Helsinki Process Consultative Network discussed the changing context of globalisation
Press release 175/2006
7 June, 2006
The high-level Consultative Network of the Helsinki Process on Globalisation and Democracy convened for its first meeting in Helsinki on 6-7 June. The meeting was cochaired by the Foreign Ministers of Finland and Tanzania, Erkki Tuomioja and Asha-Rose Mtengeti Migiro and attracted about 50 participants from different stakeholder groups. The broad theme of the meeting was the "Changing Context of Globalisation" and the participants discussed three topical issues that have affected globalisation in recent years.
During the first day the network elaborated on the potential of the new United Nations Human Rights Council as well as new macroeconomic thinking, such as focusing on job creation in order to promote economic growth. The main theme of the second day was the link between climate change and the increasing demand for energy. The opening remarks were presented by Thomas Hammarberg, High Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Robert Vos, Director of the Development Policy and Analysis Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations, R.K. Pachauri, Director General of the TATA Energy Research Institute, and Jagdish Bhagwati, Eminent Professor of Economics, Columbia University.
In addition, the network addressed the aims and initiatives of the second phase of the Helsinki Process, launched after the Helsinki Conference of September 2005.
The meeting concluded that the open and inclusive multistakeholder approach of the process can bring value-added to identifying solutions to global problems and contribute to the improvement of North-South relations. It was noted that the process also seeks to support existing initiatives and proposals, for example by contributing to the development of a stable and equal Human Rights Council. The empowerment of marginalised voices and the inclusion of parliamentarians both at the local and the global level were seen as key tasks for the process.
One of the greatest challenges raised was the mobilisation of political will to address the issues of climate change and energy in a way that would not put the greatest burden on the poorest people living in developing countries. During the first phase of the Helsinki Process, Finland and Tanzania brought together a Group of Friends of the Helsinki Process consisting of thirteen states. In the second phase, this group is responsible for taking forward the commonly agreed aims in various international fora.
The Helsinki Process was initiated by the governments of Finland and Tanzania in 2002 to search for new approaches to global problem-solving.
The Consultative Network is a high-level body consisting of about 50 global innovators and decision-makers from different backgrounds. The purpose of the network is to give guidance and support to the second phase of the Helsinki Process. The next meeting of the network will be organised in the latter half of 2007.
More information: Folke Sundman, Senior Adviser to the Minister, [email protected], +358 9 1605 5016, and Ambassador Ilari Rantakari, [email protected], +358 9 1605 6192
The Helsinki Process consultative network began its meeting in Helsinki