Felix Dodds comments on sustainable development, coffee & life

Guest blog: Lenni Montiel : Senior UN Development Leader (Ret.) | Former UN Assistant Secretary-General |UNDP Resident Representative | Governance, Public Policy & Multilateral Diplomacy | Leadership Advisor & Trainer | Chevening Scholar. Lenni writes on LinkedIn about the UN and international development. Originally published here.   Every international relations student asks how to get into the UN. Almost none ask this: "Where would I apply for a job if the UN didn't exist?" It sounds like a strange question. But it reveals something important. I've often reflected on it myself. If the UN hadn't existed, I suspect I would still have spent my career working on governance, public policy, and international development, just through different institutions. Many students focus on the institution. The destination. Too few begin by asking what kind of work they truly want to dedicate themselves to. Yet the most fulfilled professionals I encountered during my ...

Task and action under the UN80 Initiative - from June 29th briefing (originally published here) Para 47 “Environmental issues are growing in importance, and environmental responsibilities are dispersed across UN entities.  We will undertake a thorough assessment of current arrangements and make proposals on possible structural changes and programme realignments on environmental issues” (UN80 WS3 page 22) Action 35 Undertake a thorough assessment of current arrangements and  make proposals on possible structural changes and programme realignments on environmental issues Broad engagement of the UN system Co-chairs UNEP Executive Director and UNFCCC Executive  Secretary Contributing UN organizations UNDP, OHCHR, DPPA/PBSO, UNESCO, WMO, WHO, UNCTAD, IFAD, UN Habitat, UNDRR, UNECE, ESCAP, UNU, UNDESA, CEB, DCO, DOALOS, CBD, UNCCD, BRS, Montreal Protocol and Vienna Convention, MLFP, Minamata Convention, CMS, CITES, UNEP, UNFCCC Context ·        The...

 Dear Friends Below are seven of my books since the Rio+20 Conference, which you may find useful if you are engaged in sustainable development, climate change, lobbying at the UN, new technologies, and the history of intergovernmental negotiations. Chris Specne and I are working on a new book which will be out for the HLPF in 2027 called  Political Heroes of the Environment: Profiles in Courage. The second in the Heroes series. We are looking for a production company that might be interested in pitching this to the streaming services.  This book provides a step-by-step, insider's guide to lobbying and engaging successfully at the United Nations. It reveals how the United Nations, which plays such a key role on issues from climate change to pollution of our air, land and sea, really works.   From the very basic question of how to ensure you can even attend the event, this book offers hard-to-find information to help readers through this lab...

Guest blog: Lenni Montiel: Senior UN Development Leader (Ret.) | Former UN Assistant Secretary-General |UNDP Resident Representative | Governance, Public Policy & Multilateral Diplomacy | Leadership Advisor & Trainer | Chevening Scholar. Lenni writes on LinkedIn about the UN and international development. Originally published here. T he next major UN election has begun, and you've probably never heard about it. The International Labour Organization is selecting its next Director-General. Unlike most organizations in the UN system, the ILO has a unique governance model. It is not governed solely by Member States. Its Governing Body consists of 56 members: 🔹 28 government representatives 🔹 14 employers' representatives 🔹 14 workers' representatives This tripartite structure, established in 1919, means that candidates must build confidence not only among governments but also among employers and trade unions. The current timetable is: 📅 31 August 2026 – Deadline for...