World Forum

[kojikun]

Could a forum open to discussion between the world public and the governments of various major nations be successfully set up to discuss the current issues in the world, and possible future change? I think it would be a good opportunity for governments to explain to the world why theyre doing what theyre doing, and for people to talk to government directly about what they think should be done in the future on a grand scheme. I think it would be particularly useful if the Chinese congress were to attend and discuss the non-communist party suppression in China.

[BoredShirtless]

Could a forum open to discussion between the world public and the governments of various major nations be successfully set up to discuss the current issues in the world, and possible future change?

No. Waste of money. And what for?

I think it would be a good opportunity for governments to explain to the world why theyre doing what theyre doing, and for people to talk to government directly about what they think should be done in the future on a grand scheme. I think it would be particularly useful if the Chinese congress were to attend and discuss the non-communist party suppression in China.

Why? What results would such a forum hope to achieve? The world is a mess; money and time setting up this forum could be sent to other MUCH more important tasks.

[kojikun]

To forward the democratic process and realign government agendas with the will of the people? But maybe that's irrelevant and democracy has become pointless? I don't know, I just think it's important for governments to be, you know, in touch with the people they're governing.

[Gandalf]

Isn't this the idea behind the UN?

[Bob McDob]

The UN is a congress of nations' representatives, not one between nations and people.

Anyway, the concept seems suspect - what about authoritarian and totalitarian regimes like, say, Communist China? There's no way in hell they'd agree to this.

[kojikun]

Isn't this the idea behind the UN?

Not unless Congress and the various parliaments meet at the UN and the public is allowed to sit down and actually talk with them.

[BoredShirtless]

To forward the democratic process and realign government agendas with the will of the people?

The will of an American means jack to the Chinese government and vice versa.

But maybe that's irrelevant and democracy has become pointless?

No. What's irrelevent is the idea of a StarTrek like United Federation of Countries forum.

I don't know, I just think it's important for governments to be, you know, in touch with the people they're governing.

Uh huh. Are you drinking?

[kojikun]

I never said the Chinese government as a whole cares about what foreigners think, but the DISCUSSION is the important part, getting them to think about more than just the same stuff.

And no, I've not been drinking, I do, infact, believe that governments should be in touch with the people they're governing over and the people they must interact with daily on a global level.

[GySgt. Hartman]

I never said the Chinese government as a whole cares about what foreigners think, but the DISCUSSION is the important part, getting them to think about more than just the same stuff.

And no, I've not been drinking, I do, infact, believe that governments should be in touch with the people they're governing over and the people they must interact with daily on a global level.

It's not like the international discussion made the US gov. think about the invasion of Iraq.
Then: who is "the people"? I think the majority of the people of any country would be challenged to ask even one intelligent question on global issues. You have to have some background in the matters you want to discuss. So basically every country would have to send representatives to the discussion. It's a nice idea, but it's still a waste of time.

[kojikun]

I don't think terribly many senators were out talking with people, answering questions and having full blown discussions about why they should go to war. I think THEIR discussion was between themselves and other governments.

Plus, I don't think you'd have to worry about morons attending. I don't think they'd be interested. The organization would be possibly a bit difficult, but there are different things that could go on. Like a Q&A session done through raffle, etc. I think it could have great potential, not only as a forum for discussion of policy, but for proposition and promotion of ideas by government to the people.

[GySgt. Hartman]

Plus, I don't think you'd have to worry about morons attending. I don't think they'd be interested.

Not your average Moron, but what about the Morons with a cause (TM)? You don't need to be informed to have an opinion, and to voice it louder than anybody else. People that would turn every exchange into an abortion, gay marriage, freedom of speech, ... discussion.

I am too tired now, will write more tomorrow.

[kojikun]

But that's ok, because that s the point, to have such discussions. They would, ofcourse, have to get chosen to speak with the people, but that they would indeed be speaking with them isn't a bad thing.