Introducing Beyond

By Seheir Kansouh Habib

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Beyond is a journal for those interested in public and global affairs. Besides offering a forum for debate around developmental issues, it also constitutes a marketplace of ideas for academics and development practitioners, as well as laymen and women, and youth.

Three "zero" issues of Beyond were published by the Association of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS-Egypt) over the last couple of years. Today, we are proud to cooperate with Al-Ahram Weekly by offering the journal to their readership on a quarterly basis.

"In Larger Freedom" was unanimously selected as the central theme for the first issue of Beyond. Why?

Readers may agree that so long as there are people in the world there will be a need for a system that helps bond them together, notwithstanding difficulties, notwithstanding clashes. Their very survival requires that the system does not fall apart. This system remains, in our opinion, the United Nations.

Acknowledging flaws in the system that were bound to grow over 60 years of dealing with a world in crisis, In Larger Freedom: Towards Development, Security and Human Rights for All is Kofi Annan's proposed agenda for reform and renewal. The September 2005 Summit is set to review this proposal, and take decisions accordingly.

We will leave to the reader the task of browsing the pages of Beyond, to know more about the In Larger Freedom proposal, the issues involved and the debate this proposal is creating worldwide. Sooner or later, decisions will be taken that will affect each of our lives, wherever we may be. We felt it our duty to entice others to form a learned opinion, and take part in the debate before such decisions are taken.