9.2. Governança global per als béns comuns (o públics)

Governance at Local Levels

Introduction to Local Governance

• The speaker introduces the topic of local governance, building on previous discussions about global governance.

• Emphasizes the importance of cities in the 21st century, suggesting that they may play a more significant role than states did in the 20th century.

Historical Context and Challenges

• Discusses the historical precedence of cities over states, highlighting challenges faced by cities today.

• Introduces the concept of "the right to the city," which encompasses various aspects such as habitation, construction, and transformation of urban spaces.

Key Issues in Local Governance

• Identifies a critical challenge: sovereign states are retreating from guaranteeing rights and addressing global issues.

• References the 1993 Vienna Conference on Human Rights as a pivotal moment for re-evaluating human rights challenges globally.

Democracy and Human Rights

• Stresses strengthening the link between democracy and human rights; asserts that democracy cannot exist without underlying values.

• Quotes from Vienna 1993 stating that democratic regimes require foundational human rights to function effectively.

Evolution of Democratic Concepts

• Critiques past views that limited democracy to merely being a political regime defined by elections.

• Expands on democracy as not just a political system but also as a set of values essential for societal functioning.

Dimensions of Democracy

• Outlines six dimensions of democracy beyond representative systems: equality, parity, participation, plurality, guarantee, and solidarity.

• Highlights ongoing debates regarding identity and human rights within local contexts influenced by global discussions.

Identity and Cultural Dynamics

• Discusses Amin Maalouf's perspective on identities being multifaceted rather than singularly defined against others.

• Uses an example from Latin America to illustrate how individuals identify with multiple intersecting identities (e.g., gender, ethnicity).

Interculturality vs. Multiculturality

• Questions whether societies are truly intercultural or merely multicultural with dominant cultures overshadowing others.

• Advocates for intercultural dialogue where no single culture is dominant; emphasizes mutual respect among diverse cultures.

Migration Challenges

• Addresses contemporary migration issues as significant challenges for local governance amidst upcoming European migration policies effective June 2026.

The Role of Administrations in Governance

Importance of Local and Global Governance

• The role of administrations is fundamental in governance, both at global and local levels. They exist to guarantee rights rather than to grant them.

• Rights are inherent to individuals within a municipality, city, region, or state; administrations must ensure that all people can enjoy these rights.

Responsibilities of Administrations

• Augusto Cançado Trindade emphasized that states and municipalities exist for human beings, not the other way around. Their purpose is to guarantee rights rather than merely exercise power over individuals.

• Local responsibilities extend beyond actions taken; they also encompass failures to act (omission), which can lead to violations of rights when public policies are not adopted.

Accountability for Omission

• There is a need to demand accountability for non-action at the local level, similar to how we hold entities accountable globally. This includes failing to implement policies that protect certain rights.

Comparative Analysis in Public Policy

• A common challenge is comparing performance across different regions regarding public policies. Often comparisons are made with those performing worse instead of seeking best practices.

• Instead of competitive comparisons, focus should be on identifying and implementing good practices from areas excelling in environmental issues, health care, or migration policies.

Evolving Challenges and Education as a Tool

• As cities and territories evolve, new realities emerge that require adaptive instruments for addressing challenges such as poverty—now seen as a structural issue rather than just situational.

• Poverty itself constitutes a violation of human rights due to the coexistence of wealth alongside impoverished communities.

New Realities in International Cooperation

Rethinking International Cooperation Models

• The traditional north-south cooperation model needs reevaluation; there should be an emphasis on south-south cooperation and decentralized forms of collaboration beyond state-to-state interactions.

Indigenous Communities' Contributions

• Recognizing the value indigenous communities bring through their unique perspectives can enhance our understanding of global and local dynamics.

The Role of Education in Addressing Global Issues

Importance of Educational Initiatives

• Educational programs focused on global challenges are crucial tools for reversing negative situations by instilling values aimed at preventing violations rather than merely sanctioning them.

Transformative Potential Through Values-Based Education

• Emphasizing education as a means for transformation can help address oppressive realities both globally and locally. It’s essential to utilize this tool effectively for meaningful change.

Building a Global Citizenship Beyond Borders

The Role of Social Movements in Global Citizenship

• Emphasizes the importance of cosmopolitan citizenship that transcends state borders, highlighting the contributions of social movements alongside various levels of government and international organizations.

• Stresses the significant role civil society and social movements play in challenging stereotypes surrounding human rights.

Debating Freedom vs. Security

• Questions the common narrative that freedom must be sacrificed for security, asserting that both can coexist as fundamental human rights.

• Expands on the concept of security beyond police measures to include food, housing, education, and labor security.

Deconstructing East vs. West Narratives

• Critiques the binary opposition between Western values and Islam, arguing that such contrasts are misleading.

• Proposes that Islam has been part of Western societies for centuries and should be integrated into discussions about shared values.

Individual Rights vs. Collective Rights

• Raises questions about whether health rights are individual or collective, suggesting they may encompass both aspects.

• Calls for a reevaluation of how rights are conceptualized to recognize their interconnectedness.

Addressing Challenges as Opportunities

• Differentiates between viewing issues as challenges rather than conflicts; framing them as problems encourages collaborative solutions instead of divisive competition.

• Advocates for a governance approach focused on problem-solving rather than conflict resolution to foster unity within society.

Conceptualizing Prevention vs. Provision

• Introduces "provenció" (provision), emphasizing readiness to address emerging challenges rather than merely preventing them from occurring.

Balancing Rights with Responsibilities

• Highlights the need to discuss not only rights but also duties within communities, promoting a sense of shared responsibility among citizens.

• Introduces the idea of co-responsibility among social movements, universities, and administrations in upholding both rights and responsibilities.

Transforming Local Realities to Global Impact

The Importance of Local Governance

• The speaker emphasizes the need for transformation starting at the local level, suggesting that local realities should inform global political changes rather than the reverse.

• A bottom-up approach is proposed for addressing global issues, highlighting the importance of local governance in initiating change and scaling effective policies.

Characteristics of Equitable Cities

• Four key characteristics are outlined for cities: they should be equitable (not equal), habitable, sustainable, and diverse. This aims to address existing inequalities within urban environments.

• The concept of "equitable cities" focuses on correcting local disparities rather than assuming all residents start from an equal footing.

Intersectionality in Urban Vulnerability

• An intersectional perspective is advocated, recognizing that vulnerabilities in urban settings stem from multiple sources such as sexual orientation, class, and age.

• The speaker argues for a comprehensive understanding of discrimination that acknowledges various intersecting identities and experiences.

Reimagining City Roles in Transformation

• There is a call to recognize cities as transformative agents in the 21st century, suggesting that public policies can leverage urban spaces to drive significant societal change.