About Us

The concept of global citizenship lies at the heart of global studies. The idea of individual humans perceiving reality around them from the vantage-point of a global worldview, and acting in the interests of the planet and humanity as a single group, is fundamental to the strengthening of global law and governance.

Global Governance provides a framework of coordination among international organisations, national governments, civil society and the private sector, with the United Nations playing a central role in their coordination. NZCGS focuses on how NZ can play a leading role in providing this framework. 

Global sustainability is the second existential threat facing humanity, equivalent in magnitude and danger to the existence of nuclear weapons. The Centre therefore treats Global Security and Global Sustainability as the two thematic programmes, of equal import and urgency. In many ways, sustainability is a more complicated danger than weapons, because it has to do with how humans conduct their daily lives.

Global security is seen, historically, as the first existential issue for humankind to have had to confront. It traditionally refers to measures taken by states and international organisations including the United Nations, European Union and others to ensure mutual survival and safety. Measures include military action and diplomatic agreements such as treaties and conventions.