect academics working in the field of international relations with civil society organisations working for improved global governance, as well as young people able to advance these studies into the next generation. It will discuss the desirability and practicality of planetary governance, and the range of options that have been proposed. For example, can sovereign nation-states solve the range of emerging global-scale existential problems facing humanity? Is the United Nations an effective organisation for addressing planetary-scale problems, or will UN reform be necessary? If so, how should the UN be reformed? Would the addition of a Parliamentary Assembly be appropriate as a means of representing the world’s citizens in global decisions? Ultimately, will a federal world government be necessary or desirable?

Further details, including confirmed speakers and the meeting programme can be found here.

Contact name: Ian Crawford

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