A Governance for the Future
Context and scope
The International Conference of Chief Justices of the World (ICCJW) is an annual gathering of Chief Justices, judges and highest-ranking experts from across the globe called by City Montessori School (Lucknow) to think about our global challenges and how to address them for a better future for the children. In light of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly’s Summit of the Future, scheduled for 22-23 September 2024, and the imperative to address pressing issues surrounding UN reform, this year’s conference will focus on exploring avenues to create a governance for the future. As the world prepares to address challenges and opportunities, the role of judiciaries in shaping global governance is more crucial than ever. The ICCJW stands poised to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing discussions on UN reform and to advocate for a future where unity, peace, justice and democracy prevail on the international stage.
Theme
One leader at the San Francisco conference where the UN Charter was adopted said:
This Charter, like our own Constitution, will be expanded and improved as time goes on. No one claims that it is now a final or a perfect instrument. It has not been poured into any fixed mould. Changing world conditions will require readjustments, but they will be the readjustments of peace and not of war.
It was clear from its inception that the UN Charter was created as an organic element of our global governance architecture meant to adjust and evolve as the requirements of humanity demanded.
This Magna Carta was created in 1945, a time with an economic, social and political reality quite far from today’s. However, despite the crises overwhelming humanity and the mounting evidence of the shortcomings of our global governance system to confront the challenges of this time, we find ourselves paralyzed before the daunting task of rethinking the international order in a way that better corresponds to the needs humanity and the planet are facing.
As more international conflicts arise, the acceleration of the effects of climate change disturbs the integrity of earth’s planetary systems, and other catastrophes endanger human security, it has become peremptory for all agents of society to move swiftly towards building systems to protect our species.
City Montessori School believes that a modern school acts as a lighthouse of society, and it is a main actor in social transformation. Consequently, this year, as we move forward towards the Agenda 2030, we want to dedicate the 25th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World to explore the theme of “A governance for the future”.
To able an enriching discussion on what a governance for the future could look like we would like to explore some sub themes inspired by the UN Pact for Future Zero Draft:
Transforming Global Governance
International Peace and Security
Sustainable development and its financing
Science, technology and innovation and digital cooperation
Youth and Future Generations
Background
The ICCJW was conceived and convened for 24 years consecutively by Dr. Jagdish Gandhi, Founder of City Montessori School, a doyen of world unity and peace and a passionate life-long advocate for a better global governance structure via reform of the UN.
This conference was inspired by Article 51 of the Constitution of India which relates to promoting international peace and security, fostering respect for international law, encouraging settlement of international disputes by arbitration, and the maintenance of just and honourable relations between nations.
By 2023, a total of 1480 Chief Justices, judges, Heads of States and experts from 141 countries had participated in the ICCJW.
