In 2022, the growing impacts of climate change have been felt across the globe, from prolonged drought in the Middle East and North Africa, to erratic monsoons in South Asia and record-breaking... Show moreIn 2022, the growing impacts of climate change have been felt across the globe, from prolonged drought in the Middle East and North Africa, to erratic monsoons in South Asia and record-breaking heat waves in Europe and China. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic—which reached the tragic milestone of one million deaths within the first eight months of this year—and the ongoing war in Ukraine and other violent conflicts have impeded global progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. To address these and other pressing global challenges, in his 2021 Out Common Agenda report, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a Summit of the Future to improve collective action worldwide. Among the summit’s anticipated outcomes are a Declaration on Future Generations, a Global Digital Compact, and a New Agenda for Peace. This report elaborates on the challenges, proposed major elements, and potential spoilers to be overcome by each of these global policy frameworks. It further argues that meaningful civil society engagement in the summit’s preparations can reassure all stakeholders that decisions taken in September 2023 are well-informed, enjoy broad social ownership, and generate a sense of co-responsibility in supporting their implementation. Show less
Ponzio, R.; Yusuf, N.; Larik, J.E.; Arjomand, B.; Siddiqui, M.; Zhang, J.; Durch, W. 2022
Fears of rising conflict, new COVID-19 variants, irreversible climate change, and eroding collaboration in the global economy threaten to undermine the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and... Show moreFears of rising conflict, new COVID-19 variants, irreversible climate change, and eroding collaboration in the global economy threaten to undermine the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other efforts to advance human progress. Yet, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to review and dramatically improve global tools for managing such enormous challenges, a Summit of the Future, is under serious consideration for September 2023 by the United Nations’ 193 Member States. Informed by research and policy dialogues—initially undertaken for the Albright-Gambari Commission and its follow-through, and most recently to help flesh out key proposals in the Secretary-General’s seminal report, Our Common Agenda—this report’s twenty main recommendations are intended to encourage more ambitious, forward-looking thinking and deliberation on global governance renewal and innovation in the run-up to next year’s Summit. Show less
During armed conflict, non-State armed groups (NSAGs) deprive individuals of their liberty on a regular basis. Yet, examining these activities goes beyond their mere acknowledgment. This thesis... Show moreDuring armed conflict, non-State armed groups (NSAGs) deprive individuals of their liberty on a regular basis. Yet, examining these activities goes beyond their mere acknowledgment. This thesis explores the legal regulation of NSAGs’ detention activities in non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) from a functional perspective. It does so by concentrating on NSAGs’ practices in this field, presenting and testing the hypothesis that international humanitarian law (IHL) and, on certain occasions, international human rights law (IHRL) oblige these actors not to arbitrarily deprive individuals of their liberty. Furthermore, it argues that NSAGs must have a legal basis in order to undertake these activities. By relying on a “legal pluralistic” approach of international law, that basis is to be found in those “laws” and regulations established by the groups themselves. Other options are also possible, such as the adaption of the State’s domestic law or an agreement concluded with a third party. This proposal is grounded on the “functions” required by the aforementioned legal regimes to be respected, in particular for the parties (be they States or NSAGs) to adopt certain law-making or law-adapting functions with the goal of complying with some of the provisions contained therein. Show less
The Leiden Overview on SOGIESC in International Law is a list of existing online introductory video/audio/reading materials about the international legal aspects of sexual orientation, gender... Show moreThe Leiden Overview on SOGIESC in International Law is a list of existing online introductory video/audio/reading materials about the international legal aspects of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or sex characteristics. One of its intended uses is as preparatory material for anyone (considering) taking part in Leiden University’s annual Summer School on SOGI in International Law. Also by others, it can also be used as an introduction to - or as course materials about - the growing field of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and/or sex characteristics in international law.The Leiden Overview consists of six paragraphs (Global law; United Nations; Areas of international law; Specific rights; Regional law; National state practice), each divided over three columns (Online introductory video & audio materials; Online introductory reading materials; Further online information).It is a work in progress that is being updated from time to time, with the latest version being available at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/study-programmes/summer-schools/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-in-international-law-human-rights-and-beyond/leiden-overview-on-sogiesc-in-international-lawShow less
