GPF Annual Highlights
2003
We closely monitored the Iraq crisis and vigorously opposed the war and occupation. Our extensive public education and outreach included many media interviews and broad website coverage. We worked to inform the world about diplomatic activity on Iraq at the United Nations, including arm-twisting and coercion by the United States and determined opposition by the great majority of nations. We gave special attention to the role of oil in the Iraq crisis and we looked at abusive corporate contracts during the occupation. On April 4, soon after the major hostilities, we organized a special meeting with the Security Council's Iraq experts to examine the immediate humanitarian situation. Later, we closely monitored the occupation, the pacification program and the many issues of international law and UN oversight.
Peace & Security
We organized 45 meetings of the NGO Working Group on the Security Council, bringing NGO leaders into contact with ambassadors on the Council as well as UN officials. We also organized informal meetings, lunches and other events. We continued our active policy work on sanctions and peacekeeping, we worked on Security Council reform, and we deepened our policy research on natural resources in conflict. We worked with scholars and NGO partners to consider the new US policy of preemptive war and "full spectrum dominance." In January we participated in an international conference on the Security Council and its work. In the fall, we worked with NGO partners on a Council initiative on natural resources and conflict.
NGOs & Global Governance
We participated in a committee organized by the Conference of NGOs to promote NGO access at the United Nations. We launched a year-long campaign to gain UN financing for computer infrastructure that would allow worldwide access to all UN documents via the internet. In late December, we learned that our campaign had finally succeeded. We organized small meetings of NGOs with the French Minister of State for the Environment and parliamentarians from the German Bundestag. In June, we attended an international conference in Geneva, organized by the UN's Non-Governmental Liaison Service, about NGOs' role in global policy making. In September, we were invited to an NGO roundtable organized by President Fernando Cardoso of Brazil, chair of a panel of eminent persons considering "UN-Civil Society Relations." In November, we submitted an extensive report to the panel, calling for creative reforms.
Social & Economic Policy/Globalization
We worked on global social and economic policy issues, including inequality and poverty, the role of the international financial institutions, international trade, corporate accountability, and the international financial and currency exchange system. Our work in this area includes a close analysis of globalization and its discontents. We followed particularly closely the decline of the value of the dollar, as markets reacted to the large international trade deficit of the United States and Washington's growing budget deficit. With most major economies in a downward cycle of weakening demand and employment problems, the world economy appears poised on the brink of a serious downturn. In August we published a policy paper on "The Fall of the Dollar," in September we closely monitored the world trade talks at Cancún and in November we followed the negotiations for the Free Trade Area of the Americas in Miami. Also in November, we participated in an international conference in Berlin on corporate accountability.
Hunger Project
We launched a project on world hunger, including analysis of hunger's root causes and monitoring of government funding for emergency food aid. In many of the most severe crises, especially in Africa, rich governments fund only a small percentage of the need, leaving people to suffer, fall ill and even starve. We will be working with partners to mobilize citizen pressure and demand that governments end this international scandal of neglect.
Empire?
Increasingly, there is talk of a United States "empire," as pundits and scholars of every political persuasion make use of this term. During 2003, GPF decided to consider the issue of Empire and to develop materials on this question. Factors of concern include the US military presence in over 100 countries, enormous US economic influence, US unilateralism and strong opposition from Washington to multilateral institutions like the UN.
United Nations Finance
In partnership with experts and scholars in several countries, we analyzed the UN's ongoing financial travails. The UN's regular budget for the year, just $1.4 billion, is smaller than the budget of the Tokyo fire department. The US and UK have spent or budgeted over $200 billion on Iraq, more than 140 times the UN budget and 600 times their UN dues. Budgets of UN funds and agencies have faced similar serious problems. We have encouraged more active citizen engagement with these issues, to demand that money be spent constructively on humanity's great global needs.
Media
We gave 304 interviews to over 70 media outlets – nearly one interview every single day. In addition to a large variety of interviews from United States media of every kind, we also gave interviews to media from 24 other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Web Site/Newsletter
We posted about 3200 document pages and substantially re-designed the site, which registered a total of 32 million hits from 3.5 million visitors, about double the rate of the previous year. The Library of Congress selected the GPF site for inclusion in its national digital archive on the Iraq conflict. The site was heavily used world wide by journalists, scholars, governments, students and engaged citizens. Our electronic newsletter also grew rapidly and by year-end reached subscribers in more than 80 countries.
Opinion Forum We launched a new section of the web site that features original opinion pieces on current issues written by scholars, experts and pratitioners.
Book Launch: Rule of Power or Rule of Law?
In partnership with the Council on International and Public Affairs, we co-sponsored the launch of Rule of Power or Rule of Law? at a reception on May 21. Editors Nicole Deller, Arjun Makhijani and John Burroughs discussed the book's conclusions about how the United States is undermining international treaties and dangerously weakening international law.
Policy Papers & Essays
We produced a paper on "NGOs and the UN Security Council" as a chapter for a forthcoming book by the International Peace Academy. We also published an essay on "The Fall of the Dollar" and texts on NGOs at the UN as well as further analysis of the role of oil in the Iraq war. At the request of the Secretary General's Cardoso Panel on "UN-Civil Society Relations," we submitted a substantial paper outlining our concerns and recommendations.
Internships
We hosted fifteen interns in three teams. The talented young people joined GPF from seven countries – Argentina, Australia, China, Germany, Russia, Sweden and the United States. We continued our active program of training and special lunches for our interns and we provided intern alumni with career advice and many letters of recommendation.
Capital Improvements
We purchased three new computers, as well as a new laser printer and specialized software. We also had the office painted and re-carpeted. These steps give us the best possible work environment and allowed GPF's office team to operate efficiently and productively.
Budget & Fundraising
GPF's budget continued to grow, enabling stronger program and outreach capacity. New donors and funders, along with generous friends from previous years, helped us build towards a successful year overall. Our budget grew from $180,000 in 2002 to $256,000 in 2003.
Global Policy Forum is supported primarily by contributions from generous individuals who join as members. GPF also receives grants from foundations and partner institutions. GPF is incorporated in the State of New York, registered as a charitable organization and recognized by the US Internal Revenue Service as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the revenue code.
