Representation of future generations

Abstract

International institutions that purport to represent future generations have the potential to act as powerful vehicles for promoting sustainability. The normative basis for this approach rests on an assumption that international institutions ought to promote justice – including intergenerational justice. The massive bias against future generations in contemporary rule-making and institutions justifies international institutions with a mandate to represent future generations as a means for redressing this imbalance. The democratic ideal also justifies such institutions which can provide a voice for future generations that are inevitably impacted by contemporary decision-making. These normative arguments are explored in relation to a proposed UN Commissioner for future generations. This case study addresses the question of how a mandate for such an institution should best be framed – in terms of human rights or sustainability, and also the democratic legitimacy of such institutions. The chapter concludes with some proposals for further research.