The United Nations has developed a first draft of a World Charter of Local Self-government and hopes to have the final Charter presented for adoption by the United Nations Commission for Human Settlements in 2001.

Just what is a World Charter of Local Self-government?

"This consultation document represents the start of an important and ambitious partnership project between the United Nations and the local levels of government. Its aim is nothing less than to draw up an internationally agreed, adaptable framework for the practice of local democracy, as a vital contribution to the improvement of peoples living conditions in all continents and regions."

"The adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Habitat Agenda, including its Global Plan of Action, in December 1996 provides the political mandate for advancing work on a World Charter of Local Self-Government. Once adopted following an extensive consultation process, the Charter will be designed to offer an internationally agreed template for progressive but flexible implementation of the Member States commitment to decentralisation as set out in the Istanbul Declaration and in the Habitat Agenda. The underpinning of the recent decentralisation and democratisation trends in many countries by the constitutional anchoring of local self-government on the basis of internationally recognised principles can make a contribution of crucial importance to the implementation of the Habitat Agenda. Providing a clear and stable constitutional/legal basis for local government is an essential foundation for establishing local authorities position as partners in the system of governance of all countries.  This in turn will enable them to fulfil their true role in leadership of their communities and in the application of local peoples energy, imagination and initiative to the pursuit of the twin goals of adequate shelter for all and
sustainable human settlements development in an urbanising world."

"Article 2 - Constitutional and legal foundation for local self-government

"The principle of local self-government shall be recognised in national legislation, and where practicable guaranteed in the constitution."

Our Constitution assumes the principle of local self-government and proscribes the limits on the central government.  To our dismay we have ignored those limits over the last seven or eight decades.

"Article 3 - Concept of local self-government

"1.  Local self-government denotes the right and the ability of local authorities, within the limits of the law, to regulate and manage a substantial share of public affairs under their own responsibility and in the interests of the local population."

Note the little phrase, 'within the limits of the law.'

"2.  This right shall be exercised by councils or assemblies composed of members freely elected by secret ballot on the basis of direct, equal, universal suffrage, and which may possess executive organs responsible to them."

"Article 4 - Scope of local self-government

"1.  Local authorities shall have full discretion to exercise their initiative with regard to all matters which are not excluded by law from their competence nor assigned to any other
authority."

At any time the central authority that has given you these rights can, by law, take them away.

"Article 6 - Appropriate administrative structures and resources for the tasks of local authorities

"3.  The conditions of service of local government employees shall be such as to permit the recruitment and retention of high-quality staff on the basis of professional competence
and experience, and of gender equality; to this end adequate training opportunities, remuneration and career prospects shall be provided."

Anyone for Affirmative Action?

"Article 8 - Supervision of local authorities' activities

"1.  Any supervision of local authorities may only be exercised according to such procedures and in such cases as are provided for by the constitution or by law."

Local autonomy is fine, just as long as it meets the criteria established from above.

"Article 9 - Financial resources of local authorities

"5.  The protection of financially weaker local authorities requires a system of vertical and horizontal financial equalisation.

Once more we return to the central theme of equalization.

"Article 12 - International cooperation

"1.  Local authorities' right of association shall include that of belonging to international associations of local authorities.

"2.  Local authorities shall also be entitled, by law or international treaties, to cooperate with their counterparts in other countries, including in transfrontier regions.

"3.  Local authorities shall be involved, in the spirit of partnership, in the negotiation and implementation of international plans of action concerning their roles and areas of responsibility."

The "globalization" of governments.  National sovereignty becomes a thing of the past.  The New World Order is in full control.