This toolkit includes sample social media copy and graphics for you to take action online to support the 1 for 8 Billion campaign for a fair, open and inclusive process to appoint the next UN Secretary-General.
Handle (LinkedIn): @1 for 8 Billion
Hashtags: #1for8Billion #MadameSecretaryGeneral #SGselection #MadameSG #NextSG # WomanSG
Background
The selection process for the next Secretary-General is due to begin in late 2025. The UN Secretary-General has a crucial role in mobilising action to address the global challenges we face. This time, the stakes are even higher, as the UN faces collapse due to funding cuts and political pressures.
Even though the Secretary-General is appointed by the UN General Assembly – which includes all of the UN’s member states – and is there to serve the world’s people, it was made in secret by a handful of states in the Security Council for 70 years. There was no public list of candidates, no job description or formal interview process.
That changed in 2015, when the 1 for 7 Billion campaign built a coalition of over 750 organizations and campaigned for an open race. For the first time, the global public knew who the candidates were and read their vision statements. All member states and civil society had a chance to hear from candidates and ask them questions.
But there is still much work to be done. The selection process still puts too much power in the hands of the permanent members of the UN Security Council: China, France, Russia, UK and US. They still recommend just one candidate to the UN General Assembly to ‘rubberstamp’. Public participation is limited and tokenistic. And we have still not had a woman Secretary-General, 80 years after the organization was founded.
That is why 1 for 8 Billion has re-launched to finish the job: we want a fair, open, inclusive and accountable process. We want the best possible person appointed to the job. And we strongly believe that it’s time to appoint a woman.
You can read more about our proposals on our policy platform. It outlines reforms, best practices and voluntary action that states can take to improve the process.
How to take part:
Become an NGO Supporter.
Join our mailing list.
Share the campaign on social media (see resources below).
Promote 1 for 8 Billion’s policy recommendations to your elected representative, and let them know you are supporting our campaign (find out whether your state is supporting a woman SG here).
Sample social media copy:
We are supporting the @1 for 8 Billion’s call for a fair, open and inclusive process to appoint the next UN Secretary-General.
The UN Secretary-General has a unique role in mobilising action to address the complex global challenges we face. Governments, civil society and the public must be given a chance to shape the selection process, not only the most powerful, in order to find the best candidate for the job.
Join us: 1for8billion.org/ngo-supporter
We’re supporting @1 for 8 Billion’s campaign for a fair and inclusive process to appoint the next Secretary-General of the UN.
The UN was founded to serve “We the peoples” of the world. “We the peoples” therefore have a right to have a say over who is chosen, and how.
Best practice in this process is crucial for building the more credible, more effective UN that the world desperately needs. Join us: 1for8billion.org/ngo-supporter
We are joining @1 for 8 Billion’s call for the first woman Secretary-General of the UN.
Beyond just a symbolic change, we need a feminist woman leader who is equipped to tackle global challenges and champion equality and rights for all.
Find out more about the campaign here: 1for8billion.org/
After 80 years, it’s time for a woman to lead the United Nations!
The UN’s normative power is waning and historical injustice can no longer be tolerated - we need a feminist woman leader who reflects the future we want and the UN we need to get there.
Find out more about the campaign here: 1for8billion.org/
