No.2|September 2018 Dear Colleagues and Friends, Ten years after the last financial crisis, this year’s Labor Day presented an opportunity to reflect on questions of social justice and political stability, including the state of trade unions and labor relations. In this context, most assessments painted a rather gloomy picture- highlighting major flaws in regulation and redistribution. The UN's 2030 Agenda, adopted by 193 countries in 2015, calls upon the international community to"leave no one behind," but effective implementation of this powerful tenet is still unrealized. Today, the notion of solidarity as a guiding principle for politics and policies needs to be reinforced- both on the national and international level. The rapid erosion of norms such as human rights, rule of law and democracy is a worrying feature of our times. It is our task to forge strong alliances and coalitions to encounter these trends and to find effective responses to global challenges such as climate change, migration and illicit financial flows in a robust multilateral system based on the idea of international solidarity. On the occasion of the opening of the 73rd General Assembly of the United Nations, we are very pleased to share with you some information on upcoming and past activities of the FES New York office. We hope you enjoy this issue of UN in Focus and appreciate your feedback. With best regards, Bettina Luise Rürup Executive Director Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung- New York Office Upcoming Events

9/21:"UNited for a different Migration" The Global Compact on Migration will be formally adopted in December 2018. In light of this historic event, FEPS, FES and partners team-up in support of a new, progressive vision on migration. learn more 9/24: Achieving the SDGs via a More Sustainable Financial Sector To create real potential for the UN’s 2030 Agenda, the financial sector and its largest institutions must be brought back into service of the real, productive economy. learn more 9/24: Can"Regulation from Below" help achieve the SDGs? Bank and finance workers can play a role to support meaningful regulation of the global financial sector to create an enabling economic environment to achieve the SDGs. learn more New Publications "Tipping the Balance" Instead of relying on mechanisms for financial regulation“from above”, this paper argues that employees of banks and financial institutions can collectively assist regulatory efforts“from below”.

learn more "Reforming Bank Governance" Looking back at the failure of reforms since 2008, this paper proposes ways in which“regulation from below” by engaged and empowered bank workers can provide an alternative to a purely “top- down” approach. learn more Recent Activities 9/4:"10 Years from the Last Crisis, We Still Need Effective Financial Regulation" Ten years after the last financial crisis, reform of the global tax system is urgently needed to enhance stability, improve domestic resource mobilization and increase transparency. learn more 8/22:"Towards UN2020: The Case for Strengthening Multilateralism" The 75th anniversary of the United Nations in 2020 is a much needed opportunity for stocktaking, reviewing and strengthening of the multilateral system. learn more

7/19: Luncheon: Taming Global Finance by"Regulation from Below" This luncheon discussion by FESNY and partners addressed how unions at banks can build a sustainable and equitable future for the global finance sector. learn more 7/16:"Bargaining for the Common Good in the World of Global Finance" Banks are still creating risky financial instruments faster than policymakers can regulate them, and bank workers around the globe are under pressure to sell these products. learn more 6/20:"Preventing Mass Atrocity Crimes - a Responsibility Not to Veto?" Should there be a norm against the use of veto power in cases of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes? learn more 6/21:"Preparing the UN2020 Summit" FESNY and partners held a strategy session to prepare for a proposed UN2020 summit and generate support for the initiative behind it. learn more

5/17:"President or Paper Tiger? Strengthening the Role of the President of the UN General Assembly" It is time to strengthen the functioning of the Presidency of the General Assembly so that the office can deliver more effectively on the expectations of both UN Member States and the global public. learn more 5/15:"Labour Migration and the Global Compact: Ensuring Rights, Protection and a Decent Work Agenda" Employment prospects in destination countries and the lack of decent work opportunities in origin countries are key drivers of contemporary migration. learn more 5/15:"Resilient Social Contracts Sustaining Peace" To better understand the relationship between state and citizen, it is important to examine what drives inclusive and resilient social contracts within different societies. learn more Visit our Website Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung New York Office| 747 Third Avenue, Suite 34D +1 212 687 0208| info@fesny.org| www.fesny.org STAY CONNECTED

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