We live in a world saturated with analysis of global and local problems yet lacking in concrete and viable proposals. Meanwhile, the powerful - Putin, Netanyahu, Trump, Musk, Khamenei, Maduro, Kim Jong-un, among others - prioritize their own interests over the common good, and major armed conflicts remain unresolved. Inequality grows, military spending increases, and social media is used to manipulate, spread hatred, and misinform.
Does our proposal make sense? I believe it does. Now more than ever.
In the face of this situation, there are three options:
1. Trust that those in power will act for the common good.
2. Look the other way, hoping the problems will resolve themselves, even if it costs thousands of lives.
3. Promote sensible and viable initiatives, even if imperfect, hoping better ones will emerge.
What are we proposing?
To create a moral authority above politics, based on truthful information. Many authoritarian governments fear the truth, which is why they suppress it. Recent examples prove this: Trump punishing universities that contradict him, or Putin passing laws against free access to information on the Internet.
This authority must be grounded in universal principles, already defined in the United Nations Charter and endorsed by 193 countries.
Is it viable to spread these principles? Today, yes.
Technology makes it possible to communicate universal values clearly, in multiple languages, and adapted to different cultures. And the United Nations, as custodian of these principles, has both the means and the legitimacy to do so. If those who spread hate can influence with limited resources, the UN should be able to do so with a far greater positive impact.
What would we achieve?
Spreading these principles would help most of the humanity, those who want to live in peace, make progress, and leave a better future for their children, to share a common framework for coexistence. This would uncover governments that act against the collective interest, along with the consequences that would result from it.
In a world full of misinformation and manipulation, someone must promote a voice that is clear, truthful, and global, and the United Nations can and should be that actor. This action could also revitalize the UN, currently weakened by deadlocks in the Security Council and the failure to enforce its resolutions.
Humanity needs a shared ethical foundation. Spreading it is possible and urgent.
What can we do?
· Share this proposal once a month with three or four people.
· Contribute €/$ 2 or €/$ 3 per month so that Change.org can promote it. With €/$ 3, about 100 emails can be sent, generating around 10 signatures.
· If you have contact with media outlets, suggest they publish or discuss these ideas.
Thank you for your support.