New journal promotes global public policy - at long last

The launch of new academic journals rarely gets much popular press - and for good reason. Too often, academic journals don't really speak to the needs of the public.

But there is a new journal out there that is worth knowing about - especially if you are interested in global issues that 'need global governance'. Yes, it is definately academic - but it is for practitioners too, and it is a journal that might make a real difference in promoting good work for global sustainability.

The launch of the Global Policy Journal in 2010 was the cumulation of David Held's 20+ years of experience on global institutions that are 'no longer fit for purpose'. The Journal proposes that the evident changes in finance, climate change and security are all aspects of a 'hydra headed crises' where old paradigms are failing current needs. The journal is the first 'space' for global discussions on global institutions and policy that integrates practice and theory. They are now onto their second issue - with a fabulous website, events, reviews and blogs all lined up.

Held argues for global governing system that can go beyond national politics. Tells the story of the modern economic system, and suggests need for new global regulatory framework for finance and a global medium of exchange (rather than reliance on a single national currency) and to transform away from consumer/security-intensive model towards a sustainable, inequality-reducing model. Then links to insecure spaces/ungoverned spaces. He and others argue for a need for global policy regarding security forces - and other global challenges.

Exciting? Yes - because for too long, sustainable development has been 'talking global' but hasn't had the forums needed to enable that talk to go anywhere. This is still talk (though with its focus on practitioners as well as on theorists, it is going in the right direction), but at least it is bringing threads, people and ideas together.