New Human Rights Council is a Major Step Forward
May 10, 2006 -- Citizens for Global Solutions applauded the election of the new Human Rights Council at the United Nations as a substantial improvement over the old U.N. Commission on Human Rights
press_room/press_releases/press_releases06/hrc_elections.html">+ READ MORE

UN Central Emergency Response Fund Launched
March 27, 2006 -- Recognizing the need for an effective way to distribute humanitarian aid, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) was launched in March 2006 at the United Nations. It supports swift relief to victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts.
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United Nations Democracy Fund Inaugurated
March 6, 2006 -- Today marked an important day for the United Nations and members of the international community seeking to promote democracy and freedom around the world. On this day, the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) initiated its work with an Advisory Board meeting chaired by Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
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Human Rights Organizations Send Letter to Secretary Rice
March 2, 2006 -- Citizens for Global Solutions joined leading human rights and democracy organizations to urge the United States to support the new Human Rights Council (HRC), which would replace the discredited Commission on Human Rights.
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Latest Human Rights Council Draft Makes Only Small Steps to Reform
February 23, 2006 -- The latest draft of the Human Rights Council resolution makes progress and should be adopted, but will require further engagement from the U.S. and other countries to ensure that the council truly defends human rights.
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UN Makes Progress on Reforms
January 5, 2006 -- As the new year begins, a potential disaster involving the UN's budget is averted and the UN completes work on a number of crucial reform proposals called for by the Bush Administration.

+READ MORE: Budget Battle

+READ MORE: Ethics and Oversight Reforms

+READ MORE: Human Rights Council

UN Security Council Creates Peacebuilding Commission
December 15, 2005 -- The UN Security Council passed an historic resolution establishing the Peacebuilding Commission.

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Budgets, Bolton, and UN Reform: Looking Forward to 2006
December 15, 2005 -- With a potential crisis looming over the UN budget and the reform process, Citizens for Global Solutions analyzes the opportunities and perils of the current negotiations.  
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U.S. Ratifies UN Protocol on Human Trafficking
November 21, 2005 -- Earlier this month the United States welcomed
an opportunity for global cooperation and became the 95th country to ratify the United Nations protocol on human trafficking. The U.S. has set an example for remaining nations to join and speak up for the women and children whose voices have been suppressed.
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UN is Central to  Investigating Syria’s Part in Hariri Killing
November 10, 2005 -- Since the tragic assassination of Rafik Hariri in February, the United Nations has played a vital role in the investigation.  This task would not have been able to be carried out alone by Lebanon, the United States, the European Union or the Arab League due to the lack of capacity or objectivity required for such a case. On October 31, 2005, the UN Security Council unanimously voted on a resolution, which obliges Syria’s full-fledged cooperation with the investigation.
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Kofi Annan Speaks at Columbia University
October 17, 2005 -- The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan speaks at Columbia University about the 2005 World Summit highlighting the successes and letdowns of the meeting. 
+READ THE SPEECH
 

UN Plays Critical Role in Hurricane Relief
October 13, 2005 -- The international contribution to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort has been incredible.  With over 155 countries and international institutions offering financial assistance as well as donations of  essential supplies, the UN is best equipped in coordinating  and executing the  relief efforts.  No other institution has the capacity and experience to deal with disasters on such a large scale.   
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Summing the Summit
September 19, 2005 -- Don Kraus, Executive Vice President of Citizens for Global Solutions, was in New York during the World Summit 2005 and has provided an on-the-ground analysis of the events. 
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UN releases latest draft outcome document
August 5, 2005 -- The outcome document is the result of talks and conferences over the past several years on how to make the United Nations an effective institution.  It presents what the international community should sign onto at the World Summit 2005 in September.
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Bush Installs Bolton Without Senate Approval
August 4, 2005 -- Using a maneuver generally reserved for judges and lower-level officials, President Bush installed John Bolton as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations on August 1.  Mr. Bolton goes to New York as the first-ever UN Ambassador without Senate confirmation.
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G8 to Discuss International Finance Facility
June 25, 2005 -- The institution, first proposed in 2003, would manipulate international financial markets to "frontload" aid.
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Gingrich-Mitchell Panel on UN Reform

June 15, 2005 -- In December 2004, Congress called for a 12-member bipartisan taskforce, headed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, to review prospects for reform of the United Nations. The report of the Taskforce, "American Interests and UN Reform," is a balanced and thoughtful analysis of the UN's current challenges and presents constructive recommendations.
+ READ THE SUMMARY OF THE REPORT

+ READ THE FULL REPORT

U.S. Will Support the Secretary-General's Plan to Reform the Commission on Human Rights
May 4, 2005 -- The United States has been one of the most vocal critics of the Commission on Human Rights and has called for reform of the organization.
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2005 Commission on Human Rights Meeting Highlights Well-Known Problems
May 3, 2005 -- Much of the pre-meeting criticism of the Commission was justified. For example, the human rights situations in Chechnya and the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities in China were never debated. However, there were also some modest achievements.
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Factsheet: UN Oil-for-Food Program
April 25, 2004 -- Citizens for Global Solutions provides a detailed analysis of the Oil-for-Food program and the high-level inquiry.
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World Opinion on UN Security Council expansion
March 22, 2005 -- A recent poll by BBC World Service that surveyed 23 countries revealed that a broad majority of people around the world support the addition of new permanent members to the Security Council.
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Secretary General’s “In Larger Freedom” Provides an Opportunity Not To Be Missed
March 21, 2005 -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan released his report, “In Larger Freedom,” setting the agenda for the September 2005 UN Summit, and providing institutional and policy recommendations for world leaders. The report also presents a broad, new vision of collective security and sets out clear changes that need to be made to ensure that the UN can effectively and efficiently meet the challenges of the 21st century. 
+ READ MORE

+ READ THE FULL REPORT I HTML I PDF FORMAT

+ READ THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (PDF FORMAT)

Citizens for Global Solutions Welcomes The United Nations Emergency Peace Service Legislation
March 17, 2005 -- Citizens for Global Solutions enthusiastically welcomes Representatives Albert Wynn (D-MD) and James Leach’s (R-IA) resolution calling for the creation of The United Nations Emergency Peace Service (UNEPS). UNEPS is a timely and important step in providing the world community with the international emergency service it desperately needs. It is a step that we encourage Congress to support with swift passage.

+ LEARN MORE ABOUT UNEPS I PDF FORMAT

+ READ MORE ABOUT THE LEGISLATION

Bolton Nomination Threatens Relationship With UN and Allies
March 11, 2005 -- This week, President Bush nominated John R. Bolton to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Bolton has made a career out of belittling and dismissing the UN, suggesting at one point that "if the UN secretary building lost 10 stories, it wouldn't make a bit of difference."  He advocates a go-it-alone foreign policy that alienates our allies and strengthens our enemies. He has a history of rash behavior. And he has consistently put his own priorities over those of his country by refusing to obey orders. 
+ READ THE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS BRIEF PDF I HTML

Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs, Comments on the Community of Democracies
February 24, 2005 -- Over 100 governments came together in Warsaw, Poland in June 2000 to participate in meeting of to create the Community of Democracies (CD). The meeting’s final declaration launched the CD, through which member states collaborate on strengthening democratic values and institutions at home and abroad. The CD has since met in Seoul, Korea in 2002, and will meet in Santiago, Chile in April 28-30, 2005 at which foreign ministers from over 100 countries will gather to identify how they can work together to promote democracy regionally and globally.
+ READ FULL TEXT OF INTERVIEW

New USIP Task Force on UN Reform headed by Mitchell
and Gingrich

February 22, 2005 -- In the FY2005 omnibus appropriations bill, the U.S. Congress mandated a task force to evaluate how the institution is fulfilling the goals set by the UN Charter, and to offer recommendations on how the United States can play a bigger role, taking into account primarily American interests and responsibilities. The US Institute of Peace will support the task force by coordinating the participation of policy organizations such as the American Enterprise Institute, the Brookings Institution, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Heritage Foundation, and the Hoover Institution.

+ READ ABOUT THE USIP TASK FORCE

2005 Commission on Human Rights Meeting Unlikely to Address Most Serious Human Rights Issues

February 15, 2005 -- The United Nations Commission on Human Rights (CHR) recently released details about the 2005 annual meeting. Sadly, while it is widely agreed that the CHR is in desperate need of reform, the agenda and composition of the 2005 meeting indicate that this year’s meeting will not differ substantially from last year's.

+ READ ABOUT COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS 2005 MEETING

U.S. Once Again Asleep at the UN Wheel
January 24, 2004 -- There will be a largely unnoticed absence in the parade of cabinet nominees scheduled to receive their ritual Senate confirmation grilling this month – the U.S. Ambassador to the UN. Under the Clinton administration, the United Nations ambassador was a member of the cabinet, as well as in previous administrations.
+ FULL STORY ON U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UN

UN Report Calls for Cut in World Poverty by 2015
January 24, 2004 -- On January 17 the Millennium Project presented a final 3,000 page report to Secretary-General Kofi Annan that recommends how the UN should proceed in order to achieve its ultimate goal of decreasing global poverty in half by 2015.
+ FULL STORY ON THE MILLENNIUM PROJECT REPORT

Bolton's Departure May Signal Shift in U.S. Diplomacy
January 12, 2005 -- According to a January 11 article in The Boston Globe, John Bolton will not be continuing as the Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs in the second Bush administration. 
+ FULL STORY ON BOLTON'S RESIGNATION

Danforth Resigns as Ambassador to U.N.

December 3, 2004 -- Citing a desire to spend more time with his wife, the Ambassador has decided to leave just seven months after his appointment.

+ FULL STORY ON AMBASSADOR DANFORTH'S RESIGNATION

UN Releases Report of High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change
December 2, 2004 -- Today, a blue-ribbon UN panel released its long awaited report on reforming the UN for the 21st Century.  Entitled “A More Secure World: Our Shared Responsibility,” the report suggests a host of reforms designed to update the UN to face the threats and challenges posed by today’s world: poverty, infectious diseases, armed conflicts (both between states and within states), weapons of mass destruction, terrorism and organized international crime rings.
+ HIGH LEVEL PANEL REPORT RESOURCE PAGE

UN Commission on Human Rights
November 29, 2004 -- Citizens for Global Solutions provides detailed analysis of the structure and organization of the Commission on Human Rights and offers some recommendations for how to improve its effectiveness.
+ ANALYSIS OF UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

UN Report on Threats Challenges and Change Due Soon
October 26, 2004 -- In early December, Secretary-General Kofi Annan is due to release the Report of the High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change.  The Report is expected to form the core of the Secretary-General’s agenda for the 60th Anniversary General Assembly and summits in 2005.
+ READ MORE

Defining Terrorism
October 8, 2004 -- After having passed several resolutions condemning terrorism during the past four years, none of which defined the term, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted, on October 8th, a definition. It outlaws all attacks on civilians with the purpose of instilling fear in the population and thus coercing the political authorities or undermining the stability of the state.
+ READ MORE

UN Funding Update
September 29, 2004 -- When President Bush first took office he was able to end years of the United States being derided as a “deadbeat” at the United Nations. In 2001 he made the final arrears payments of the “Helms-Biden” plan, which paid back dues to the UN in return for a lower U.S. assessment rate and a laundry list of managerial reforms. Now it looks like the U.S. is once again going in debt with the UN and other international institutions.
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Secretary General releases report on the Cardoso Panel
September 24, 2004
The Secretary General has completed his report on the findings of the Cardoso Panel, a study of the role of civil society in the UN. In his address to the General Assembly in October, he will express his broad approval of the Panel’s proposals and ask that they be taken into strong consideration.
+ READ MORE      

Annan Challenges World Leaders
September 21, 2004 -- Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations, and President George Bush spoke to the UN General Assembly. Although President Bush’s speech received more media coverage in the United States, it will be the Secretary General’s warning to world leaders that will most likely be recalled by historians.
+ READ MORE
+ TEXT OF THE SPEECH

President Speaks to the United Nations General Assembly United Nations Headquarters
September 21, 2004 -- PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. Secretary General, Mr. President, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen: Thank you for the honor of addressing this General Assembly. The American people respect the idealism that gave life to this organization. And we respect the men and women of the U.N., who stand for peace and human rights in every part of the world. Welcome to New York City, and welcome to the United States of America.
+ READ MORE

Gareth Evans, Member of the UN High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change Discussed the Panel's Upcoming Report in D.C.
September 20, 2004 --  Mr. Evans was the first member of the High Level Panel to publicly discuss its work in Washington, DC. He was introduced by Citizens for Global Solutions President and CEO, Charles J. Brown, and other panelist speaking were, Stewart Patrick, U.S. State Department Policy Planning Staff, Thomas J. Leney, Director of Programs, UN Foundation and Abiodun Williams, Head of Strategic Planning, Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General.
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UN High Level Panel Nears Agreement on Security Council Makeup and Humanitarian Intervention
The Secretary General’s High Level Panel on 'Threats, Challenges, and Change' is making progress on difficult questions like UN Security Council reform and humanitarian intervention. A new proposal appears to have garnered support among the High Level Panel members, indicating successful movement towards a first draft of the report to be completed by September.
+ READ MORE

Former Senator, John Danforth appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
June 24, 2004 -- The Senate unanimously confirmed the appointment of former Senator John Danforth and he was sworn in on July 1, 2004. One of Amb. Danforth's  immediate challenges will be securing additional funding for new UN peacekeeping operations, including the proposed mission in the Sudan.
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The Panel of Eminent Persons on Civil Society and UN Relationships recommend reform in the relationship between the UN and Civil Society
June 11, 2004 -- After a year long investigation into the relationship between the UN and various civil society actors, the Panel of Eminent Persons on Civil Society-UN Relations compiled a report recommending several reforms of UN procedure. The Secretary General presented this report before the General Assembly on June 11, 2004 expressing his intention to bring the topic back to the body in the fall after further research by the Secretariat.
+ READ MORE
+ THE FULL REPORT (PDF)

Former Senator Danforth Nominated as Next UN Ambassador
June 4, 2004 -- President Bush nominated Senator John Danforth as the next Ambassador to the UN.  While it is likely the Senate will confirm him, Citizens for Global Solutions has strong concerns about his anti-UN voting record in the Senate.
+ READ MORE
+ EXCERPTS FROM THE WASHINGTON POST

Update on the Work of the UN Panel
May 28, 2004 -- The Secretary General's high level panel on Threats, Challenges and Change has already met 3 times and will meet again in July and September. It has divided its work into six policy "baskets" and arrived at some initial consensus points.
+ READ MORE
 

International Monetary Fund Director Resignation Highlights Need for Reform
April 16, 2004 -- Internal memo questions group’s legitimacy; criticizes lack of transparency, democracy, and accountability.
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New Initiative on UN and Global Security
April 12, 2004 -- The United Nations Foundation launched a new international initiative to inform and enlarge the debate on the nature of new global threats and the future of the UN and other international institutions. Citizens for Global Solutions urges you to read and comment on briefing papers by international experts or contribute your own paper or comment to the international debate.
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State Authorization Bill Stalled in Senate?
March 29, 2004 -- Plus, fate of House provisions for increased State Department capacity to conduct multilateral negotiations and a U.N. democracy group unclear.
+ READ MORE

Citizens for Global Solutions Helps Restore International Affairs Funding
March 13, 2004 -- Citizens for Global Solutions played a key role in rallying to support a successful amendment to the Senate Budget resolution that restored $1.1 billion in funding to the International Affairs Budget.
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Funding: Bush ’05 Budget Request 
February 2004 -- Under-funds child health, AIDS assistance, UN peacekeeping and development aid.
+ READ MORE

Assistant Secretary of State Addresses Citizens for Global Solutions and Oxfam Retreat on Global Democracy
December 5, 2003 -- Assistant Secretary of State Kim R. Holmes addressed a retreat of NGO leaders convened by Oxfam America and Citizens for Global Solutions.
+ Text of Secretary Holmes’ Speech
+ Retreat: The Challenge of Global Democracy

Secretary General announces High Level Panel on UN Reform
September 23, 2003 -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan challenged the member states of the UN take “a hard look at fundamental policy issues, and at the structural changes that may be needed in order to strengthen them.” He announced the creation of a high-level panel to review the peace and security challenges facing the UN in the next century and make recommendations.
+ READ MORE