Let’s Change How the United Nations Secretary General is Chosen · Global Voices
Elizabeth Rivera

Who is Ban Ki-Moon answerable to? Wikipedia image.
The UN Secretary-General plays a crucial role in tackling global challenges and improving the lives of seven billion people. It is vital that the best person is chosen for the job. But, do you know the selection process is secretive and outdated? Just five countries hold sway over a decision that affects us all.
An online campaign is urging individuals and organizations to push for a more inclusive and transparent process in electing the UN Secretary General, who will take office in 2016.
In this video, the campaign's organisers explain why:
The post of UN Secretary-General is said to be the world’s most impossible job. It is also one of the most important.
The informal steering committee of the 1 for 7 billion campaign includes:
They argue the selection process for the next UN Secretary-General should be:
The campaign included a Thunderclap* on April 27 when a debate on the process took place in the General Assembly. That Thunderclap reached almost 1.3 million people.
The organization's Twitter account expressed pride at seeing some of the campaign's efforts succeed:
Great to see so many of our ten reform proposals getting support in today's debate: http://t.co/NGlS91QZ9E#FindTheBestUNLeader
— 1 for 7 Billion (@1for7billion) April 27, 2015
On the campaign's website, they also have a list of potential candidates endorsed by either their governments or by the press.
1 for 7 billion campaign thunderclap for April 27 debate
It includes several women such as Irina Bokova from Bulgaria, the current Director General of UNESCO, Michelle Bachelet the Chilean President that used to head UN Women, and Amina Mohammed of Nigeria, the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor on post-2015 Development Planning.
The U.N. has thus far never had a female Secretary General.
The campaign's policy platform is available in six languages: English, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, French and Russian.
Some Twitter users have already shared their thoughts on the matter , reflecting on the various countries’ positions at the debate:
The next #UNSG will need to be qualified to address climate change and post-2015 development. #FindTheBestUNLeader
— Tony Fleming (@tonyfleming) April 27, 2015
#SG election and voting does not weaken mandate. It strengthens it. #FindTheBestUNleader@1for7billion
— Maritza Chan (@MaritzaChanV) April 27, 2015
Cuba – by failing to act, are we saying SG selection is a “private matter” for the SC? @1for7billion
— Natalie Samarasinghe (@Natalie_UNA) April 27, 2015
Indonesia – SC should recommend more than 1 candidate&veto shld not apply. Need GA/SC dialogue to create political will @1for7billion
— Natalie Samarasinghe (@Natalie_UNA) April 27, 2015
You can follow the campaign by signing in on to their website, via the Twitter hashtag #FindTheBestUNLeader and the handle @1for7billion.