In early 2005 UNA-UK was tasked by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to conduct a public and expert engagement process on UN reform in the lead-up to the UN Millennium Review Summit in September 2005.

A series of national and regional public debates were undertaken to examine the recommendations made in the UN Secretary-General's report, In Larger Freedom. UNA-UK compiled a report based on the feedback and supplemented this with expert input. The full report can be accessed here.

The purpose of the debates was to ensure the widest possible public input into the development of the UK government's priorities for the UN World Summit.

The events proved very popular, attracting a cross-section of society, including youth, trade unions, parliamentarians, NGOs, the armed services and academia. Common themes emerged: a clear and widespread support for a strengthened United Nations, and a reaffirmation of the UN's unique importance as both a forum for negotiating viable solutions to collective threats, and an instrument for taking collective action to meet diverse threats, from climate change to terrorism.

Here are samples of the views:

10 March 2005: Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London

The need was stressed for a legally binding arms trade treaty. The role of education – and particularly that of girls - in development was emphasised and noted as indispensable to realising the Millennium Development Goals.

15 March 2005: Cambridge Students’ Union, Cambridge

The principle of the responsibility to protect was affirmed, and calls made for guidelines to be agreed on the practical application of the use of force under the UN Charter, for review and consultation by the Security Council prior to the authorisation of the use of force.

17 March 2005: Civic Hall, Leeds

Following a stimulating introduction by then FCO Minister Bill Rammell MP, participants backed a root-and-branch overhaul of UN human resources policies and budgetary processes, with greater emphasis on an independent, well-resourced oversight capacity, and commitments from member states to reduce micro-management and political interference in recruitment and promotion.

19 May 2005: Birmingham and Midlands Institute, Birmingham

Debt relief featured prominently, with the co-chair of the Jubilee Debt Campaign sharing valuable information on the issue. The Mayor of Birmingham addressed the meeting and the UK Ambassador to the UN, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, delivered the keynote address.

1 June 2005: Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh

This event was attended by several MSPs, with Des McNulty MSP sitting on the panel. The importance of cooperation between the Bretton Woods institutions and the UN at the country level, working through the Peacebuilding Commission, was stressed.