There are days when watching the news feels unbearable. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine rages on with no end in sight. Diplomatic efforts falter, and the violence continues to escalate by day and by night. Meanwhile, the armed conflict between Iran and Israel — with U.S. involvement — is raising not only international alarm but also critical legal questions. What still counts as self-defence? When does it become an illegal war of aggression? Or have these questions lost their relevance altogether in 2025?
Peace, security, disarmament. Friendship among nations. Human rights through international cooperation. These are the founding goals of the United Nations. And global cooperation is more needed now than ever. But the world’s most powerful states are eroding the UN’s financial foundation. The U.S., China, and Russia collectively owe the UN more than $2 billion. This isn’t a side issue — it undermines the very institution meant to protect peace, prevent crises, and safeguard people across the globe.
In this growing crisis, we — global citizens — are often left on the sidelines: affected, yet powerless. While global challenges intensify, the UN struggles with budget shortfalls. Promised reforms, like Secretary-General António Guterres’ UN80 initiative, aim to make international cooperation more efficient. But real progress demands more than procedural tweaks — it requires closing the gap between global institutions and the people they serve.
That’s where we come in.
Our new policy paper, "Global Citizens’ Assemblies: Pathways for the UN – Principles, Design, and Implementation", outlines how randomly selected citizens from across the globe can meaningfully contribute to international decision-making. Structured, respectful, and diverse deliberation on global issues can produce thoughtful recommendations — ones that reach and influence policymakers.
Our proposal is pragmatic and legally feasible: a permanent framework under Article 22 of the UN Charter, enabling citizen assemblies to be convened as needed. This wouldn’t just establish standards and build institutional knowledge — it would create real, democratic participation.
Because trust in international politics doesn’t come from slogans or reform packages. It grows when people feel heard.
Global citizens’ assemblies are not a silver bullet. But they offer something that today’s politics too often lacks: a space for empathy, reflection, and respectful discussion despite divisions. They show that democracy beyond the nation-state is not only possible — but necessary, if we dare to reimagine it.
UN80 shouldn’t just become more efficient. It should make us, the people, part of the process — not just spectators on the sidelines.
Caroline Vernaillen
Lead Global Policy & Advocacy
Democracy International e.V
Topic Author
