This episode is released to mark the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace 2025.

We invited Marie Hürlimann, Co-Director, and Raphaëlle Leung, Head of Communications of Foraus, a Swiss participatory think tank for young thinkers who want to shape tomorrow’s foreign policy, to talk about the latest Foraus publication that they co-edited with Maximillian Rau: GenSouth - New voices from the Global South for the multilateral system of the future. GenSouth is a programme designed to bring together academics and think tank researchers from the Global South, aged between 25 and 35, to engage in discussions about the multilateralism of the future and to develop actionable, ambitious recommendations.

Marie and Raphaëlle talk with Francesco Pisano, Director of the UN Library & Archives in Geneva, about the GenSouth project. They reveal to us four visions of possible futures of multilateralism elaborated in the report.

GenSouth sees a world built on collective responsibility where the international community does not stand by in the violation of IHL; a reimagined South-South cooperation prioritising resilience, sustainability, and sovereignty; a transformation of the global financial architecture to empower vulnerable communities' access to climate finance; and Security Council reform for the inclusion of global south and the future of peace.

With thanks to the authors: Subia Ahmad, Maria Dominika Mediana Rossa Budhisatrio, Marième Cissé, Marília Closs, Paula Lottenberg, Muhammad Nidhal, Luanda Mpungose, Kwaji Ble Ngida, Olumide Onitekun, Luis Gabriel Herrera Perez, Beatriz Pfeifer, Pratyush Sharma, Parousia Tlhompho Shikwambane, Malena Viú.

Read about GenSouth and access the report: https://foraus.ch/en/projects/gensouth-programme-2024/

Resources: Ask a Librarian!

Where to listen to this episode

• Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-page/id1469021154
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/10fp8ROoVdve0el88KyFLy
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/

Content

Guests: Marie Hürlimann and Raphaëlle Leung, Foraus

Host: Francesco Pisano, Director, UN Library & Archives Geneva

Recorded and produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva

In this episode, we examine the complex issue of global food security and the need for a revamped governance system. Despite having enough food produced worldwide to feed everyone, millions still suffer from hunger due to systemic failures.

Our guest, Amir Abdulla, one of the Commissioners of the Kofi Annan Foundation Commission on Food Security, shares vital insights from the recently released report entitled "Reimagining Global Governance." The report provides a roadmap to address systemic failures in our broken global food governance system and to redefine how we address one of humanity’s most pressing challenges. It outlines four governance shifts and provides ten actionable recommendations.

Amir Abdulla, with his extensive experience, including as former Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) and former UN Coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative, discusses the necessity of political commitment and the importance of youth participation and anticipatory governance in shaping a sustainable future. Join us as we explore the pivotal actions needed to ensure food security for future generations.

Read the report: https://www.kofiannanfoundation.org/publication/fixfoodgovernance/

Resources: Ask a Librarian!

Where to listen to this episode

• Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-page/id1469021154
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/10fp8ROoVdve0el88KyFLy
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/dhGG4TNgUL8

Content

Guest: Amir Abdulla, Commissioner, Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security

Host: Francesco Pisano, Director, UN Library & Archives Geneva

Recorded and produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva

Our guest, Stefan Tschauko, explains how, “Branding in IOs means advancing humankind through the power of ideas”. Join us in this conversation as we explore the world of branding within international organizations, focusing on the United Nations.

Stefan shares his journey of over a decade in researching branding strategies and their impacts on organizational performance and global issues. With insights into the unique challenges faced by these organizations, Stefan explains how branding can shape perceptions and drive change, making it a crucial component for advancing multilateralism. He shares with us his unique model, defining three components of branding manifestations, touchpoints and ideas, how they relate to each other and how that leads to performance and impact.

In this episode, we delve into the components of branding, from logos to stakeholder interactions, revealing the power of branding in IOs to advance human progress through impactful ideas.

Stefan Tschauko is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs where he teaches a class on Strategic Communications in International Organizations. His research focuses on branding and brand management in international organizations, particularly within the United Nations system. He also teaches a class on the United Nations at the Harvard Summer School.

Resources: Ask a Librarian!

Where to listen to this episode

• Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-page/id1469021154
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/10fp8ROoVdve0el88KyFLy
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/Jk2X-bUMqdA

Content

Guest: Stefan Tschauko

Host: Amy Smith, UN Library & Archives Geneva

Production and editing: Amy Smith

Recorded & produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva

Le 9 septembre 1924, le Conseil de la Société des Nations adoptait une résolution qui allait donner naissance à l’Institut International de Coopération Intellectuelle. Précurseur de l’UNESCO, cet Institut a joué un rôle majeur dans le développement des échanges intellectuels internationaux.

Pour cet épisode, nous avons la chance d’accueillir deux invités de marque : Blandine Blukacz-Louisfert, Cheffe de la Section de la mémoire institutionnelle à la Bibliothèque et Archives des Nations Unies à Genève, et Adama Pam, Chef archiviste à l'UNESCO à Paris.

Ils retracent le contexte historique de cette coopération intellectuelle, les difficultés rencontrées, et les activités marquantes de l’Institut. Plusieurs personnalités ayant contribué à ces travaux sont évoquées. Nos invités mettent en lumière l’importance de la préservation du patrimoine par le biais des bibliothèques et des archives et présentent les fonds précieux conservés dans leurs institutions respectives.

L’épisode aborde aussi l’idéal de décloisonnement des archives pour une histoire internationale partagée. Blandine et Adama montrent comment leurs fonds d’archives se complètent et détaillent leurs efforts conjoints pour enrichir et promouvoir cette mission commune.

Adama Aly Pam est archiviste paléographe, titulaire d’un doctorat d’histoire contemporaine de l’Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar. Il a été conservateur aux Archives nationales du Sénégal et professeur vacataire à l’École des Bibliothécaires, Archivistes et Documentaliste de Dakar, ainsi que président de l’Association sénégalaise des Archivistes. Depuis 2018, Adama Pam est chef archiviste de l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’éducation, la science et la culture (Unesco) à Paris.

Blandine Blukacz-Louisfert est responsable de la Section de la mémoire institutionnelle à la Bibliothèque et Archives des Nations Unies à Genève. Diplômée archiviste-paléographe de l’École nationale des chartes en 1990, elle a débuté sa carrière aux Archives nationales à Paris (1990-1991). Elle a ensuite travaillé au Yémen pour l’ONU et l’UNESCO pendant cinq ans sur un projet de création d’Archives nationales. De retour en France, elle a occupé le poste de Directrice-adjointe aux Archives départementales du Calvados. En 1999, elle a rejoint la Bibliothèque et Archives des Nations Unies à Genève. Elle a aussi mené le projet d’accès numérique intégral aux archives de la Société des Nations (LONTAD) de 2017 à 2022.

Ressources

Ask an Archivist! https://ask.unog.ch/archives

Guide de recherche sur l’Institut International de Coopération Intellectuelle : https://unesco.libguides.com/IICI

Guide de recherche sur la Société des Nations et la coopération intellectuelle : https://libraryresources.unog.ch/lonintellectualcooperation

Conférence « Un siècle de coopération intellectuelle internationale » à l’UNESCO, 13 septembre 2024: https://webcast.unesco.org/events/2024-09-IIIC/#

Site web de la Conférence sur le centenaire de la Commission Internationale de Coopération Intellectuelle : https://intellectualcooperation.org/

Discours d’Émile Borel sur la coopération intellectuelle (1934) : https://archives.ungeneva.org/emile-borele-fra

Où écouter cet épisode

• Apple podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-page/id1469021154

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/10fp8ROoVdve0el88KyFLy

• YouTube: https://youtu.be/HwHfPVUC6M4

Contenu 

Invités : Adama Pan et Blandine Blukacz-Louisfert

Hôte : Hermine Diebolt

Réalisation : Amy Smith

Recorded and produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva 

In this episode of The Next Page, we uncover overlooked narratives of the United Nations' history, guided by Dr. Alanna O'Malley, associate professor at Leiden University. Recorded in Geneva during the recent META-UN academic conference on ideas relevant to multilateralism, Dr. O'Malley discusses her extensive research into the unseen contributions of Global South actors to the UN, challenging the traditionally Western-focused historical narratives. She shares insights from her project funded by the European Research Council, highlighting how these actors have dynamically engaged with and transformed the UN system over decades. Tune in to uncover how these invisible histories shape the current and future landscape of global governance. And stay tuned for more on this topic following the publication of Dr. O'Malley's new book on this topic.

Resources: Ask a Librarian!

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/research/research-projects/humanities/the-invisible-history-of-the-united-nations-and-the-global-south-invisihist#tab-1

Where to listen to this episode

• Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-page/id1469021154
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/10fp8ROoVdve0el88KyFLy
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/ndZE5Bn92Hw

Content

Guest: Alanna O’Malley, Associate professor, Leiden University Institute for History

Host: Francesco Pisano, Director, UN Library & Archives Geneva

Production and editing: Amy Smith

Recorded & produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva

In this enlightening episode recorded in October 2024, we were joined by Ioana Popp, the visionary Founder and Executive Director of UNaccountable, to delve into the dynamic world of relational accountability within the UN system. Discover how this Geneva-based organization aims to revolutionize multilateralism by exploring innovative solutions for enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of international organizations.

We discuss the critical role of relational accountability, what it would mean for the UN, and how it could complement the new Pact for the Future. Learn about the challenges of maintaining accountability in such a complex organizational ecosystem and the strategies UNaccountable employs to address these challenges.

Furthermore, we explore the groundbreaking potential of AI in facilitating a more efficient multilateral system, enabling stakeholders to access vital information quickly and accurately. Ioana shares insights into how AI-driven solutions can empower diplomats and organizations to make informed decisions and foster a more transparent and effective UN system.

Resources: Ask a Librarian!

UNaccountable website: https://UN-accountable.ch/

Where to listen to this episode

• Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-page/id1469021154
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/10fp8ROoVdve0el88KyFLy
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH-u4f_i-WA

Content

Guest: Ioana Popp, Founder and Executive Director, UNaccountable

Host: Francesco Pisano, Director, UN Library & Archives Geneva

Production and editing: Amy Smith

Recorded and produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva

Welcome back to The Next Page and to a new series for 2025. Join us as we start the year with Daniel Perell, a representative of the Baha'i International Community to the UN, to discuss the pivotal role of civil society in shaping the Summit for the Future. In this energizing conversation, Daniel shares insights on multilateralism, the impact of normative frameworks, and the evolution of values such as trust, solidarity, and justice within global governance.

Explore how the discussions surrounding the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations are reshaping our approach to international cooperation. Daniel delves into the analysis of key terms in UN documents, highlighting the emerging focus on intergenerational solidarity and the necessity of trust and trustworthiness in multilateral institutions.

Discover the influence of civil society in these processes and how collective agency can drive change in local and global contexts. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how the principles of interdependence and cooperation can guide us towards a sustainable and equitable future for all.

Resources: Ask a Librarian!

Embracing Interdependence: Foundations for a World in Transition: A statement of the Bahá’í International Community on the occasion of the United Nations Summit of the Future https://www.bic.org/statements/embracing-interdependence-foundations-world-transition

Thoughts on a New Year: Is our Vision of Progress Really Progress? | Bahá’í International Community

Where to listen to this episode

• Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-page/id1469021154
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/10fp8ROoVdve0el88KyFLy
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/

Content

Guest: Daniel Perell, Baha’i International Community Representative to the United Nations

Host: Amy Smith, UN Library & Archives Geneva

Recorded & produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva