2008 Elections

The world’s most pressing challenges are global in nature and and require international cooperation to solve. The United Nations is the world’s platform for international dialogue and action, and constructive engagement with the UN is in the interest of the United States.

The Better World Campaign’s 2008 election initiatives reflect our ongoing work to enhance the capacity of the United Nations to tackle key global challenges such as: political instability, climate change, humanitarian crises, nuclear proliferation, childhood diseases like malaria, the spread of HIV/AIDS, extreme poverty, and the rights of women and girls.

On Day One
The next President can offer a bold new vision for American Leadership in the world. Be part of the debate—tell us your idea for solving the world's most pressing international issues on day one.

Candidate Questionnaire
The Better World Campaign and the United Nations Association of the USA asked the Presidential and Congressional candidates to give their views on the U.S.–UN relationship. Check out their responses.  Don't see your candidate's questionnaire?  Ask them to filled one out.

Policy Perspectives

Don't Go it Alone: America's Interest in International Cooperation
An executive summary compilation of the nine papers commissioned by the Better World Campaign to help inform the 2008 Presidential campaigns in the United States and to provide recommendations for the next Administration.

The Future of Human Rights: Restoring America's Leadership
By William F. Schulz
Schulz, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, explains steps the next President can take to close the gap between America's domestic policies and international standards to improve the U.S. reputation throughout the globe.

Poverty: Combating the Global Crisis
By John W. Sewell
Sewell, Senior Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, explains how the next Administration can work with the world to fight global poverty. Also: Read John Sewell's Memo to the Next President

New Directions for Democracy Promotion
By Kenneth Wollack and Lorne Craner
Wollack, President of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, and Craner, President of the International Republican Institute, discuss how the United States should remain engaged in democracy promotion. Read Paper

U.S. Global Leadership to Safeguard our Climate, Security, and Economy 
By Nigel Purvis
Purvis, President of Climate Advisors, illustrates how climate change impacts critical U.S. international affairs and security interests, and why international cooperation is key. Read Paper

Peace and Stability Operations: Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Administration
By William J. Durch
Durch, Senior Associate at the Henry L. Stimson Center, offers strategies for enhancing international cooperation to address global challenges and advance U.S. interests. Read Paper

A New Agenda for Girls' and Women's Health and Rights
By Adrienne Germain
Germain, President of the International Women's Health Coalition, writes that a concrete agenda for women's and young people's health and human rights can foster a global coalition for a more secure, healthy, and prosperous world. Read Paper

The United Nations and Iraq
By Carlos Pascual
Brookings Institution scholar and U.S. foreign policy expert Carlos Pascual explores the role and necessity of the work of the United Nations in international efforts to stabilize Iraq. Read paper

Reducing the Global Nuclear Danger: International Cooperation, the Indispensable Security Imperative
By Charles B. Curtis
Charles Curtis, President of the Nuclear Threat Initiative, writes that international cooperation is required to keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists and to thwarting nuclear proliferation. Read Paper | Key Points

The New American Consensus on International Cooperation
New Opinion Research released by the Better World Campaign and United Nations Foundation shows American voters reject “Going It Alone” and embrace international cooperation, November 13, 2007.
View the Presentation | Blog Post from The Washington Post