Multilateralism
This initiative examines the evolving role of multilateralism as a cornerstone of global stability and human security. It recognizes that existing multilateral arrangements, largely shaped by historical conditions of the mid-20th century, are increasingly strained by geopolitical rivalry, unequal representation, and declining public trust. At the same time, the absence of effective multilateral cooperation heightens insecurity, amplifies global risks, and weakens the capacity to manage common challenges.
The project emphasizes the need to reinvigorate multilateralism through principles of inclusivity, equity, transparency, and shared responsibility. Multilateral cooperation must evolve beyond narrow state-centric models to incorporate broader participation from civil society, knowledge institutions, and other social actors, while respecting cultural diversity and national sovereignty. Strengthened multilateralism is essential for coordinating global action, sharing knowledge, managing risk, and aligning policies with long-term human and planetary well-being.
A central focus of the initiative is the relationship between multilateralism and global trust. Cooperative systems can only function effectively when they are perceived as legitimate, fair, and responsive to the needs of all. Building such systems requires ethical leadership, informed public engagement, and institutions capable of anticipating change rather than reacting to crisis.
Ultimately, the Multilateralism project seeks to support the evolution of cooperative global frameworks that enable humanity to address shared challenges collectively—transforming interdependence from a source of vulnerability into a foundation for peace, resilience, and sustainable development.
EVENT
WAAS@65 Addressing Global Social Turbulences
Online, July 21-24, 2025
This conference addressed the “polycrisis”—a multifaceted global storm of political, economic, and technological instability—threatening the future of humanity. The event functioned as a high-level inquiry to move beyond treating surface-level symptoms, such as isolated conflicts or news cycles, and instead focused on identifying the deep-seated structural drivers of this unprecedented volatility. The concept note emphasized that traditional institutions and unidisciplinary approaches have failed to keep pace with the sheer speed of global social evolution. Ultimately, the conference called for Conscious Social Evolution, a strategic global effort to reorganize social power and transform human consciousness to ensure technology, finance, and governance serve as a force for collective human security and sustainable peace. Read more.
Events
- Human Security & Multilateralism
Shusha City, June 19, 2022
Reports & Articles
- Human Security For All (HS4A) Report
October 2022 – March 2024 - Cadmus Journal. Special Issue on Human Security: Part 2
August 2023 - Cadmus Journal. Special Issue on Human Security Part 1
March 2023 - Human Security: Practical, Urgent, and Necessary – Jonathan Granoff
September 20, 2022 - Approaching Human Security – Jonathan Granoff
November 6, 2020 - Integrated Approach to Peace & Human Security in the 21st Century – Garry Jacobs
October 26, 2016 - A New Paradigm in Global Higher Education for Sustainable Development and Human Security
November 29, 2021 - ‘National Security’ is Too Crude to Protect Us From Pandemics. It’s Time to Shift to Human Security Instead — Newsweek
March 17, 2020 - Building human security for Afghanistan – The Hill
28 August, 2021