“The era of unilateralism is over,” exclaimed Representative Bill Delahunt (D-MA) during the conference to launch the bi-partisan American Engagement Caucus at 10:00am on Thursday, January 21.  

The conference was led by the caucus’ founding members, Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Representative Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-LA), and was complimented by speeches from former UN Ambassador and current President of the Connect US Fund Nancy Soderberg, InterAction’s Lindsay Coats, and Representative Bill Delahunt.  Representative Carnahan opened the conference by pointing out the challenges of living in a global society and stating that an isolated United States would leave the country desolated with military, economic, and humanitarian problems. 

Carnahan reiterated the importance of understanding our global partners and enemies while working multilaterally for America’s best interest.  He made sure to explain that one of the objectives behind the engagement is to create a “smart power” strategy to encompass what Defense Secretary Robert Gates described as, “…military success is not sufficient to win: economic development, institution-building and the rule of law. . . along with security, are essential ingredients for success.”    Smart power as a blend of military strength and creative diplomacy can relieve our security issues as well as reinforce our international image. Subsequently, Representative Carnahan used a quote from President Truman to exemplify an overarching goal of the Caucus by stating,

“It is understanding that gives us an ability to have peace. When we understand the other fellow's viewpoint, and he understands ours, then we can sit down and work out our differences.”

Furthermore, Representative Cao discussed the purpose of this Caucus is to alleviate the threats of terrorism, nuclear proliferation, genocide, and poverty while expanding trade in international markets through multilateral work.   He explained that the Caucus will work through a bi-partisan effort to deliberate the benefits and challenges of multilateral cooperation.  Representative Cao also mentioned the example of the multilateral effort to bring humanitarian aid to Haiti, and how this will serve as a model for multilateral collaboration in the future.

Finally, Representative Bill Delahunt provided the conference with more insight on the importance of the Caucus by stating that we have “no option” but to work multilaterally with our global neighbors.  He voiced the concern that unilateralism in today’s world can only hurt the United States’ security, economy, and humanitarian efforts.  Also, he explained that through multilateral work an understanding can develop within our global partners to realize our power is “predicated from a moral authority.”   Each dignitary spoke with integrity and realized the importance of America’s multilateral cooperation in this global society.  With peace and prosperity as its main goal, this Caucus will be an extraordinary compliment to Citizens for Global Solutions and other organizations.  Citizens for Global Solutions CEO Don Kraus said this of the new Caucus,

“Citizens for Global Solutions is thrilled that Representatives Carnahan and Cao are establishing this venue for members of Congress to discuss our world’s most pressing concerns.  From climate change to genocide we increasingly face challenges that no nation, no matter how powerful can solve alone.  Our members across the nation are excited that their representatives will now have an opportunity to build bipartisan consensus on how the United States can best address these issues in a cooperative fashion.”

Don also hinted to hill staff that membership in the American Engagement Caucus will be rewarded with extra credit on the upcoming Congressional report card.  Along with CGS, other organizations are excited about the possibilities that this new Caucus provides. 

Peter Yeo, Executive Director of the Better World Campaign, said:

“At such a critical time in U.S. foreign policy, the American Engagement Caucus is a great way for Congress to work on issues where cooperation is better than going it alone.  As we see the world working together in the relief efforts in Haiti, it is apparent how important U.S. collaboration can be in strengthening American national security and foreign policy interests. We look forward to working with Congressman Carnahan, Congressman Cao, and all of the other members of the Caucus in the future.”

Through the continued efforts of organizations like these and the new American Engagement Caucus, the United States can further work on behalf of all humanity to advance the issues that affect the world.  Representatives Carnahan and Cao explained through an Op-ed piece in the The Hill that

“Historically, America has been the most respected nation in the world because of our commitment to working with all countries on behalf of freedom, peace, and other common objectives.” 

Now, with this Caucus there is greater hope that the United States can further its historic efforts for the betterment of mankind.

The new American Engagement Caucus will officially launch tomorrow, Thursday January 21, 2010 at 10:00 am in the Rayburn House Office Building Room 2200.  The Caucus was formed to foster the development of strategies in which to engage other nations.   In an increasingly globalized world, the United States cannot expect to unilaterally tackle the many challenges present today, such as terrorism and climate change.  The Caucus will analyze potential multilateral approaches to global issues, working to engage both formal governmental institutions and international organizations.  One of the primary objectives of the body is to review the role the United States currently plays in regional and international institutions such as the European Union and the United Nations.  

The two Congressmen spearheading the American Engagement Caucus are Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Congressman Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-LA).  They have stressed the importance of the formation of such a governmental body, stating, “Our security, our economic future, and safeguarding the world’s environment all depend on engagement.”  The American Engagement Caucus is the first to explicitly evaluate ways in which to improve and strengthen U.S. partnerships amongst nations.  

Citizens for Global Solutions, the Better World Campaign, and the United Nations Association of the United States of America support the efforts of Congressmen Carnahan and Cao.  CGS encourages members and interested individuals alike to attend the Launch party to be held tomorrow.  To RSVP, please e-mail Dana Proctor of the United Nations Foundation at dproctor@unfoundation.org with your name and organizational affiliation.

On January 20th, 2010, Ms Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi of Argentina and Ms Kuniko Ozaki of Japan will make a solemn undertaking in open court in The Hague to exercise their functions impartially and conscientiously. Later in the day a plenary will be held in which the new judges will be assigned to the judicial divisions. 

The International Criminal Court, The Hague

After the passing of Judge Fumiko Saiga of Japan and the resignation of Mr. Mohamed Shahabuddeen, the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute (ASP) held elections to fill the judicial vacancies during the ASP’s eighth session.

The eighth session of the ASP, which met in November of last year, was the first ICC meeting attended by the US since September 2001.  State Department Legal Adviser Harold Koh and Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues Stephen Rapp led the US delegation.

CLICK HERE to view the live broadcast of the ceremony from the ICC website.  (Video clips of the ceremony will also be available on the ICC website from 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.)

To learn more about the ICC CLICK HERE

The Lubanga trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague resumed on January 7th.  Thomas Lubanga is the alleged leader of the Union des Patriotes Congolais (UPS) militia which was involved in the Ituri region conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2002-2003. The ICC investigation into the situation in Ituri has also led to arrest warrants for Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui who are both in ICC custody, and Bosco Ntaganda who remains at large.

UN News Center

Lubanga has pleaded not guilty to the three war crimes charges against him.  The charges include: the enlistment and conscription of children under the age of 15 years and using them to participate actively in hostilities.  Lubanga was the first suspect to be arrested and transferred to the ICC where he currently remains in custody as the trial continues.  The prosecution finished presenting their case on July 14, 2009 after calling 28 witnesses over 74 days of hearings.  The defense will call around 30 witnesses and the proceedings are expected to last several months.

The use of child soldiers has been a particular focus of this case.  On January 7th, upon request of the judges, Trial Chamber I began to hear the testimony of Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Children and Armed Conflict.  Coomaraswamy stated that the Court should see children as "a special category, creating a framework that protects their vulnerability." She told the Court that children under 15, have "an under-developed notion of death," and for that reason it is particularly abusive to use children in combat situations.   She said "[c]hildren are easily exploited by those kinds of imageries of romantic death and heroic death" and urged the Court to regard evidence that suggests that child soldiers had "volunteered" to fight with skepticism. Coomaraswamy also stated that "[a]ny framework for protection of children in wartime and accountability of those who use them...must include girls…Girls play multiple roles in conflict, including combat...but [there is] also sexual slavery…we need to draw attention to the roles girls play…in every context."

Interestingly, Coomaraswamy added that the Court’s willingness to prosecute those who conscript child soldiers has led to a situation where several armed groups are approaching the UN to negotiate plans for the release of child soldiers.  She stated that, "most recently in Nepal…the release of 3,000 children is about to begin today."

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is the first permanent, treaty based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. To learn more about the ICC CLICK HERE.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that “three million people — about a third of Haiti’s population — had been affected” by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday. International aid groups have estimated the death toll to be in the tens of thousands.

Juan Barreto/Agence France-Presse — Getty Image

Medical supplies have been highlighted as particularly crucial in the effort to save lives in a country which was already severely stretched for medical resources before the earthquake.  Tammam Aloudat, an emergencies specialist at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Societies in Geneva stated that "[m]any other quakes have shown us very clearly that of people who suffer injuries and die as a result, most deaths occur within the first 72 hours."

President Obama remarked this morning on U.S. efforts to provide aid.  He noted the practical challenges that the aid effort faces, such as, communication difficulties and Haiti’s damaged main port and roads.  Obama said that rescue and relief workers are currently on the ground and a team worked throughout the night “to identify priority areas for assistance, and shared the results of that review throughout the United States government, and with international partners who are also sending support.” He also committed an immediate investment of $100 million to support U.S. relief efforts

Obama stated:  “We will partner with the United Nations and its dedicated personnel and peacekeepers, especially those from Brazil, who are already on the ground due to their outstanding peacekeeping efforts there.  And I want to say that our hearts go out to the United Nations, which has experienced one of the greatest losses in its history.  We have no doubt that we can carry on the work that was done by so many of the U.N. effort that have been lost, and we see that their legacy is Haiti's hope for the future.”  

Obama’s concluding remarks were directed to the people of Haiti: “we say clearly, and with conviction, you will not be forsaken; you will not be forgotten.  In this, your hour of greatest need, America stands with you.  The world stands with you…So today, you must know that help is arriving -- much, much more help is on the way.”

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It is axiomatic that “global problems require global solutions.”  International institutions have been created to resolve a whole range of practical problems, including the issues created by international air travel and, specifically, screening passengers and luggage for explosives. 

In reaction to the attempted detonation of an explosive device on a flight landing in Detroit on Christmas Day, the United States has unilaterally imposed additional screening requirements on certain travelers.  As a short-term emergency measure, there may be some merit in this.  In the heat of the moment, we should not lose sight of the fact that America’s ultimate security in screening international passengers rests on international cooperation.

The United States participates in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an international body that establishes and regularly updates security requirements for international air travel.  To the extent that evaluations now conclude that additional of different screening requirements should be imposed, the U.S. should work within the framework of the ICAO to make these the new standard. 

Security in international travel cannot be effectively imposed by one nation alone, not even a nation as powerful as the United States.  First of all, whatever standards we want to achieve, they will be more effectively and consistently achieved through international cooperation.  In addition, the unilateral imposition of travel security standards runs the risk of opening up a something like a “trade war” in security standards.  If more stringent security standards for the U.S. are effective, they will make other nations fear that their standards are too lax, spurring them to ratchet up their standards as well, perhaps even more.  Other nations may try to unilaterally impose security requirements that the United States cannot or does not desire to match.  A cycle in which different countries impose increasing and increasingly inconsistent standards is not good for anyone.  Inconsistencies in standards and inconsistencies in the timing of imposing new standards open opportunities to those who would threaten the security of travel.

Security in international air travel is another example of a circumstance where the long-term best interests of the United States are met through international cooperation in global institutions.

This is a guest blog post from Citizens for Global Solutions member James Nelson.

Modest but meaningful progress was made at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Copenhagen. It was exciting to participate in a small way in one of the most momentous and far-reaching issues of our time. I tried to contribute using my experience in business, civic organizations and horticultural activities.  Most of all I tried to carefully listen learn and discern a response to these challenges.

The conference fell short of its goal of producing a world-wide binding treaty to limit green house gases but it did produce emission pledges by all major developed countries including for the first time the United States and China. Key elements of the Copenhagen Accord include overarching goals, fresh commitments of funding and new incentives to obtain the greatest impact on reducing greenhouse gases. New mechanisms for standard measurement and verification were strongly debated and only loosely agreed among major countries fearful of giving up sovereignty.

The paramount goal is to limit temperature increases of the earth’s surface by 2 degrees Celsius. This agreement calls for specific commitments from individual countries.  Furthermore, there must be standard reporting and independent verification of each countries activity.  Funding was a contentious issue. In the end $30 billion was approved for the first 3 years and a goal was established to mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020.

At Klimaforum o9, the People Climate Summit, civil society groups conducted a conference in parallel with the government deliberations.  Here diverse groups from around the world manifested the unfolding climate change drama with compelling exhibits, publications and seminars. It was the UN Association of Denmark, part of the World Federalist Movement that provided the human face for the somber climate models and contentious policy debates.

Over several years, the Danish group has worked with UN groups from Brazil, India, Tanzania, Finland etc to assure that the voices of marginalized people were heard. They produced compelling panel discussions on the personal impacts of climate change. These long term changes extend far beyond normal patterns in variability in temperatures, frequency and intensity of rainfall.  We learned these changes can be dangerous especially to poor nations or regions were food production is impacted, creating instability and ultimately triggering a migration of “climate refugees”.

At this conference it was my opportunity to propose a piece of the climate jigsaw solution puzzle. My grassroots solution to climate change focused on the unique properties of deep rooted native plants, to filter contaminants in water, prevent erosion, to counter the tendency to flood, to provide homes for wildlife and pollinators and especially the capability to sequester carbon deep in the soil.  My presentation also focused on grassroots organizations that actively promote the regeneration of native plants and cultivate the future generations of people to value and expand that tradition. Many in the audience felt that my contribution was very applicable to developing countries with degraded landscape and underutilized workers.

Many leaders believe that we are heading for a serious climate issue unless we align economic activities with natural processes. If the political leaders were deciding “what” we must do to preclude severe climate problems, it was business leaders that illustrated “how” we are going to going to dramatically improve efficiency in a carbon constrained world.  Midway through the conference, during a pause in the negotiations, the business community hosted “Bright Green” where 170 leading clean-tech companies showcased innovative technologies: windmills, smart electric grids, biocatalysts for new fuels and many innovative carbon sparing technologies. Just as the revolution in information technologies fueled the growth of industry and jobs in the current generation, the transformation to a less intensive/energy economy could propel growth for the next generation.

Climate change has strong but differential effect on people within and between countries and regions and between this generation and future generations. We need to continue to strongly advocate for strong legally binding climate treaties. We need to insist that agreements contain effective international organizations capable of orchestrating global and enforcing solutions. A strong legal framework will give businesses the regulatory certainty to make investments in new jobs and technologies to make the needed improvements.

We need to renew our commitments to Citizens for Global Solutions and other vital civic organizations to assure that the voices of those least capable of coping with climate change can be heard and answered.

Global Family Day Greetings from CEO Don Kraus and his family:

Looking for an icebreaker at your next holiday dinner party? How about asking guests what the United States has in common with Sudan, Somalia, Iran, Nauru, Palau, and Tonga? It's not weather or cuisine, and it certainly isn't number of Starbucks; it's the fact that none of these countries have ratified the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (also known as CEDAW). CEDAW came into force on December 18, 1979 which is 30 years ago today and then President of the United States Jimmy Carter signed the Convention. Even today, as the rights of women around the world and in the United States suffer, the United States has not ratified the treaty.

Trafficking in women, maternal mortality, rape as a weapon of war, bride burning, acid burning, and female infanticide are a few of the many issues that plague the women of the world every day, yet these issues barely make waves on the world agenda. One way to get these problems noticed is to get the United States to ratify CEDAW. This is your chance to help in this effort. Click here to get started.