NGO Open letter to Member States of the General Assembly on the Selection Process of the UN Secretary-General

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A letter by 13 NGOs listed in the right column

To: Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Representatives to the United
Nations

Excellencies,

The selection of the new Secretary-General in 2016 will be one of the most important decisions the General Assembly will make in the next ten years. The new Secretary-General will have to address a world confronted with increasingly dangerous civil wars, humanitarian and environmental disasters, terrorism, regressive development, economic and financial turmoil, and inequality. The need for global leadership and international cooperation is greater than ever. It is crucial that the best and most highly qualified candidate is selected to become UN Secretary-General.

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The importance and complexity of the office has changed radically during the last 69 years, as have the threats and challenges to the entire UN system. The leadership of successive UN Secretaries-General – as chief administrative officers, diplomats, mediators, and representatives of the UN purposes and principles – has been fundamental in shaping the work of the United Nations. They have provided a critical public international voice on key issues of peace and security, development, and human rights.

The procedure the General Assembly adopted in 1946 to select the UN Secretary-General is significantly outdated, and is not compatible with selecting the best possible candidate. It falls far short of modern recruitment practices for high-level international appointments, as well as of the UN’s own standards and ideals. We highlight, for instance, that no woman has ever been selected to become UN Secretary-General, and that few have been seriously considered.

In the last twenty years, many international organisations, including the UN, have made major improvements and reforms in procedural mechanisms to enhance the transparency and accountability of high-level appointments. It is imperative that the selection process for the next UN Secretary-General is changed to meet the higher standards that the UN General Assembly, UN experts and civil society have persistently called for. A more open and inclusive selection process engaging all UN Member States will also help to revitalize the UN and enhance its global authority.

A group of civil society organisations strongly committed to upholding the UN Charter and its values has agreed on a set of principles and made proposals that form the basis for urgent and credible reform. The proposals are realistic and do not require an amendment of the UN Charter. Many of them have already been endorsed by a majority of UN Member States.

They include publication of formal selection criteria, a call for nominations and a clear timetable for the selection process that enables adequate assessment of candidates, including through an official list of candidates and the submission of candidate vision statements.

We believe that all Members States of the General Assembly can and should play a more prominent and meaningful role in the appointment process.

For example, the General Assembly should hold open sessions that enable Member States, and, in accordance with General Assembly procedures, other relevant stakeholders, to meet the nominees and consider their candidacies. The Assembly should request that candidates undertake not to make promises on specific senior appointments in advance of the Assembly decision on the Secretary-General appointment.

Furthermore, the Security Council could be requested to present or recommend more than one candidate to the General Assembly. Another recommendation is for a single term of a non-renewable period of seven years, which would help the Secretary-General to pursue a longer-term agenda without the disruption of re-election campaigning.

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(Click here for the French version of this article or click here for the Spanish version.)

Question(s) related to this article:

What is the United Nations doing for a culture of peace? – See comments below

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The proposals are described in the attached policy platform for a new global campaign: 1 for 7 Billion – find the best UN leader. More organisations and individuals from around the world are joining this campaign every day.

As the United Nations is preparing to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the UN Charter next year, we hope that Member States of the General Assembly and the Security Council will seize this historic opportunity to initiate a key set of basic reforms, including those outlined in our document, to ensure that the best and most qualified candidate is selected to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Yours sincerely,

Dinah Musindarwezo, Executive Director
African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET)

Salil Shetty, Secretary-General
Amnesty International

Ricken Patel, Executive Director
Avaaz

Danny Sriskandarajah, Secretary-General
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation

Yasmeen Hassan, Global Director
Equality Now

Evelyn Balais-Serrano, Executive Director
Forum-Asia

Jens Martens, Director
Global Policy Forum

John Burroughs, Executive Director
Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy

Roberto Bissio, Coordinator
Social Watch

Chee Yoke Ling, Director
Third World Network

Eleanor Blomstrom, Program Director
Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO)

William R. Pace, Executive Director
World Federalist Movement-Institute for Global Policy

Bonian Golmohammadi, Secretary-General
World Federation of United Nations Associations

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, global, United Nations,

Landmark Climate Statement Signed in Ontario

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

A news release from the Office of the Premier

Ontario and 22 other states and regions have signed the first-ever Pan-American action statement on climate change. The Climate Action Statement highlights the urgency of combatting climate change, affirms that state, provincial and municipal governments are leaders in achieving impactful global climate action and acknowledges the need to work together to continue reducing greenhouse gas pollution.

climate
Sub-jurisdictional leaders convene on stage at Ontario’s Climate Summit of the Americas. (Twitter image: @environmentont)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne led the signing today at the Climate Summit of the Americas. The statement includes commitments to:

* Support carbon pricing;
* Ensure public reporting;
* Take action in key sectors;
* Meet existing greenhouse gas reduction agreements.

Signatories include representatives of states and regions from across the Americas, including Brazil, Mexico, the U.S. and Canada.

The statement builds on recent agreements, including California’s Under 2 Memorandum of Understanding, which stresses the need for immediate action to limit global warming to 2°C, and the Compact of States and Regions, which commits partner jurisdictions to annual public reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. The statement calls for greater national action at the United Nations Conference of the Parties in Paris, and support for regional measures.

It also builds on Ontario’s actions to address climate change, which include the announcement of a cap and trade program to limit the main sources of greenhouse gas pollution, the establishment of a 2030 mid-term target for greenhouse gas pollution reduction, the closure of all coal-fired power plants and the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history, which includes the electrification of the province’s commuter rail network.

Combatting climate change is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives and building a secure retirement savings plan.

Quick Facts

Combatting climate change creates new economic opportunities in renewable energy and clean technologies. Ontario’s environmental sector has 3,000 firms, employs 65,000 people, and is worth an estimated $8 billion in annual revenues and $1 billion in export earnings.

According to the Conference Board of Canada, every $100 million invested in Ontario in climate-related technologies is estimated to generate an increase of $137 million in GDP and 1,400 new jobs.

A Canada2020 poll shows that 84 per cent of Canadians believe that prosperous countries such as Canada have an obligation to show international leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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Question for this article:
North America, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Reflection on the Climate Summit of the Americas: A new sense of empowerment & collaboration from sub-nationals across the continent

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

An article by Mike Morrice, Sustainability Colab

Typically, I’m not too interested in large meetings of political leaders discussing climate change. Time and again it’s been proven that gatherings of this kind don’t produce much of an outcome, and I’m disinterested in words without action. Having been at the Climate Summit of the Americas (CSOTA) this past week though, I can say this: something has changed. A new rallying cry has emerged, amongst states and provinces across the continent. Whether from the Governor of California, the Premier of Quebec, or the Environment Minister from my home province of Ontario, the message at CSOTA was the same: subnational jurisdictions are ready to act, regardless of the political will (or lack thereof) coming from their federal governments. And they want to act together.

climate
Sub-jurisdictional leaders convene on stage at Ontario’s Climate Summit of the Americas. (Twitter image: @environmentont)

Seven years ago, I was deeply frustrated with the lack of international and federal action on climate change. Though I was also convinced communities across the country could show the leadership I knew was desperately needed.

The tension between the two led me to start Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR). In doing so, space was created in my community for businesses to learn from one another’s sustainability journeys. Other communities similarly began to take action through groups like the C40 and FCM’s Partners for Climate Protection Program. States and provinces were a mixed bag. Some like BC led by implementing North America’s first carbon tax, others like Ontario joined the Western Climate Initiative though didn’t actively pursue putting a price on carbon.

In the intervening years, so much has changed. Ontario has phased out coal-fired electricity and introduced the Green Energy Act to spur an unprecedented take-up of renewable energy in this province. Cities emerged as a leading voice on climate change and a source of hope for many, and my energy has continued to be focused here. Having started Sustainability CoLab to share the program we piloted at SWR, 12% of the workforces Niagara and Waterloo Regions are now setting targets to reduce their carbon impact by almost 60,000 tonnes, while organizations across the province are launching similar programs, from the Climate-Wise Business Network in York Region to Carbon 613 in Ottawa.

The federal government, however, has continued to give little attention to the climate crisis. If anything, they’ve dug their heels in, continually positioning a false choice between the economy and the environment. It’s a damaging and unfortunate narrative that has cast Canada as a villain on the international stage.

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Question for this article:

Despite the vested interests of companies and governments, Can we make progress toward sustainable development?

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And so it’s on this backdrop that #CSOTA felt like a public declaration for a new, more collaborative and more empowered approach from subnational jurisdictions across the continent.

Time and again I heard: there is no need for us to wait for others to act. There’s no time to waste. And collectively, regions and states stated their readiness to harness their considerable influence.

Tangibly, the Summit produced 22 state and region signatories to a Climate Action Statement, itself linking to action in several areas, including commitments to join any one of the “Under 2 MOU”, to sign the Compact of States and Regions, and to support carbon pricing. The Under 2 MOU is of particular significance, underscoring an interest both in limiting warming to 2oC and to bringing GHG emissions down to 2 tonnes per capital. Both are ambitious and needed goals.

One sign that I’m optimistic these politicians are serious about their promises goes beyond the words they used to describe the crisis, which ranged from metaphors evoking the sinking of the Titanic to post-WWII nation building.

Their actions speak louder: In her opening address, I expected Premier Kathleen Wynne to be as passionate and persuasive as she was; in her words: “we have to find a better way to build prosperity”. Just two days before the opening of the Pan Am games in her province’s capital, I wouldn’t have been surprised if after her keynote she ducked out to attend a myriad of other public events, ceremonies, you name it. Instead, she stayed for the next day and a half of open and closed sessions, concluding with the signing of the Climate Action Statement. In her words and her actions she was clear: the Premier wants Ontario to lead by example and she’s strongly encouraging others to join in.

North America, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

16 Successful Projects Highlighting Permaculture Use

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

An article by Danielle Nierenberg, Savannah Knell, and Emily Nink for Foodtank

Permaculture is an innovative ethics and design based process used to make agriculture more sustainable, restore soil, conserve water, and redirect waste streams. The process is inspired by the everyday relationships found in nature. The primary goal of adopting permaculture principles is to empower individuals to be their own producers and move away from being dependent consumers. These techniques are practiced in very different ways globally based on climate and resources particular to the region. While there is variety in the methodology of permaculture practices, the holistic approach remains constant. The easy to remember primary ethics of permaculture include earth care, people care, and resource share. 

permaculture

Permaculture is an innovative ethics and design based process used to make agriculture more sustainable, restore soil, conserve water, and redirect waste streams. The process is inspired by the everyday relationships found in nature. The primary goal of adopting permaculture principles is to empower individuals to be their own producers and move away from being dependent consumers. These techniques are practiced in very different ways globally based on climate and resources particular to the region. While there is variety in the methodology of permaculture practices, the holistic approach remains constant. The easy to remember primary ethics of permaculture include earth care, people care, and resource share. 

There has recently been a call for research on the long-term benefits and participation rates of individuals adopting the principles. According to Scott Pittman, the director of the National Permaculture Institute, approximately 100,000 to 150,000 students have completed the certificate course with around 50,000 students from the United States. There is a wide body of literature confirming many success stories of permaculture being implemented around the globe. According to Appleseed Permaculture, over 1,000,000 people are now certified in permaculture in more than 140 countries with more than 4,000 projects on the ground. 

The use of permaculture has been instrumental in combating malnutrition in Malawi. Never Ending Food is an organization dedicated to Permaculture and nutrition, Africa. Stacia and Kristof Nordin focus on designing systems for sustainable living. The organization has been facilitating various sessions and Permaculture Design Courses throughout Malawi. Because Malawi has a 12-month growing season, access to water, and a large genetic base of local food crops, the incorporation of permaculture has the potential to produce large amounts of food throughout the year and bring about positive agricultural change. By making low-cost improvements to family farms, Malawian families can increase their overall household food security. To increase awareness about the benefits of permaculture, the Kusamala Institute of Agriculture and Ecology implemented the Red Soil Project to create a means for farmers to share knowledge and experience about the process. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) reported that permaculture is a viable solution to help combat food insecurity for the 15 percent of the global population that’s malnourished. Permaculture farmers in Malawi have on average, better food security, larger diet diversity, and higher crop yield compared to conventional farmers. 

The Worldwide Permaculture Network has published an extensive database on which to understand better what projects exist all over the world. The site allows you to search for projects based on keywords, climate zone, and types of projects to better filter your results. Currently, the site features 1957 permaculture projects around the globe. 

To get a better sense of what projects are happening across the globe, Food Tank highlights 16 successful projects featuring permaculture use: 

1. Ferme MiKu Valley Farm – MiKu is located in rural Eastern Ontario, Canada and is a successful demonstration and educational site. The farm spans 68 acres and is home to a small livestock group, expanding market gardens, food forest development, and an educational site with a permaculture design. They welcome wwoofers in three seasons to help promote their practice of permaculture and gain hands on experience.

2. Findhorn Ecovillage – The Findhorn Foundation community is an experiment in conscious living, an education center, and ecovillage located on the west coast of Scotland in the United Kingdom. The Foundation prides itself on being sustainable not only with regard to environmental terms, but also in social, economic, and spiritual terms. Findhorn offers a permaculture design course to provide a comprehensive introduction to permaculture principles, design practices, and their application. 

3. Green Beat Farm – Green Beat is a demonstrative, productive, experimental, and educational farm built on permaculture principles located in Tulum, Mexico. The farm produces vegetables and microgreens for local restaurants, Hotels, and community members. Main crops produced include Arugula, Chard, Kale, Mustard Greens, and Broccoli. Green Beat additionally hosts a large volunteer program that welcomes individuals from all over the globe. 

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Question for this article:

The role of organic farming, Can it help preserve the planet and end world hunger?

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4. Habiba Organic Farm – Located in Nuweiba, Eygpt, Habiba Organic Farm is a former piece of desert on a Bedouin settlement turned into fertile land. The primary interest of Habiba farmers is to experiment to develop appropriate farming techniques for the Sinai Peninsula. This area has previously been difficult in which to grow viable crops. The farm has been successful in introducing a number of crops that can thrive in desert conditions. 

5. Happy Food Farm – Based in Nanning, China, this farm grows fruit, vegetables, and flowers, and breeds fish and chicken. The farm is almost entirely self-sustained on the fruits and vegetables it grows. Furthermore, the farm has a dedicated practice to teaching local children about the benefits of permaculture and has developed educational programming. 

6. IDEP Foundation – IDEP is a local Indonesian NGO based in Bali, Indonesia. The organization develops and delivers training, community programs, and media related to sustainable development through the permaculture method and disaster management. Their work throughout the foundation covers four areas that make up the cycle of resilience including permaculture, disaster preparedness, emergency response, and community recovery. 

7. Institute of Permaculture El Salvador – This permaculture movement is a grassroots organization of sustainable farmers and makes up an alliance of three local permaculture associations: The Ecological Association of Permaculturists of Suchitoto, The Ecological Association of Indigenous Kakawira Farmers, and The Association of Permaculturists of Torola. Their mission is to promote permaculture for the development of a healthier, wiser, and more ecologically sustainable society. 

8. Koanga Institute – Koanga is home to New Zealand’s largest heritage organic seed collection. The Institute provides a home for the Permaculture Research Institute of Wairoa, New Zealand and is internationally known for producing competent and knowledgeable students and teachers. Workshops are geared toward individuals who are interested in living sustainably and empowering change in their communities. 

9. Permaculture Association of South Australia – PASA is a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to promote, practice, and represent permaculture in South Australia. The organization focuses on the following permaculture ethics: Care for the Earth, Care of People, Limiting Consumption, and Fair Distribution of Resources. PASA provides a means for local groups to be connected to one another and find out about projects in South Australia, Australia, and the rest of the globe. 

10. Permaculture in Ukraine – This NGO aims to unify the efforts of those who have successfully applied permaculture techniques in their households and to give them an opportunity to share experiences and support others. Their mission is to spread knowledge and promote the idea of permaculture in society. Future goals include establishing the School of Permaculture in Ukraine in order to provide permaculture instruction at a high level, taking into consideration local conditions and needs.

11. Permaculture Institute of North America – PINA supports students and experienced practitioners of permaculture in North America and Hawaii. The primary goals of PINA include maintaining professional standards in permaculture design, teaching, and practice. The grassroots organization additionally supports permaculture education through a certification process that recognizes exceptional achievement and excellence.

12. Permaculture Institute Thailand (PIT) – The Institute brands themselves as a Thailand permaculture support organization that encourages, supports, and facilitates all forms of education, demonstration, and farmers associated with practicing permaculture. The mission of PIT is to spread the ethics, principles, and theory throughout Thailand, to encourage a sustainable livelihood, and to address the local issues of poverty. 

13. Philly Permaculture – This organization serves as a local forum for all things permaculture based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are showing several videos about mushrooms and will explore and discuss how mushrooms can be used as a healing agent in addition to a main ingredient in vegetarian based recipes. They will also be covering basic cultivation techniques. Each month they select a different educational film to watch and discuss how to incorporate what they learned into their permaculture practices. 

14. Regenerative Kitchen Garden & Food Forest – Located in Anjuna, India, this project focuses on ecosystem regeneration of land that for 20 years had vegetation systematically burnt. The regenerative mission consisted of diversifying the crops by planting five coconut trees, neem trees, and legumes. 

15. Senegal Permaculture Project – This project is based in Sare Suma, Senegal and was implemented at under the request of a local Senegalese landowner to encourage sustainability and local growth. The project is focused on using a local 11-acre farm as a demonstration and educational site for fellow villagers. The permaculture systems demonstrated will include harvesting water, planting trees, permaculture guilds, building soil fertility, and animals in a permaculture system. 

16. Third Millennium Alliance – The Alliance emphasizes a holistic approach to preserve the last remnants of Ecuador’s coastal Pacific Forest and to empower local communities to restore and preserve what was lost. Their practices encourage economic and environmental sustainability in the region for the local communities. To date, they have planted over 20,000 trees and developed an experimental fruit tree orchard with over 50 species of food trees, a vegetable garden, and a tree nursery. 

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

global, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Boletín español, el 01 de julio 2015

. . . RECHAZAR EL TERRORISMO SIN VIOLENCIA

Los medios de comunicación comerciales, siempre buscando noticias sobre violencia, se complacen en contarnos sobre todas las atrocidades cometidas por Boko Haram y el estado islámico, los sucesores de Al Qaeda. Ellos nos dan la impresión de que hemos encontrado un nuevo enemigo y que no tenemos más remedio que ir a la guerra. Ellos no dejan mucho espacio para planteamientos no militares contra el terrorismo. Sin embargo, existen estos planteamientos, como vemos este mes en los artículos de CPNN.

Vamos a empezar con la estrategia general de “un programa cultural para rechazar el extremismo y la violencia” por Ismail Serageldin. Su propuesta no es ni abstracta ni académica. Se basa en la amplia experiencia de la organización que dirige, la Biblioteca de Alejandría, Egipto. Él trae “semillas de esperanza” para una transformación cultural en el mundo árabe como una alternativa al fanatismo y el “terrorismo bárbaro desplegada por las fuerzas del llamado “Estado islámico” en Irak y Siria.”

Según los “Elders:, “Tal vez hay otra opción que la opción militar, pero al mismo tiempo, siempre es importante entender como las operaciones militares no pueden tener éxito en el tratamiento de este tipo de fuerzas si no hay una estrategia social y política en áreas donde estas fuerzas no están activos.” Si la fuerza debe ser utilizada, debe ser “después que haber construido un programa político y social sobre qué hacer a continuación”.

Los “Elders” son claros cuando piden planteamientos no violentos. Las intervenciones militares en el pasado han sido una de las principales causas del aumento del terrorismo en los últimos años. Escuche lo que dijo Mary Robinson, “Creo que muchos problemas se derivan de una guerra increíblemente perjudicial e injustificada en Irak. La humillo, causó “shock and awe” en todos los niveles. Creo que esta guerra rompió una confianza que va a ser muy difícil de restaurar”.

Serageldin es muy claro que una de las principales causas del éxito del Estado terrorista islámico está “la invasión estadounidense de Irak en 2003 y la posterior mala gestión de líneas étnicas y religiosas en esta sociedad. Esto ha dado un golpe traumático en la confianza de los musulmanes. Para ellos, esa invasión directa por Estados Unidos y sus aliados en Irak y Afganistán, fue como una humillación. Además, el asesinato sistemático de civiles utilizando drones en Pakistán, Afganistán, Yemen y otros lugares sirven para inflamar los sentimientos de victimización que alimentaron la “desesperación emocional” de la mayorías de musulmanes”.

De acuerdo con el especialista en construcción de la paz ‘John Paul Lederach, lo que se necesita es una política no violenta de compromiso con las personas de los grupos que se han llamados como terroristas, en lugar de una política de aislamiento. Por ejemplo, tenemos que colaborar con las mujeres de Siria, en el corazón de los países aterrorizados. Ellos están promoviendo actualmente una cultura de paz a través de sus compromisos. Luchan para detener el matrimonio infantil, para unir a los refugiados y las comunidades de acogida, escucha a los grupos marginados, reabrir las escuelas, ayudar a las familias sobrevivir, reformar los tribunales corruptos, inmunizar a los niños, desarmar los jóvenes y movilizar un movimiento para paz. Un excelente ejemplo de este compromiso es la obra de Nonviolent Peaceforce, tal como se describe en el artículo: “actualización urgente de Sudán del Sur.”

El ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Sierra Leona habla con sabiduría en su discurso ante la Organización de la Conferencia Islámica. Frente a una “creciente ola de insurgencias terroristas y disturbios en todo el mundo, debemos esforzarnos por tomar iniciativas que van desde la acción humanitaria a la mediación con el fin de apoyar y promover la cultura de paz y la tolerancia entre los pueblos”.

En Benin, la conferencia para una “movilización general contra el peligro de Boko Haram” concluyó que “La fuerza militar no será suficiente para aniquilar el movimiento yihadista. Lo necesario es restablecer la confianza entre los fieles de diferentes religiones para que juntos construyan una mejor sociedad y de paz movilizando el entusiasmo en torno a las tareas concretas reconocido por todos”.

      

TOLERANCIA Y SOLIDARIDAD

benin

Benin encourages interfaith dialogue against Boko Haram

IGUALDAD HOMBRES/MUJERES



Argentina: Multitudinaria marcha contra la violencia de género frente al Congreso

DESARME Y SEGURIDAD



Gaza prepares to welcome Freedom Flotilla III

DERECHOS HUMANOS



Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Canada guilty of cultural genocide against Indigenous peoples
LIBERTAD DE INFORMACIÓN



FARC-EP y Gobierno colombiano crearán Comisión de la Verdad

PARTICIPACIÓN DEMOCRATICA



The Challenge: A Cultural Program to Reject Extremism and Violence

DESAROLLO SUSTENTABLE



FAO: La cifra de víctimas del hambre baja de los 800 millones: el próximo objetivo es la erradicación

EDUCACIÓN PARA PAZ



Colombia: La cátedra de la paz
Uncategorized

Bulletin Français 1 juillet 2015

. . . AFFRONTER LE TERRORISME SANS VIOLENCE

Les médias commerciaux, toujours avides de gros titres sur la violence, se complaisent à raconter toutes les atrocités commises par Boko  Haram et par l’Etat islamique,  héritiés d’Al-Qaida. 

Commençons  par la stratégie globale pour “un programme culturel afin de rejeter l’extrémisme et la violence” par Ismail Serageldin.  Sa  proposition est ni académique ni abstraite. Elle est basée sur la vaste expérience de l’organisation qu’il dirige, la Bibliothèque d’Alexandrie, en Egypte.   Il nous apporte “des graines d’espoir” pour une  transformation culturelle dans le monde arabe comme une alternative au fanatisme et ” au terrorisme barbare affiché par les forces du soi-disant  ‘Etat islamique’ en Irak et en Syrie.”

Selon les Elders, «Peut-être n’y a t-il pas d’autre choix que l’option militaire, mais en même temps, il est toujours important de comprendre. Ainsi les opérations militaires ne peuvent jamais réussir à  faire face à ces sortes de forces s’il n’y a pas une stratégie sociale et  politique mise en œuvre dans les zones où ces forces ne sont pas actives.  “Si la force doit être utilisée, elle doit l’être “après qu’un programme politique et social ait été construit sur ce qu’il faut faire par la  suite.”

Tout en appelant à des approches non-violentes, les Elders sont clairs. Les interventions militaires dans le passé ont été une cause majeure de l’augmentation du terrorisme au cours des dernières années.  Ecoutons ce que dit l’Elder Mary Robinson, «Je pense que beaucoup de problèmes découlent d’une guerre injustifiée et incroyablement néfaste en Irak. Elle a humilié, provoqué “le choc et l’effroi” à tous niveaux et en tous sens. Je pense que cette guerre a cassé une confiance qu’il va être très difficile de rétablir  “.

Serageldin dit clairement que la cause majeure du succès de l’État islamique terroriste “tient dans l’invasion américaine de l’Irak en 2003 et la mauvaise gestion ultérieure des clivages ethniques et religieux tendus dans cette société. Tout ceci a porté un coup traumatisant pour la confiance en soi des musulmans.  Ils ont considéré l’invasion directe par l’Amérique et par ses alliés d’Irak et d’Afghanistan, comme une  humiliation.  En outre, l’assassinat systématique de civils par l’utilisation de drones au Pakistan, en Afghanistan, au Yémen et ailleurs a servi à enflammer les sentiments de victimisation qui ont nourri le “désespoir émotionnel “des majorités musulmanes.

Malgré le fait que les petits cultivateurs produisent la plupart de la nourriture consommée par l’humanité, ils son menacés par l’agriculture intensive. Ainsi, les entreprises multinationales essayent d’imposer la production par monoculture pour l’exportation et mettent un monopole sur les graines. Ces multinationales sont soutenues par des lois gouvernementales et par des subventions se situant de plus en plus au niveau international.

Selon le spécialiste de la consolidation de la paix, John Paul Lederach, ce qui est nécessaire est une politique d’engagement non-violent avec les gens dans les groupes qui ont été fichés comme terroristes, plutôt qu’une politique d’isolement.  Par exemple, nous devons nous engager avec les femmes de Syrie, au coeur du pays terrorisé. Elles sont en train de promouvoir une culture de la paix à travers leurs engagements. Elles luttent pour stopper le mariage des enfants, pour unir réfugiés et communautés d’accueil, écouter les groupes marginalisés, rouvrir les écoles, aider les familles à survivre, réformer les tribunaux corrompus, vacciner les enfants, désarmer les jeunes et mobiliser un mouvement pour la paix.   Un excellent exemple de cet engagement est le travail de la Nonviolent Peaceforce, comme il l’est décrit dans l’article : “mise à jour urgente du  Soudan du Sud.”

Le ministre des Affaires étrangères de la Sierra Leone cède à  la voix de la sagesse lors de son discours à l’Organisation de la Conférence islamique. Face à une “une vague croissante d’insurrections terroristes et de troubles à travers le monde”, nous devons nous efforcer de prendre des initiatives allant de l’action humanitaire à la médiation en vue d’accompagner et de promouvoir la culture de la paix et de la tolérance entre les peuples.”

Et au Bénin, la conférence pour une “mobilisation générale contre le danger de Boko Haram” a conclu que “La force militaire ne suffira pas à annihiler ce mouvement djihadiste . . Il s’agit d’établir des rapports de confiance entre les fidèles de différentes religions en vue de mieux construire ensemble une société de développement et de paix et mobiliser les ardeurs autour de tâches concrètes reconnues prioritaires par tous .”

      

TOLERANCE ET SOLIDARITÉ

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Le Bénin encourage le dialogue interreligieux contre Boko Haram

ÉQUALITÉ HOMMES/FEMMES



Argentina: Massive march against gender violence in front of the Congress

DISARMAMENT ET SECURITÉ



Gaza prepares to welcome Freedom Flotilla III

DROITS DE L’HOMME



Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Canada guilty of cultural genocide against Indigenous peoples

LIBERTÉ DE L’INFORMATION


Colombia: FARC and the Government Will Create a Truth Commission

DÉVELOPPEMENT DURABLE


FAO: Le nombre de personnes souffrant de la faim passe sous la barre des 800 millions. Prochain objectif: l’éradication

PARTICIPATION DÉMOCRATIQUE


The Challenge: A Cultural Program to Reject Extremism and Violence

ÉDUCATION POUR LA PAIX


Colombia: Teaching peace
Uncategorized

Bulletin English July 1, 2015

. CONFRONTING TERRORISM WITHOUT VIOLENCE .

The commercial mass media, always eager for headlines of violence, is having a good time telling us about all the atrocities committed by Boko Haram and the Islamic State, which have inherited their mantles from Al Queda. They give us the impression that we have found the new enemy and we have no choice but to go to war. They don’t give much priority to non-military approaches to counter the terrorism. However, such approaches do exist, as we see this month in the articles of CPNN.

Let us begin with the comprehensive strategy for “A Cultural Program to Reject Extremism and Violence” by Ismail Serageldin. It is not an abstract academic proposal but is based on the extensive experience of the organization he heads, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt. He provides us with “seeds of hope” for a Cultural Transformation in the Arab World as an alternative to the fanaticism and “barbaric terrorism being displayed by the forces of the so-called “Islamic State” in Iraq and Syria.

According to the Elders, “There is no other option but to use the military option, but at the same time it is always important to understand that military operations can never succeed in dealing with these kinds of forces unless and until a good social and political strategy is implemented in the areas where these forces are not active” If force must be used it must be “after a political and social agenda has been constructed on what to do thereafter.”

While calling for nonviolent approaches, the Elders are clear that past military interventions have been a major cause for the increased terrorism we see in recent years. According to Elder Mary Robinson, “I think a lot of the problems stem from an unjustified and incredibly damaging war in Iraq. It humiliated, the “shock and awe”, the whole sense of it, and then, I think, it broke a trust somehow which is going to be very hard to rebuild.”

Serageldin is very clear that as a major cause of the rise of the terrorist Islamic State, “the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the subsequent mismanagement of the tense ethnic and religious cleavages in that society dealt a traumatic blow to the self-confidence of Muslims, who viewed the direct invasion by America and its allies of both Iraq and Afghanistan, as a direct humiliation of Muslims by the West. Furthermore, the systematic murder of civilians by the use of drones in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and elsewhere; all served to inflame sentiments of victimization that fed the Muslim majorities’ emotional despair.”

According to the peacebuilding specialist John Paul Lederach, what is needed is a policy of nonviolent engagement with the people in the groups that have been labeled as terrorists, rather than a policy of isolation. For example, we should be engaged with the women of Syria, at the heart of the region that is being terrorized, who are courageously promoting a culture of peace by stopping child marriage, uniting refugees and host communities, policing the streets, listening to marginalized groups, reopening schools, helping families survive, reforming corrupt courts, vaccinating children, disarming youth and mobilizing a movement for peace. A good example of engagement is the work of the Nonviolent Peaceforce, as described in their “Urgent Update from South Sudan.”

The Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone provides a voice of wisdom in her address to the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Faced with an “an increasing wave of terrorist insurgencies and unrests across the globe”, “we must endeavour to undertake initiatives ranging from humanitarian activities to mediation with a view to nurturing and promoting the culture of peace and tolerance among peoples.”

And in Benin, the conference for a “general mobilization against the danger of Boko Haram” concluded that ““Military force will not be enough to annihilate the jihadist movement.” Instead what is needed is “trust between followers of different religions to build together a better society with development and peace and to mobilize the enthusiasm around concrete tasks whose priority is recognized by all.”

      
TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY

benin
Benin encourages interfaith dialogue against Boko Haram

WOMEN’S EQUALITY


Argentina: Massive march against gender violence in front of the Congress

DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY



Gaza prepares to welcome Freedom Flotilla III

 HUMAN RIGHTS


Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Canada guilty of cultural genocide against Indigenous peoples
FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION


Colombia: FARC and the Government Will Create a Truth Commission

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION


The Challenge: A Cultural Program to Reject Extremism and Violence

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT


FAO: World hunger falls to under 800 million, eradication is next goal

EDUCATION FOR PEACE


Colombia: Teaching peace
d-tolerance

Discussion question: Does Costa Rica have a culture of peace?

This discussion question applies to the articles Film: Costa Rica Abolished its Military, Never Regretted it and Costa Rica : An act of good sense, with global impact.

Here is the point of view on this question of Oscar Arias who was President of Costa Rica from 1986 to 1990 ad from 2006 to 2010. These are excerpts from his speech in 2015 to the Rotary Symposum “Partnering For Peace: Today’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Successes” held at the Anhembi Palace, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Click here to read the full speech

. . . The truth is that in history’s darkest moments, we can find unexpected light. It was true with both of our World Wars, one of which generated the League of Nations, the other the United Nations. It was true of the violence that swept my own country, Costa Rica, in 1948, and led us to become the first country on earth to voluntarily abolish its armed forces.

. . . I am here to tell you that reduction in military spending can change a country and region forever. I know this, not because of my career or my studies. I know this because I am a Costa Rican.

As I mentioned earlier, Costa Rica abolished its army when I was just eight years old. By doing this, my country promised me, and all its children, that we would never see tanks or troops in our streets. My country promised me, and all its children, that it would invest, not in the weapons of our past, but in the tools of our future; not in barracks, but in schools, hospitals, and national parks; not in soldiers, but in teachers, doctors, and park guards. My country promised to dismantle the institutions of violence, and invest in the progress that makes violence unnecessary. In other words: My country decided that it had devoted its resources to war long enough, and that it wanted to devote the genius of its people to the science of averting war.
This resulted not only in a healthy, educated, and free society. It resulted in concrete gains for national and regional security.

When conflicts and civil wars swept our region in the 1980s, Costa Rica was able to maintain its stability and freedom from violence. What’s more, this enabled my little country to become the platform for the peace accords that gradually ended the unrest in our part of the world. And today, while the terrible consequences of drug trafficking in our region and consumption in the developed world are posing serious challenges to our government, Costa Rica continues to maintain its foothold in the world of peace.

The rest of the world can gain just as much. With tiny fractions of the funds currently spent on weapons and war, we could abolish preventable diseases such as malaria, or achieve basic primary schooling for all our children. Steps such as these would do much more for international security than any battle or bombing. I do not have to tell a room full of Peace Fellows that violence feeds off of illiteracy and desperation. If we can change the numbers of our military spending, we will shift the balance towards peace. . .

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I have been asked many times since 1987, the year when Central America achieved the Peace Accords that ended the pervasive armed conflicts in our region, what the secret was to our success. All of you are far too expert in conflict resolution to believe that there was just one secret – but, of course, it is important to examine past successes for best practices, especially when history affords us so few examples of conflicts solved entirely through negotiation. Many factors aligned that allowed the presidents of Central America to come together in support of the Peace Plan I had drafted. However, one key element in the process was my decision to follow the example of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and lock my fellow presidents into the negotiating room with me until we reached an agreement. Only by closing that back door, and with it, the easy way out to war, could we manage to cross the threshold of peace that had escaped us. We had to recognize that peace was the only acceptable outcome before we could rise above the status quo. We closed the door to war; we opened our hearts to peace. And our region was never the same. .

Finally, there is often a misconception that a peaceful solution can come from outside the region at war. Another lesson from Central America was that nations in conflict must create their own solutions, no matter how hard that might be. External players can help a troubled region reach a temporary truce, but lasting peace depends on the capacity of the governments involved to maintain their democratic institutions, deliver justice, protect human rights and ensure human development. Because of this, those governments must be the authors of their own plans for the future.

As the great French philosopher Guizot once said, “Pessimists are nothing more than spectators; it is the optimists who transform the world.” History is not written by those who predict failure for every new opportunity, or those who surrender before their greatest challenge. It is written by those who dare to dream. It is written by those who dare to sit down at the negotiating table, without preconditions. It is written by those who understand that the end of violence is the product of dialogue, not a prerequisite. It is written by those who dare to speak words of agreement in the face of terrible discord. It is written by those who realize that the ultimate act of courage is not to take up arms, but to lay them down – and those who find the strength to make that powerful choice. . .

I began my remarks in the dark, but I end them in the light. I end them in the light of reason that each of the Peace Fellows is ready to bring into the world. I end them in the light of hope – hope for a world where the numbers of lives and dollars wasted in pursuit of war march down towards zero. I end them in the light that shines forth when we cast off the bonds of violence; when we close the door to suffering; when we open the door, at long last, to peace in our time.

d-information

Colombia: Teaching peace

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

Un blog de Ernesto Amézquita en Cronica del Quindio (translated by CPNN)

According to law 1732, adopted in 2014, the national government has issued the decree “by which the teaching of Peace is regulated in all educational institutions of the country”.

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It is foreseen in article number 2 that “to meet the constitutional mandate enshrined in the articles 22 and 41 of the Constitution, the teaching of Peace is compulsory.” It is so decreed that “the teaching will aim to create and consolidate a space for learning, reflection and dialogue on culture of peace and sustainable development which should contribute to the general welfare and improve the quality of life of the population.”

Historically it has been shown that it is much more productive, civilized and proactive to invest in peace instead of the criminal business of arms dealers, mercenaries and beneficiaries of war.

For Colombia, more than 60 years of violence, about 300,000 dead, millions displaced, thousands missing, wounded and false positives, massacres, millions of orphans; should be more than enough to say enough to the ignorance of death, the peace of the grave and yes to life, to peaceful coexistence, the rule of justice, concord and respect for difference.

As such, these new standards are a good contribution to teaching in the school, family, college; accompanied by administrative bodies, judicial, ecclesiastical, military, police, social, business, etc., to begin to fully implement the rejection of the warmongering, bullying, and all violent, aggressive or armed way of solving problems. Today we have alternative means, justice, both formal and informal, as specific mechanisms for he solution of conflicts.

The central of this law are the culture of peace and sustainable development to be implemented in the academic syllabus that must be incorporated before December 31, 2015, in the areas of social sciences, history, geography, politics and democracy constitution, life sciences, environmental education, ethics, human values ​​and principles.

It is clear that the teachers responsible for this initiative must be qualified, skilled and experienced in those academic areas, because otherwise the effort would be counterproductive. We don’t ask Satan to teach the Bible.

So, we must ask: When will the schools of Quindio and the rest of the country, both public and private, begin to incorporate into their academic programs, this officially mandated teaching? When will we Colombians begin to disarm our own spirits, and when will the communication media become truly objective, truthful and impartial?

With this in mind, let us welcome the teaching of peace, principles and values ​​that we have missed in these 60 years of war and fratricidal violence between brother and brother.

(click here for the original Spanish version of this article)

Other articles related to this one:
EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Colombia: La cátedra de la paz

. . . EDUCACIÓN PARA LA PAZ . . .

Un blog de Ernesto Amézquita en Cronica del Quindio

En desarrollo de la ley 1732 del 2014, el gobierno nacional acaba de dictar el decreto “por el cual se reglamente la cátedra de la Paz en todas las Instituciones educativas del País”.

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Click on photo to enlarge

Se prevé en su art. 2º que “para responder al mandato constitucional consagrado en los arts. 22 y 41 de la Constitución Nacional, el carácter de la cátedra de la Paz, será obligatorio”. Se decreta así mismo que “la cátedra tendrá como objetivo crear y consolidar un espacio para el aprendizaje, la reflexión y el dialogo sobre la cultura de la paz y el desarrollo sostenible que contribuya al bienestar general y el mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de la población”.

Históricamente está demostrado que es mucho más productivo, civilizado y proactivo, invertir en la paz que en el negocio criminal de los traficantes de armas, mercenarios y beneficiarios de las guerras.

Para Colombia, más de 60 años de violencia, cerca de 300.000 muertos, millones de desplazados, miles de desaparecidos, heridos y falsos positivos, masacres, millones de huérfanos; deben ser más que suficientes para decir basta a la incultura de la muerte, a la paz de los sepulcros y sí a la vida, a la convivencia pacífica, al imperio de la justicia la concordia y el respeto a la diferencia.

En tal sentido, estas nuevas normas, son un buen aporte pedagógico para que desde la escuela, el colegio, la familia, la universidad; acompañados de entes administrativos, judiciales, eclesiásticos, militares, policiales, sociales, empresariales, etc., se empiece a implementar integralmente el rechazo al belicismo, al matoneo, al bullying y a toda forma violenta, agresiva o armada de resolver los problemas, desechando que ahora existen medios alternativos, de justicia, procesal, extra procesal, como mecanismos específicos solucionadores de conflictos.

Son ejes centrales de esta ley: la cultura de paz y el desarrollo sostenible a implementar en los pénsum académicos que deben incorporar antes del 31 de diciembre del 2015; en las áreas de ciencias sociales, historia, geografía, constitución política y democracia, ciencias naturales, educación ambiental, ética, valores y principios humanos.

Se sobre entiende que los docentes que orienten estas cátedras deberán ser calificados, cualificados y experimentados en las áreas académicas citadas, pues de lo contrario, el esfuerzo será contraproducente, ya que sería tanto como colocar a satanás a enseñar la Biblia.

Así las cosas, nos debemos preguntar: ¿Cuándo los centros educativos del Quindío y el resto del país, tanto públicos como privados, empezarán a incorporar en sus programas académicos, esta cátedra oficial?, ¿Cuándo los colombianos comenzaremos a desarmar nuestros propios espíritus, y la mayoría de medios de comunicación a ser verdaderamente objetivos, veraces e imparciales?

Sobre esos parámetros, bienvenida la cátedra de la paz, de principios y valores de que hemos adolecido en estos 60 años de guerra y violencia fratricida entre hermanos.

( Clickear aquí para la version inglês.)

Question for this article:

Peace Studies in School Curricula, What would it take to make it happen around the world?

This discussion question applies to the following articles:

Children as Peacemakers
Peace Education Center in Ghana
Asian Educators Symposium and Exchange Program: Creating a Culture of Peace through Education
Life-Link Program Promotes a Culture of Peace
Education for Peace: Le projet intégré prend tout son sens
‘Education for peace’ wins the Youth Excellence Award 2011 in Mauritius.
Convivencia y Protección Escolar: Bogotá, Colombia
Coexistence and School Protection: Student Project in Bogota Colombia
Convivencia y Protección Escolar: Red de Educadores en Bogotá
Coexistence and School Protection: Teachers Network in Bogota Colombia
Premios a la Promoción de la Cultura de Paz y la Convivencia Escolar.
Prizes for the Promotion of Culture of Peace and School Coexistence
Hawaii Teachers Impact NEA National Assembly – 3 Million Members to Support Peace Day
Gambia: Teachers Trained On Peace Building
Málaga destaca por fomentar la convivencia y la cultura de paz, según la Junta de Andalucía (Espagne)
The Junta of Andalucia (Spain): Malaga promotes coexistence and culture of peace
Cultura de Paz nas escolas do Norte de Minas, Brasil
Culture of Peace in the schools of Norte de Minas, Brasil
Formation des enseignants à la résolution non-violente des conflits (France)
Teacher training in nonviolent conflict resolution (France)
Álvarez Rodríguez firmará un acuerdo para aplicar “Cultura de Paz, Gestión de Paz” en las escuelas
Álvarez Rodríguez to sign agreement for “Culture of Peace, Managing Peace” in schools
Gambia: PS Bouy Launches WANEP Peace Education Implementation Guide
Culture de paix et de non-violence dans les écoles : Le réseau ouest-africain pour l’édification de la paix lance son guide
The West African Network for Peacebuilding publishes its guide for culture of peace and non-violence in the schools
Prefeitura de São Luís e Unesco firmam parceria pela cultura de paz nas escolas (Brasil)
City of São Luís and UNESCO sign partnership for the culture of peace in schools (Brazil)
México: Urgente incorporar la cultura de paz a la educación formal
Mexico: Urgent to incorporate culture of peace in formal education
France: 12e Forum « La non-violence à l’école »
France: 12th Forum “Non-Violence in Schools”
Ghana: WANEP trains 150 peace Ambassadors in Tamale Schools

Uncategorized