Today is the International day of Multilateralism, and the Covid-19 pandemic reminded us brutally that we all live in the same global community. But why aren’t the virtues of international cooperation between nations regarded as so attractive this days? Are we ready to seize the benefits of cooperating ?
We are one (world)
Since last year, and by the means of a voted UN resolution, we have a new commemoration day to remind us about the importance of working together in this global world we live in.
The 24 April is from now on the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace
So what is Multilateralism?
The concert of Nations that agreed to try and work together after World War II, and in accordance to the Charter of Human Rights, are set to stand for three main pillars : peace and security, development and human rights. The Sustainable Development is now also aggregated into this base of common ground. And Multilateralism refers exactly to an alliance of multiple countries pursuing a common goal.
Why it matters : The added value of acting multilaterally
It is been now seven decades since a majority of Nations started working together for ensuring this three pillars are strong. However, the actual global context presents us the challenges of isolationism and protectionism, that undermine the advances in cooperation between nations made until now. All this might look quite theoretical, but the consequences of rejecting the international dialogue are so often suffered by so many of us and in everyday life. When the quality of life is undermined, or even worse, when violent conflicts hit us, we are much more vulnerable if we are alone.
Because it concern us all, the union makes the force
All this has been understood once again with the Covid-19 crisis. This pandemic reminded us in a quite painful manner that we are communities connected in so many ways, and that we ultimately are members of the same human family. On one hand, local problems develop fast as global troubles. On the other hand, local solutions depend on cooperation at a global scale. Whether we like it or not, the world we live is now design this way, and “{G}lobal issues such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, humanitarian and migratory crises are cross-cutting”(1). As stated today by António Guterres, the Secretary General of the UN , the added values of multilateralism are not visible enough, in despite of its importance. Let’s not forget that shared opportunities are the other face of common threads. And once again in our history we owe ourselves the chance of optimism.
Live to tell
Multilateralism must adapt the the changes that we are navigating, as Guterres also stated. If a new global order is to develop from the actual crisis, it might be too early to say.
How to make the virtues of multilateralism more visible and easy to embrace? Once more, the importance of how we tell the story might not only reflect differently the reality with live in, but can even impact the possible changes to come. A virtuous dynamics for the concert of nations to take the chance to improve the way we live can be shaped though the powerful tool of story : that is of communication.
Are we ready to choose the benefits of peace over the ruinous conflicts that might only benefit a few? Are we ready for overcoming the xenophobic “instinct” that some argue is rooted in the Homo sapiens sapiens? Because even when the future arrives, as humans, we live to tell.