Welcome to One Earth Future

Peace Through Governance

One Earth Future's (OEF) vision is a world beyond war by the year 2110, achieved by developing more effective systems of global governance.

The current system of global governance, with nation-states as the main legitimate actors in international relations, is no longer able to effectively address global problems on its own. OEF will support multi-stakeholder systems of governance that include nation-states, business societies, international organizations, and civil societies. OEF believes that these inclusive structures will be more effective and efficient at solving global problems. more

OEF intends to focus particularly on bringing business to the global governance table. In order to bring in business as partners, OEF will show, through active multi-stakeholder projects and case studies, how business societies benefit from reliable and effective governance architectures. OEF will then encourage them to support such systems, resulting in systems that are not only inclusive, effective, and efficient, but also replicable and self-sustaining. Learn more

Announcements

One Earth Future announces a new book, Maritime Piracy, now available from Routledge publications. Maritime Piracy presents the gaps in law and governance that have allowed piracy to resurface as a global challenge. It concludes that lessening the incidence of piracy requires a coordinated response involving states, industry, and the coastal people most affected by it. Learn more.

The Governance Commons

The Governance Commons has recently undergone a change in leadership. The core concept remains, and we continue to encourage suggestions by experts who can identify solutions, participate and communicate through the site. We welcome all stakeholders to join the conversation.

To meet the challenges of a dynamic internet platform, The Governance Commons will undergo a transformation designed to meet the needs of our expanded reach. The new system will build off the Commons’ knowledgebase and community to foster greater inclusivity, expertise, and effectiveness. This new system will also continue to encourage community building, particularly in the areas of genocide prevention and supporting the Responsibility to Protect. We encourage participation, discussion and contribution by experts. One Earth Future looks forward to continued engagement on our web site, both in its current and future forms, from issue area experts from civil society, business, and government organizations.

[back to top]

Oceans Beyond Piracy

Visit the Oceans Beyond Piracy Website

Read OBP's recent Op-Ed piece, "Help Somalia fight roots of piracy" featured on CNN International

Oceans Beyond Piracy is One Earth Future's flagship project. By identifying and developing effective, legal and peaceful solutions to maritime piracy, Oceans Beyond Piracy hopes to serve as a model to the worldwide community that there are nonviolent solutions to seemingly intractable problems. Our first mission is to work with the people and states most affected by piracy to shore up the international legal framework for prosecuting suspected pirates.

A Global Problem

In the past few years, the international community has witnessed an increase in maritme piracy. Of particular concern are the waters off the coast of Somalia where in 2010 alone, 53 vessels were hijacked and 1090 seafarers were held hostage.

Despite the presence of over thirty countries cooperating to protect the seas off the Horn of Africa, piracy continues unabated. Navies have reduced the rate of successful hijackings, but pirates have increased their attempts, so the actual number of attacks has increased. Naval patrols in the Gulf of Aden have also driven pirates into a much broader area of operation. Merchant ship crews face an increasingly dangerous situation.

The scourge of piracy increases because there is no effective, international system to deal with the problem. Oceans Beyond Piracy believes that the answers to the piracy problem should come from within the community of stakeholders. OBP has an extensive - and growing - number of experts working to find a solution to piracy. Through meetings and workshops we host, our research and analysis, and our development and encouragement of new cross-sector partnerships, we support the international community in its efforts to bring an end to contemporary maritime piracy. Read more.

[back to top]