Promoting effective dialogue between participants in Global Governance

Gold Mercury International believes effective and accountable Global Governance and Ethical Leadership are vital to achieving a better global society.

Global Governance describes decision-making and accountability within the international system and the process by which decisions are made and are implemented (or not implemented). In today’s world we are faced with many problems that affect more than one state or region and go beyond the capacity of individual states to solve, including peace and security, economic crises, terrorism, climate change and the spread of disease. Collective efforts must be made to identify, understand and address these global problems.

Globalization is admittedly a broad, amorphous topic area that spans multiple industries, interests and issues: different ideologies, political and diplomatic negotiations, sweatshops, offshoring, trade agreements, international finance, human-rights, agriculture and many more. From a new dam in China to a soybean field in a cleared stretch of Amazon rainforest, from maquilladoras in Mexico to regional rearmament and nuclear proliferation, "globalization" captures a unique profile of life in the age of fast economic globalization.

An increasingly global world has exacerbated the need for multilateral action, but it has also shaken the very foundations of the multilateral system: Authority is leaking away from international institutions and from the Western powers that have traditionally led them, leaving the world short on leadership at a time when it is increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic shocks.

Traditionally, states have been the main participants in Global Governance and the main building block of the world order. Nation States are now seeing its clout blur as other forces crowd onto the stage. States have had great capacity to influence or control events and decisions in the international system. Throughout history the balance of power between states has undergone many changes. One of the most fundamental changes in recent years was the collapse of the Soviet Union and the transition from bipolarity to unipolarity. Many now believe that the demographic and economic growth of countries such as China, India and now Russia represents a return to a more multipolar system.

Power is becoming increasingly diffuse while the need for cooperation on issues like climate change, development, hunger and poverty, human-rights, conflict resolution, pandemics and terrorism has never been greater. But beyond each individual problem the greatest challenge is how to engineer collective action in a world where old and new powers compete for influence and resources; and where a technological revolution has empowered ordinary citizens and those who want to influence them.

Global Governance is about the interaction that is required to solve problems that affect more than one state or region when there is no power of enforcing compliance. As such Global Governance is about decision-making and the regulation and management of interdependent relations and global processes within the international system in the absence of overarching political authority.

Global Governance encompasses mechanisms, relationships, and practices through which global problems are addressed, collective interests are articulated, rights and obligations are established,
and differences mediated. Governments, companies and organisations adhere to these sustainable practices both because they make economic sense, and because stakeholders (especially shareholders) can monitor their compliance easily.

Other important transitions in international power relations are also taking place. Non-state actors are increasingly acquiring the ability to influence the processes of Global Governance. Improved global problem-solving involves both, informal networks and effective international institutions involves creating consensus on norms and practices, including the creation and improvement of new accountability mechanisms and practices. Most prominent among these non-state actors are multinational corporations with vast financial assets. However, non-governmental organisations have also displayed a great capacity to affect decision-making in the international system. Some of the more successful recent efforts at forging international cooperation have involved crucial input from business, local authorities and nongovernmental international organizations like Gold Mercury.

Gold Mercury International’s role in such a context is to foster increased interaction between
Global Governance participants, encouraging much needed dialogue between
representatives of government, the corporate world, civil society, religion and those passionate
and visionary individuals who are making positive change for the betterment of our world.

Recognising those who demonstrate ethical leadership towards a sustainable society

Ethical Leadership is extremely important in the context of Global Governance. The current process of Governance has been criticised for lacking transparency and accountability. Citizens all over the world are becoming disillusioned with poor governance practices.

It is the will and mission of Gold Mercury International that all individuals, institutions, and organisations participating in the processes of Global Governance, demonstrate Ethical Leadership.

A certain set of “global ethics” or standards, that are the result of consensus among societies, corporations, institutions and organisations, can be agreed upon, which the leaders involved in Global Governance must follow.

In sum, participants should strive to uphold a basic set of “good governance” principles:

Participation - Those affected by a decision should have a voice in the decision-making process, either directly or through legitimate institutions that represent their interests.

Rule of law - Legal frameworks should be fair and enforced impartially and all people should be equal before the law.

Transparency - Processes, institutions and information should be directly accessible to those concerned with them.

Responsiveness - Institutions and processes should endeavour to serve all stakeholders.

Consensus orientation - Differing interests should be mediated to reach a broad consensus on what is in the best interests of those involved.

Equity - All individuals should have opportunities to improve or maintain their well-being.

Efficiency - Processes and institutions should produce results that meet needs while making the best use of resources.

Accountability - Decision-makers in government, the private sector, and civil society organisations should be accountable to the public and to institutional stakeholders.

Strategic vision - Leaders should have a broad and long-term perspective on governance and human development and a sense of what is needed for such development. In other words, they must work to provide for the needs of the world's current population without damaging the ability of future generations to provide for themselves.

Creating a framework for cooperation and global governance since 1961

Gold Mercury believes it is vital to increase interaction and cooperation among participants in Global Governance. Through our Global Governance Forums, we invite much needed dialogue between representatives of government, the corporate world, and civil society from all corners of the world. Our Global Governance Forums and Conferences unite participants to discuss different issues within a framework of cooperation and with the intent of finding common paths to solving common problems.

The Gold Mercury Awards recognise individuals and organisations that demonstrate Ethical Leadership and make great contributions to the processes of improving Global Governance in our eight different challenge areas: Peace & Security, the Environment, Humanitarian action, Health & Science, Cooperation & Development, Social & Economic Policy, Corporate Governance and Information & Media.

Global Governance and Ethical Leadership pose the most interesting ‘cooperative framework’ in history for different nations and actors to look at the bigger picture, foster peace, resolve issues and disputes and achieve common progress and solidarity.

Gold Mercury will continue to progress Global Governance initiatives and ‘ethical thinking and action’ in its efforts to create a more ethical and sustainable world.

Nicolas De Santis
Secretary General of Gold Mercury International