Lesson 5: CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
The world has no global government and global authority. There are however, political
and economic bodies operating worldwide that not all people are aware of. Thus, what the world
has is the idea of global governance. This term refers to domestic institutions and governments
on how large-scale problems and public-policy issues are being solved at a global level. It
involves a range of actors including states, national and regional bodies that have the
eagerness and commitment to deal with a particular challenge. This lesson will focus primarily
on the United Nations (UN) as the most prominent intergovernmental organization today as well
as the challenges of the twenty-first century governance.
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson you are expected to:
1. Identify the roles and functions of the United Nations (UN)
2. Describe the challenges of global governance in the 21st century; and
3. Create a poster that depicts the participation of the Philippines in the global community
HELPFUL POINTS
Today, global governance makes world affairs systematic, secured and prescribed.
Weiss & Thakur (2014) describe global governance as the totality of norms, laws, policies, and
bodies that define, comprise, and facilitate transnational relations between citizens, states,
cultures, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. Rules and norms put
everything in order. Though global governance is rule-based, it has no central authority.
However, there are systems for international relationships that bind the states, people and
society together. Since the United Nations (UN) has the most number of members among the
established global systems, this section discusses its organs, roles and functions.
The six organs of the United Nations (UN)
General Assembly is the central deliberative and the only organ where all member-
states have equal representation in discussion and consideration, and policymaking
Security Council is the organ which has the commitment to preserve peace and
security.
Economic and Social Council is the main organ for cooperation, policy reviews, policy
dialogue, and advice on social, economic and environmental issues.
Trusteeship Council is the organ tasked to administer international oversight for 11
trust territories and to make sure that adequate procedures are taken for independence
and self-government.
International Court of Justice is UN’s prime judicial organ.
Secretariat is the organ tasked to execute the daily activities as assigned by the other
organs.
Aside from maintaining international peace and security and
protecting human rights, UN also carries the functions of delivering
humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development, and upholding
international law. The organization utilizes good offices, diplomacy, and
mediation. It does peacekeeping processes in countries with domestic
conflicts and peace-building tasks in countries freed from conflict, lessening
the risk of reversing into conflict and setting the ground work for sustainable peace and
development.
In order to protect human rights, UN scrutinizes situations and issues reported to them and
oversee the exercise of international human rights agreements. In delivering humanitarian aid,
UN is responsible for coordinating responses to emergencies and supports rapid humanitarian
response for people affected by natural disasters and armed conflict.
The Millennium Development Goals was set to promote sustainable development. In 2015,
this was changed into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals are the
blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. This collection of 17 global
goals covers social and economic issues including poverty, hunger, health, education, global
warming, gender equality, water sanitation, energy urbanization, environment and social justice.
Weiss and Thakur (2014), in their article titles, The United Nations Meets the Twenty-first
Century: Confronting the Challenges of Global Governance, identify challenges confronting UN
based on knowledge, norms, policy, institutions and compliance:
1. In terms of knowledge, UN is underappreciated regarding how its convening capacity and
mobilizing power are utilized to help funnel and consolidate knowledge from outside and ensure
its discussion and dissemination among governments.
2. The contrasting moral structures of social behavior in different member-states complicate the
formulation of a normative standard that can be applicable to all.
3. In formulating propositions, problems occur when only the member-states are heard. UN
belittles the helping hand of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the global public
opinion. Sometimes, recommendations are not executed.
4. Institutions can also be places where ideas are cornered and left behind. The modality and
processes for enforcing compliance with international norms and laws are not present. In fact,
some UN staff members violate, cheat, and challenge them.
Despite the establishment of global norms and international laws that nation-states
should follow, the nations states are still relevant for there will be no intergovernmental
organization without them. Also, international and multinational agreements are designed by the
states and propelled by the initiatives that they undertake. To conclude, contemporary global
governance defines political scope of globalization. Cooperation among nation-states is the only
way to reform and advance the roles and functions of interstate relationships despite real
challenges being faces by United Nations.
ACTIVITY
Create a poster that depicts the participation of the Philippines in the global community.
Then, write at least ten sentences to explain your poster. You may use a long-sized
bond paper for this activity.
Due date : March 28, 2025
REFERENCES
Brazalote, T., Leonardo, R. (2018) The Contemporary World, : C & E Publishing, Inc., ©2019
Weiss, T., Thakur, R. (2014) The United Nations Meets the Twenty-First Century: Confronting
the Challenges of Global Governance. The SAGE Handbook of Globalization
UN Logo: [Link]
