A Fork in the Road: Conversations on the Work of the High Level Panel On Threats, Challenges, and Change

There is strong support for the decision of the Secretary-General to put the effectiveness and relevance of collective security on the world’s agenda.

This paper presents a wide set of reflections on the work of the Panel. There is a genuine and broad awareness that collective response to global challenges is in dire need of repair and upgrade: in concepts, in procedures, in institutions, and in commitment. In various and sometimes also contradicting ways participants have identified where the problems are.

Proposals for possible solutions have been made as well. The deliberations clearly express the urgency of the task of the Panel. Indeed, (1) the recommendations of the Panel will have to address the concerns of all; and (2) going beyond analysis, the Panel will have to put forward bold proposals to set a compelling agenda to shape collective responses to meet the world’s challenges.