All posts by CPNN Coordinator

About CPNN Coordinator

Dr David Adams is the coordinator of the Culture of Peace News Network. He retired in 2001 from UNESCO where he was the Director of the Unit for the International Year for the Culture of Peace, proclaimed for the Year 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly.

Speech of Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia, to the G20 Summit

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION .

Transcription from the Video of his speech (transcription by Vizard and translation by CPNN)

Thank you to President Lula and to Brazil for inviting me to this forum.

It is the second time that a Colombian president has been invited, President Santos first and now me.

I want to speak on behalf of a part of Colombian society that I hope will be the majority.

Hunger. If there is no hunger in the south, there is no migration from the south to the north.


Frame from video of speech

Any policy that seeks to put migrants in concentration camps, any programs that seek and hunt migrants to return them to their countries of origin, will fail.

It will fail, it has failed.

The only effective policy to stop the exodus of people from the south to the north is for the south to be more prosperous, to not be hungry. That is the effective policy. And I invite the members of the G20 to practice it with reason and truth, not with hypocrisy.

Every blow to a migrant abroad is simply the recognition of the inability of the rich North to end hunger in humanity.

Ending hunger in humanity requires, in my opinion, three approaches that I want to leave with you.

First is the reject the concept of food security based on countries that export food to the rest of the world based on an intensive use of oil and coal. This has not ended hunger in the world.

Second, I propose to build, instead of the concept of a free world market for food security, the concept of food sovereignty, which consists of being able to produce enough food in countries where there is hunger. That requires a carbon-free agriculture based on the peasantry and the small farmer, not on the large agrarian multinational.

It is the peasantry and the small farmer of each country who should till the land and fulfill its social function as the primary means to feed their own people and the world.

We call this agrarian reform: that the peasantry of the world and the small farmers should have greater power as citizens, with full political and economic rights, as a basic guarantee for a decarbonized agriculture that feeds all citizens, all people in humanity.

Third, I would like to see this meeting go deeper into the topic of artificial intelligence. If artificial intelligence, which is going to expand exponentially, is fed by fossil fuels, oil and coal, it will interact with the climate crisis, deepening it. The climate crisis and artificial intelligence both have enormous potential to increase hunger in the world. Artificial intelligence can put hundreds of millions of workers out of work, and they will go hungry. Hunger in the world will increase if we are not able to at least set two objectives.

The first objective, contrary to someone who spoke here from Latin America, is to create a global public policy regulation of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is the accumulated intellect of humanity in the digital cloud. Its privatisation can substantially increase hunger and, as Hawking has said, both with the climate crisis and with artificial intelligence, we have come to the edge of human extinction.

(Article continued in the column on the right)

(Click here for the original speech in Spanish.)

Questions related to this article:

Where in the world can we find good leadership today?

(Article continued from the column on the left)

Only global political regulation, true multilateralism, can overcome the immense danger it represents and put artificial intelligence at the service of human beings and not the other way around.

And a second objective to avoid throwing hundreds of millions of workers into the streets, increasing the exodus and increasing hunger, is a concept conceived in Brazil by sociologists who are now called dishonest, but who are profound thinkers on human problems. The concept is a universal citizen income.

Universal citizen income provides the possibility of ending hunger in the world. It demands that the millions of unemployed workers have something to eat. It leads us to demand a restructuring of international finances that is absolutely essential to overcome the climate crisis being discussed in Azerbaijan today, and to overcome hunger in the world.

I will end with some statements that I want to leave on behalf of a part of Colombian society.

First, the G20 must oppose the genocide in Gaza and call it what it is, without hypocrisy, genocide. If the G20, the powerful of the world, do not oppose genocide, humanity has no future.

Two, all kinds of economic blockades against any people in the world must cease, no matter the regime, because the blockade is a comprehensive and systematic violation of human rights, not of governments, but of human beings.

Three, regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia, I oppose the decision to permit the launch of missiles at Russia. There is no other solution than direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. Any peace talks that exclude one of the two peoples are only a war conference, not a peace conference. It is the Slavic peoples who must solve their problems and therefore the Russia-Ukraine dialogue must begin in order to achieve peace. Hopefully, it will take place on the basis of the precepts of the Munich agreement that Europe has forgotten.

Finally, I agree with the approach of the Republic of China on building a dialogue between civilizations. The new multilateral dialogue is not an imposition of some over others, but rather a global planetary democracy, and that implies, given human diversity, the recognition of this diversity and the construction of a dialogue between civilizations and not a confrontation, as Huntington said in the United States. I do not believe, and I have to say it here publicly, in something in that regard that was expressed at this conference.

I am a progressive, a radical democrat and a socialist. And I believe and am proud of it.

It is common struggle and human solidarity that has kept us alive on this planet since day one when we got together to hunt animals to eat, when we got together to make a bonfire to warm ourselves on cold nights.

We are not a society of individual atoms competing with each other. That is not the case even for the least intelligent animals.

We can only survive on this planet, overcome hunger, disease, inequality, overcome war, overcome the climate crisis, which is the main problem we face today, and put artificial intelligence to our service, if we help each other, if we are supportive, if we are a community, if we have common objectives, if we have common purposes and if we help each other.

Competition between human beings and nations has only brought us to the brink of
extinction.

The possibility of building a diverse civilization of humanity, even beyond this planet, taking care of this planet, depends on us helping each other, on us being supportive, and on us embracing the fact that the human species is a community.

Thank you, again, President Lula, for your very kind invitation.
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FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, global, Latin America,

Brazil: President Lula’s Speech At The Closing Session Of The G20 Summit And Handover Of The Presidency To South Africa

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION .

An article from the G20

President Lula’s Speech At The Closing Session Of The G20 Summit (official English translation).

Today, Brazil completes the penultimate stage of a four-year sequence in which developing countries have occupied the leadership of the G20.

Indonesia, India, Brazil, and, now, South Africa bring to the table perspectives that are of interest to the vast majority of the world’s population.

Starting in Bali, passing through New Delhi, and arriving in Rio de Janeiro, we strive to promote measures that have a concrete impact on people’s lives.


Video of speech with English interpretation

We launched a Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty and began an unprecedented debate on taxing the super-rich.

We put climate change on the agendas of Finance Ministries and central banks and approved the first multilateral document on the bioeconomy.

We issued a Call to Action for reforms that make global governance more effective and representative, and we engage in dialogue with society through the G20 Social.

We launched a roadmap to make multilateral development banks better, bigger, and more effective and gave African countries a voice in the debt debate.

We established the Women’s Empowerment Working Group and proposed an eighteenth Sustainable Development Goal to promote racial equality.

We defined key trade and sustainable development principles and committed to tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030.

We created a Coalition for Local and Regional Production of Vaccines and Medicines and decided to expand financing for water and sanitation infrastructure.

(Article continued in the column on the right)

(Click here for the original speech in Portuguese.)

Questions related to this article:

Where in the world can we find good leadership today?

(Article continued from the column on the left)

We welcome events from the World Health Organization’s Investment Round, believing that more resources are needed to collectively respond to new and persistent health challenges.

We approved a Strategy to Promote Cooperation in Open Innovation and address asymmetries in scientific and technological production. We also decided to establish a task force on the governance of artificial intelligence at the G20.

This year, we held more than 140 meetings across 15 Brazilian cities.

We once again adopted consensus statements in almost all working groups.

We left a lesson: that the greater the interaction between the Sherpa and Finance tracks, the greater and more significant the results of our work will be.

We worked hard, even though we knew we had only scratched the surface of the world’s profound challenges.

After the South African presidency, all G20 countries will have exercised group leadership at least once.

This will be an opportune moment to evaluate the role we have played so far and how we should act from now on.

We have a responsibility to do better.

It is with this hope that I pass the gavel of the G20 presidency to President Ramaphosa.

This is not an ordinary handover of the presidency — it is the concrete expression of the historical, economic, social, and cultural ties that unite Latin America and Africa.

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Brazilian presidency, especially those who worked to make our achievements possible.

I wish our comrade Ramaphosa every success in leading the G20. South Africa can count on Brazil to exercise a presidency surpassing our achievements.

I remember the words of another great South African, Nelson Mandela, who said: it is easy to demolish and destroy; the heroes are those who build.

Let us continue building a just world and a sustainable planet.

Thank you very much.

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FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, global, Latin America,

Lula, The “Only Adult in the Room”

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

Un artículo por Andy Robinson* en CTXT Contexto y Acción (non-comercial use)

While Western leaders were trivializing the nuclear threat over caipirinhas, Brazil was seeking consensus in the face of the risk of World War III

There can be no tougher test for the G20 sherpas – the diplomats in charge of achieving consensus at meetings of the most powerful countries in the world – than the news of the preamble to a possible Third World War.

But something similar happened at the beginning of the Rio summit last week, when the still president of the United States, Joe Biden, gave the green light to Ukraine to fire long-range ATACMS missiles at targets in Russia. Keir Starmer, the prime minister of the obedient United Kingdom, a junior partner, would soon follow suit with British Storm Shadow missiles.

The news reached the Copacabana and Ipanema hotels, where the heads of state of dozens of countries were staying – led by Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Shigeru Ishiba, the prime minister of Japan; Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and the host and mediator, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Ukraine launched the first ATACMS missile against Russia during the opening of the summit, after a heavy Russian offensive the day before. To further tense the atmosphere in Rio, Russia announced the same day that it had modified its defence protocols to allow the use of nuclear weapons against a conventional offensive.

To anyone in Rio who had seen Doctor Strangelove or read Annie Jacobsen’s new book Nuclear War: A Scenario, it all seemed like a dangerous provocation from one nuclear superpower to another. Even thoughtful columnists like David Sanger, a nuclear strategy expert for the New York Times, recalled that “until this weekend, President Biden had refused to allow these attacks (…) for fear that they could provoke World War III.” Newsweek headlined: “Will Biden’s decision regarding ATACMS missiles provoke World War III? Our experts give their answer.”

Despite the routine tone used to talk about the end of humanity, the news made a dent in the bars of Rio de Janeiro. “Você entendeu o que eu entiende?” said a Carioca as the news was reported on GloboNews. Even evangelicals with apocalyptic convictions, who attended Sunday mass on the eve of the G20, seemed somewhat uneasy.

But European and American leaders and their advisers were enjoying the city of wonders and caipirinhas. Emmanuel Macron strolled through Copacabana and allowed himself to be photographed. Keir Starmer played football with a local children’s team and tried to convince the little ones that his team, Arsenal, is “the best in the world”. Biden’s daughter was photographed in front of the enormous Samauma tree in the Botanical Garden.

Curiously, there was no official announcement about the decision to authorise the attacks. When the news broke, Biden was in Manaus, and it was hard not to wonder whether the octogenarian president, lost in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, had heard that the decision had been taken to take the first step towards catastrophe. The deep state in Washington seemed to be in charge, perhaps in order to make life difficult for Donald Trump, who has promised to “end the war in 24 hours” once in the White House. Not even Kubrick would have imagined such a staging.

(Continued in right column)

(Click here for the original Spanish version.)

Questions related to this article:
 
Can the peace movement help stop the war in the Ukraine?

(Continued from left column)

When they finally had to comment, Western leaders took Putin’s warnings about a possible nuclear response as one of the Machiavellian Russian leader’s bluffs. NATO missile strikes on Russia would serve as a final lesson before Trump takes office. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised all of us who worry about the possibility of a Third World War as “irresponsible”.

In the face of the attitude of Western leaders in Rio, I could only recall what Jeffrey Sachs, the veteran economist at Columbia University, had told me. Sachs negotiated an economic rescue plan for the USSR (Russia) in 1990 with Gorbachev and Yeltsin, which was sabotaged by the then administration of George Bush Sr., bent on weakening Russia and expanding NATO as far as possible.

Authorizing long-range missiles against Russia, he explained to me, “could lead to escalation, and eventually to nuclear war. It is part of the continuing recklessness and arrogance of the US deep state, the National Security Council, the CIA, the Pentagon, the National Security Agency and the arms contractors. It is also part of the UK’s continuing destructive role in the world system, which of course goes back to the British empire.” (The entire interview, with parts still unpublished, will be available to read shortly on my new Substack account.)

To quote Yanis Varoufakis, the Brazilian diplomats and Lula seemed “the only adults in the room” at the avant-garde Museum of Modern Art, where the summit was held. When the European and American delegations pressed for Russia to be explicitly condemned in the final communiqué, Lula refused. Aware that any hardening of neutral language would raise hackles in delegations from China and much of the global south, he opted for “a more moderate tone,” Celso Amorim, Lula’s veteran foreign policy adviser who met Putin in April last year, told me. In the end, the statement simply says: “The G20 condemns the war in Ukraine and its impacts on the global economy and supply chains.”

Lula has tried since the start of the war in Ukraine to seek a negotiated multilateral solution – meeting Zelensky in New York, but also holding talks with Putin – and has always criticised NATO expansion. Biden’s decision “is a dangerous escalation,” said Guilherme Casarões, of the Getúlio Vargas Foundation in São Paulo. “Brazil has not specifically spoken out on the issue, but its position is to defend respect for international law, (…) and the principle of nuclear disarmament.”

European leaders lashed out at the final statement. “Disappointing,” Starmer said. “Insufficient,” agreed Olaf Scholz. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on the other hand, praised him for “calling for an honest and reasonable conversation about a peace based on realistic criteria.”

But Lula knew that “any different formulation could harm the consensus,” said Casarões. Brazilian diplomacy “always tries to build bridges,” summed up Olicer Stuenkel, another expert from the Getulio Vargas Foundation.

However, there may be a paradox in the dramatic story of the G20 in Rio de Janeiro. Because it is not only NATO that plays with reckless frivolity in the game of roulette that could end with the end of the world. Putin, of course, is a player as reckless as the neocons of the deep state in Washington: “Lula and Amorim wanted to put on the table the idea of ​​a broader, more multilateral negotiation to get out of the impasse in Ukraine,” said Rodrigues. “And that Russian offensive was, I believe, a tactic to undermine that possibility of seeking peace. Putin is no longer interested in negotiating anything; he is on the offensive and has a United States with Donald Trump at the helm that is going to offer him interesting things.”

*Andy Robinson is a correspondent for ‘La Vanguardia’ and a contributor to Ctxt since its founding. In addition, he belongs to the Editorial Board of this media. His latest book is ‘Oro, gasolina y aguacates: Las nuevas venas abiertas de América Latina’ (Arpa 2020)

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DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, global

ICESCO Director General: Peace education is an investment in a safer, more prosperous future for humanity

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from ICESCO

Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed that peace education is the best way to find innovative and collaborative solutions to current global challenges such as conflicts, wars and the climate crisis. He added that the first step involves integrating peace education into education systems, noting that ICESCO has implemented many pioneering initiatives in this regard, convinced that peace education is an investment in a safer and more prosperous future for all humanity.

This statement was part of Dr. Al-Malik’s virtual address delivered on Wednesday 27 November 2024, at the opening of the two-day Global Summit for Peace Education, held by the Global Peace Education Network, in Paris, in cooperation with ICESCO as a strategic partner. The Summit brings together several senior officials and representatives of international institutions concerned with promoting global peace, including Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

(Continued in right column)

Question for this article:

Where is peace education taking place?

(Continued from left column)

Dr. Al-Malik reviewed ICESCO’s main efforts in the field of peacebuilding, including the Leadership Training in Peace and Security Program (LTIPS), which has so far trained 180 young men and women from 68 countries to become ICESCO Young Peace Ambassadors, building their capacity and leadership skills to participate effectively in peacebuilding efforts in their communities, in line with the Organization’s “360° Peace Approach”.

He explained that technologies will play a key role in shaping the future, placing everyone under a moral obligation to ensure the responsible use of new technologies, particularly AI, underlining the important role of peace education through the ethical use of technologies in education systems. “In this respect, ICESCO launched the Riyadh Charter on AI Ethics for the Islamic world and held rich discussion sessions on peace and climate change during its participation in COP29,” he added.

ICESCO Director General concluded his address by affirming that the Organization seeks to promote the values of coexistence, understanding and mutual respect among all, through its Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and stressed ICESCO’s willingness to host the next edition of the Global Summit for Peace Education at its headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.

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EDUCATION FOR PEACE, global

World Future Policy Award 2024: Peace & Future Generations

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION .

A press release from the World Future Council

The World Future Policy Award celebrates top policy solutions for current and future generations. We raise global awareness of exemplary laws and policies, accelerating policy action towards a common future where every person lives in dignity on a healthy, sustainable planet. As the world’s premier policy prize, we showcase inspiring and effective policies, not individuals, on the international stage. Each year, we focus on one topic where progress is particularly urgent and receive nominations from across the globe. This year’s topic is Peace and Future Generations.

Enduring peace is perhaps the most critical component for the sustainable development of societies and the protection of both people and the planet. Our global community is in desperate need of creative and inclusive policy solutions at all levels to resolve conflict, prevent war, and foster a culture of peace.
The good news is, these policies exist!

From 47 nominations spanning 29 countries, our esteemed panel of international experts selected four Winning Policies, one Vision Award, and three Honourable Mentions. The winners were celebrated at the Award Ceremony at the Maison de la Paix in Geneva (November 27).

AND THE 2024 WINNERS ARE…

KAUSWAGAN’S “FROM ARMS TO FARMS” PROGRAMME (PHILIPPINES) (2010)


Launched in 2010 in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines, the “From Arms to Farms” programme has reintegrated over 5,000 former combatants into society through sustainable agriculture. Under the leadership of Mayor Rommel C. Arnado, the initiative addresses poverty, distrust in governance, and historical inequalities, transforming the municipality into a model of peace and sustainable development. By reducing poverty rates from 80% in 2010 to 9.1% by 2020 and fostering peace between Christian and Muslim communities, the programme demonstrates how innovative, integrated solutions can drive lasting change.

Participants receive training in organic farming and financial literacy, equipping them to build stable livelihoods. Community dialogues and conflict resolution foster reconciliation, while bi-weekly meetings with local leaders ensure transparency and inclusivity. Over 6,000 hectares of land have been cultivated, significantly enhancing food security and revitalising the local economy. All 13 of Kauswagan’s villages are now 100% organic. Since 2012, no armed conflict-related crimes have been reported.

Read more

Watch video

WELL-BEING OF FUTURE GENERATIONS (WALES) ACT 2015


The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is a landmark policy designed to promote sustainable development across all public bodies in Wales. Its core aim is to enhance the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of Wales, ensuring that present decisions do not compromise future generations. The Act mandates legal accountability for public bodies and prioritises community engagement at all levels, fostering economic resilience, environmental preservation, and social cohesion.

The Future Generations Commissioner supports these goals by encouraging long-term thinking and monitoring public bodies’ progress in meeting their well-being goals. This holistic system positions Wales at the forefront of sustainability efforts in line with global objectives. Highlighting such pioneering policies that protect the rights of future generations is both timely and essential.

Read more

Watch video

(Article continued in the column on the right)

Questions related to this article:

Where in the world can we find good leadership today?

(Article continued from the column on the left)

THE MORIORI PEACE COVENANT (NUNUKU’S LAW) (15TH CENTURY – ONGOING, RĒKOHU, NEW ZEALAND)


The Moriori Peace Covenant (Nunuku’s Law) is an extraordinary example of a long-standing commitment to peace, non-violence, and future generations. Established in the 15th century, it prohibits violence among the indigenous Moriori of Rēkohu (Chatham Islands, New Zealand). Despite facing immense aggression and oppression from Māori tribes Ngāti, Mutunga and Ngāti Tama, and later discrimination from European settlers, the Moriori upheld their commitment to non-violence.

Though this led to tragic losses, the Covenant became a powerful symbol of resilience and integrity. Recognised globally, Nunuku’s Law has influenced modern peace efforts and contributed to Moriori cultural revival, making it a model for intergenerational peacebuilding and sustainability. Despite influencing renowned non-violent leaders like Te Whiti, Tohu, and Mahatma Gandhi, the Covenant remains relatively unknown both in New Zealand and globally – a situation that calls for greater recognition.

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CANADA’S FEMINIST INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE POLICY (2017)

Since 2017, Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) has placed gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls at the heart of its international development strategy. Recognising that inclusive societies are more peaceful and prosperous, FIAP addresses systemic inequalities by promoting women’s leadership, enhancing access to education and healthcare, and fostering inclusive economic growth. Developed through consultations with over 15,000 participants across 65 countries, FIAP demonstrates Canada’s commitment to implementing UNSCR 1325 and advancing gender equality in peacebuilding and sustainable development.

FIAP’s feminist framework includes marginalised women and girls while engaging men and boys to challenge harmful gender norms. It prioritises innovation and partnerships, invests in research, fosters cross-sector collaboration, and supports communities in adapting to climate change by empowering women in agriculture and environmental decision-making.

Read more

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VISION AWARD 2024

A Vision Award policy has strong design and objectives, showing considerable potential for transformative impact, though it may lack proven implementation due to being relatively new or facing challenging circumstances.

THE NIGERIA NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON YOUTH PEACE AND SECURITY (2021)

The Nigerian National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security (NNAPYPS) was developed in response to UN Security Council Resolution 2250, making Nigeria the first African country and second globally to adopt such a policy.

It seeks to engage youth in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, focusing on vulnerabilities like unemployment and empowering young people as peacebuilders. Despite contextual challenges, NNAPYPS shows great potential and has already improved youth engagement and representation, with incremental replication at the state level.
Emerging from a youth-driven grassroots movement, NNAPYPS is a significant achievement in peacebuilding, though still in its early stages, with the pilot phase nearing completion.

Watch video

EXPLORE THE 2024 AWARD BROCHURE!

Learn more about our winners, our honourable mentions, & the 2024 Award in our official brochure.

English, German, Spanish, French

Press Kit

Watch all out Winner Videos here.

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FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, global

Rwanda: Positive masculinity as a weapon of peace

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article by Isabelle Grégoire from the International Development Research Centre (reprinted as non-commercial use)

After the 1994 genocide, 70% of Rwanda’s population was made up of women who had become heads of household. An unprecedented demographic situation that has led this formerly patriarchal country down the path of gender equality. Today, the government even promotes positive masculinity.


Thanks to the BAHO workshops, Théoneste Nyakabaji has gone from being an absent father to his earlier children to being a committed father to his two twin daughters. He is pictured with his wife, Claudine Umugwaneza (left) and four of their children. Photo by Isabelle Grégoire, L’Actualité.

What’s the potion you’re giving your man? I want the same for mine!” Claudine Uwiragiye, 27, a farmer in the Musanze district in the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda, has been asked this question a hundred times. The neighbours and friends of this graceful woman in her red and yellow wrap skirt were convinced that she had bewitched her husband, so much had he changed. Previously domineering, violent and more present at the “cabaret” (local bar) than at home, 30-year-old Jean-Dedieu Manihiro, also a farmer, has become a caring spouse and father in just a few months. He is as active in raising their two children as in household chores.

“I can do anything, except breastfeed,” he says laughing as he extends his arms to his youngest daughter, who joins us in their modest house built with rammed earth on one of the “thousand hills” that have earned Rwanda its nickname. In tears, the two-year-old toddler has just stumbled into the courtyard surrounded by squash, beans and banana plantations. A hug, a few soft words in Kinyarwanda (the country’s main language) and the little girl has already forgotten her boo–boo. “He’s not the same man anymore,” says Claudine, sitting beside him on one of the wooden benches that furnish the room with its dirt floor and walls adorned with faded photos of their wedding in 2017.

“At first, when the village boys saw me peeling potatoes or cradling my baby, they laughed at me,” says Jean-Dedieu, wearing a striped polo shirt and black pants in green rubber boots. “For them, I was no longer a man.” However, little by little, they realized that the change was for the better. Not only did the family no longer have to live with banging and screaming, they had also managed to improve their income. “I no longer spend all my harvest money on alcohol, and we manage our budget together.”

However spectacular, Jean-Dedieu’s transformation has nothing to do with magic. Rather than make him drink an elixir, Claudine persuaded him to sign up with her for the Bandebereho (“role model,” in Kinyarwanda) program, a “Journey of Transformation” of 17 weekly sessions of three hours each, offered to young parents by the Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC). “Otherwise, I would’ve ended up reporting him to the police.”

Based in Kigali, this NGO works to eradicate violence against women by promoting “positive masculinity.” To convince the most stubborn, male facilitators — from the targeted communities — repeatedly visit households in conflict, the list of which is provided to them by local authorities. The “role models,” like Jean-Dedieu, are encouraged to support them by becoming “agents of change” in their village.

According to the 2020 National Institute of Statistics report, 46% of married Rwandan women have suffered domestic violence, and 60% consider it acceptable. A culture of silence continues to prevail, even though the number of cases reported and examined has more than doubled in five years, topping 14,500 cases in 2021–2022.

“It’s impossible to change social norms and achieve gender equality if men aren’t involved,” says Fidèle Rutayisire, 48, executive director of RWAMREC, which he founded in 2006. A lawyer by training and a convinced feminist, he himself grew up in a violent home. “It’s easier for men to be changed by their peers than by women,” he asserts. The aim is to put an end to the myths associated with masculinity; for example, that only women can look after children, or that it’s acceptable to beat your wife if she burns a meal. But also to enable women to emancipate themselves through paid employment.

Some 50,000 men are reached each year by the Resource Centre through its various programs (including Bandebereho), deployed throughout this country of 14 million inhabitants. “It’s a drop in the bucket compared to what’s needed, but it’s essential work: too many homes are still plagued by violence,” observes Fidèle Rutayisire, with a round face and a gentle look behind his glasses. The violence was inherited from the genocide that tore Rwanda apart in 1994. In 100 days, a million Tutsis were exterminated, mostly with machetes, by the Hutu majority group. Between 250,000 and 500,000 women were raped, many of whom became pregnant (between 10,000 and 25,000 “children of hate” are thought to have been born of these rapes). Although 65% of the population is now under the age of 30 and did not experience these horrors, the trauma remains, both for the children of the genocidaires and those of the survivors.

At the end of the genocide, 70% of Rwanda’s population was made up of women who had become heads of household (widows, wives of genocidaires in prison or exile, orphans). They have therefore played a major role in the reconciliation and reconstruction of the country. As the Constitution prohibits all forms of discrimination, there are no longer any privileges linked to ethnicity (Tutsis, Hutus, Twas), religion (Christians, Muslims) or region… everyone is Rwandan. In 30 years, immense progress has been made (education, health, safety, cleanliness, etc.). And this small, green country in the Great Lakes region, landlocked between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi, is the only one in the world to have a majority of women in Parliament (61% of the members of parliament).

“In our post-conflict society, the only option was to bring citizens together on an equal footing,” says Liberata Gahongayire, president of Pro-Femmes/Twese Hamwe (“All together,” in Kinyarwanda), a collective involved in the process since 1994 (mobilization of women, revision of laws). However, we had to redouble our efforts. “In addition to the ethnic divisions that had torn families and society apart, patriarchal tradition relegated women to the background,” continues this historian, a researcher at the Centre de gestion des conflits de l’Université du Rwanda and the Université Libre de Bruxelles. “Many were illiterate and had never worked outside the fields.” Over the years, laws guaranteeing their rights have been passed — access to education, maternity leave, abortion (limited to critical cases), criminalization of domestic violence, the right to contraception (from age 18), and to inheritance.

Alongside the pioneering RWAMREC, many other organizations are focusing on positive masculinity. Like the Pro-Femmes organization, which includes it in its “gender equality transformation journey” for women and couples. “Positive masculinity has a dual purpose: to reduce gender-based violence and to improve the socio-economic situation of families, and therefore of the nation,” says Liberata Gahongayire.

Another major player is the British NGO Aegis Trust, designer and manager (on behalf of the Rwandan government) of the Genocide Memorial, perched on a hill in the capital, where the remains of 250,000 victims of the genocide against the Tutsis are laid to rest. Aegis Trust offers peace education programs aimed at a wide range of audiences (political decision-makers, teachers, young people, etc.), with a particular focus on positive masculinity.

“Our training courses open up dialogue in schools, at work and in the religious domain, and show the indispensable contribution of men in promoting gender equality.”

The Rwandan government encourages and supports the movement. Involving men in this promotion of equality is one of the priorities of the new gender policy, launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion. The Ministry of Health is committed to the wider deployment of the Bandebereho program, supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Ottawa.

The concept of positive masculinity is also spreading elsewhere in Africa. After the DRC and Senegal, South Africa hosted the African Union’s 3rd Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity to end violence against women and girls in 2023. The African Union is encouraging civil society, religious leaders and economic players to work together. It’s a long-term project, as there is strong resistance everywhere: men fear being ridiculed and losing their power.

Considered a model of African development, Rwanda has been led since 2000 by President Paul Kagame, 66, who was re-elected on July 15 for a fourth term. A former commander in the Rwandan Patriotic Front, which stopped the genocide in 1994, he is hailed for having reconciled and modernized the country. Agriculture (coffee, tea, sorghum, etc.) still accounts for 25% of GDP and 56% of jobs. Nevertheless, the “land of a thousand hills” is enjoying annual economic growth of around 7% to 8%, thanks in particular to business and upmarket tourism. As clean as it is safe, the capital, Kigali, with its 1.7 million inhabitants, boasts grand hotels and an iconic convention centre, inspired by an old royal palace. Luxury guest houses have sprung up around national parks such as Volcanoes — where a permit for a brief visit to the mountain gorillas costs USD1,500.

Few people openly criticize Paul Kagame in Rwanda, but his detractors criticize him for his authoritarianism — widespread surveillance, non-existent press freedom, muzzling of opponents… He was recently returned to power with 99.15% of the vote. Rwandans are also subject to strict rules intended to strengthen national unity. For example, all pupils in the public sector, boys and girls alike, must have their heads shaved for reasons of hygiene and equality. And every last Saturday of the month, citizens are required to take part in umuganda (community work), or face a fine.

Nevertheless, inequalities remain. The second most densely populated country in Africa (after Mauritius), Rwanda ranks 161st (out of 193) on the UN Human Development Index, which measures health, education and the standard of living to determine the degree of “development.” And despite the fact that women make up a majority in Parliament, the patriarchy is still alive and well. Boys still grow up with the idea that they are superior to girls, and sexist violence persists.

“The woman is the heart of the home, the man is the master of the family,” according to a Rwandan saying. Roles are still firmly entrenched, especially in rural areas where 83% of the population lives. Submissive and self-effacing, the abagore (women) work in the fields with their babies strapped to their backs, walk for miles to fetch water, and do most of the unpaid work. The abagabo (men) are the breadwinners, they make all the decisions for the family, feel that sex is their right, and enjoy their free time as they please.

These differences become apparent during the Bandebereho workshops. On the day of my visit, some 30 men and women are sitting in a circle in a room at the health centre in Gitare, Northern Province. Most came on foot along a red laterite track, with the bluish peaks of the volcanoes marking the border with Uganda in the background. After the dances, songs and motivational slogans that precede each session, five male volunteers leave while the facilitator sets up the equipment for a role-play of domestic chores: cloth doll, laundry tub, broom, water pot and container.

Back in the room, each man mimes a task — rocking the baby, sweeping the yard, preparing dinner… — before leaving the stage, relinquishing his responsibility to the remaining men. In the end, only one is left to do it all, not knowing what to focus on. “And he doesn’t even have any dishes to wash!” exclaims one participant, to general hilarity. “It was super-stressful!” admits the visibly disoriented volunteer. “I suddenly realized how much my wife does at home: she never rests!”

(Article continued in right column)

(click here for the article in French.)

Question related to this article:

Protecting women and girls against violence, Is progress being made?

What role should men play to stop violence against women?

(Article continued from left column)

In addition to role-playing and homework, participants in Bandeberehosessions are expected to contribute to group discussions. And reflect on their behaviour, which is often identical to that of their fathers. “The men learn to talk about their private lives and open up about their emotions, something they’re not used to doing,” says Emmanuel Karamage, a sturdy 50-year-old who coordinates the initiative for the Musanze district. “Then, they communicate better with their spouses at home.”

At a session I attended, the local leader launched a debate on sexual consent. “Before RWAMREC, there was no such thing as consent: my husband would come home drunk from the cabaret and throw himself at me without even saying hello,” says a 30-something mother of four. “If I didn’t give in, he’d hit me.” There are embarrassed murmurs from the men in the audience: they too used to act like this, but swear they’ve changed. “We’ve even introduced foreplay!” says one of them, grinning from ear to ear.

The practical exercises are also revolutionary. Like carrying a baby on your back, an ancestral technique handed down from mother to daughter. “Our fathers never did this, and nobody taught us how to do it,” says Jean-Baptiste Singiranumwe, a 31-year-old farmer. A father of two, he completed his transformation in 2022. He welcomes me to the family home in Kamugeni, in the North — an ochre house, flanked by a chicken coop and lined with pious inscriptions. Jean-Baptiste is quick to show me how he places his youngest child, delighted, on his back with the help of a wrapper, under the tender gaze of his wife, Claudine Nyiramunezero. With steady movements that he rehearsed many times in class with a doll, he beams with pride. “I feel super-connected to my child.”

A brutal ex-alcoholic, Jean-Baptiste nevertheless made life hell for his wife, who later confided in me that she’d thought of leaving him and even killing him. He was eventually sentenced to two years of prison, after violent fights in the village. Upon his release, the local RWAMREC animator, a neighbour who knew him well, came to talk to him about Bandebereho. As in the case of Jean-Dedieu and the dozens of men initiated into positive masculinity that I met during this reporting assignment, his transformation was radical. At least, that’s what they say, with the approval of their wives, even when I talk to them alone.

From the outside, this may seem inconceivable. How can such macho men change so completely in such a short time? According to Fidèle Rutayisire, founder of RWAMREC, various factors come into play, including the training style (participative), the proximity of the trainers and the unconditional support of local leaders.

A local councillor and a policeman were also present at a BAHO (Building and Strengthening Healthy Households) workshop, another RWAMREC program, which I attended in Gatsibo, Eastern Province. Both spoke to encourage the participants. “RWAMREC is helping us to stabilize security in the region,” said the policeman, standing straight in his black boots. “Peace at home is the first pillar of our country’s development.”

To better understand the real impact of positive masculinity programs in Africa, a major study was conducted by the Washington-based International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), with financial support from IDRC in Ottawa. Published in 2023, this study  (“Promoting positive masculinity  for sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality in informal settlements in sub-Saharan Africa”) covered three countries (DRC, Rwanda and Nigeria) and compared the attitudes and perceptions of men who had or had not participated in these programs (1,500 interviewees).

First observation: being made aware of positive masculinity doesn’t necessarily lead to a positive change in behaviour. “Many NGOs offering these programs lack sufficiently skilled staff and the financial resources to ensure the assessment and follow-up necessary,” observes Chimaraoke Izugbara, director, Global Health, Youth & Development at ICRW. The programs examined varied in quality, both in terms of duration (from a simple one-hour presentation to a more elaborate training course) and content. “They focus on harmony in couples, but don’t always encourage men to critically self-reflect on gender norms,” continues the Nigerian-born researcher, reached at his Washington office. “What’s more, they are often implemented without considering the country’s socio-economic and cultural context.”

Collaborating on this study in Rwanda, researcher Ilaria Buscaglia interviewed participants in the Bandebereho program, which is doing well. “The men who follow this path evolve significantly, they don’t justify any form of gender-based violence, drink less and participate more in domestic tasks,” observes this Italian anthropologist, who has been based in Rwanda since 2013, where she has worked for various NGOs, including the Men’s Resource Centre. “But more needs to be done to change gender norms: at the moment, men ‘help’ their wives and welcome the improved household income, but they consider themselves to be the heads of the family.”

The study by the Washington-based International Center for Research on Women also highlights the fact that certain themes associated with positive masculinity have a hard time breaking through, even among respondents who have attended these programs. For example, most of them have never been tested for HIV/AIDS. The same rejection applies to sexual diversity. “Homophobia is still very present, and none of these programs mention it,” says Ilaria Buscaglia. The subject is taboo (for religious and other reasons) in the three countries studied, including Rwanda, even though homosexuality is not criminalized on Rwandan soil — unlike in many African countries. “The mere mention of LGBTQ+ rights can derail all our efforts on gender equality.”

There is still a lot of work to be done to change mentalities. The large-scale deployment of the Bandebereho program, which started in 2023, could contribute to this. Previously extended to 30,000 couples, this time it aims to reach 84,000 families in the Northern Province by 2027. Carried out by the Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre in partnership with RWAMREC, this initiative is co-funded by Global Affairs Canada and IDRC ($1.2 million), and has also received support from Grand Challenges Canada ($1 million) and the Global Innovation Fund ($2.5 million).

To better reach families, the Ministry of Health relies on the network of community health workers (CHWs), volunteers who fill the gaps left by a shortage of medical staff throughout Rwanda. Some 1,600 CHWs (out of the country’s 60,000), trained by RWAMREC, recruit couples and offer the 17 Bandebereho sessions in their communities. The program will be monitored throughout the process. In the long term, the initiative, integrated into the health system, could be extended to all 30 of the country’s districts.

Inspired partly by the Rwandan experience, positive masculinity programs are proliferating in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in poor urban areas, where the need is great. As the ICRW study points out, a growing number of Africans are forced to live in slums, where gender-based violence, unwanted pregnancies and unsafe sexual practices are exploding. In addition, as in Nigeria and the DRC, years of armed conflict, insecurity and violence have increased toxic masculinity and the lack of services for sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Ivorian sociologist Ghislain Coulibaly, 45, father of three, is one of the continent’s most ardent advocates of positive masculinity. A former technical advisor to Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Women, Family and Children, and an excellent communicator, he is the author of a TEDx conference  on the subject, broadcast on YouTube. This earned him mockery and threats on social media. “Why do you want to reverse the social order?”

“A minority of Ivorian men are really aware of what’s at stake,” says the sociologist from his home in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. “Many believe that I’m dismantling their power to give it to women, and that positive masculinity perverts the values of Ivorian society.” He’s also a target for some women, who feel he takes up too much space and should let them fight their own battles.

This does not discourage him. “These criticisms are part of the societal evolution.” In 2019, Ghislain Coulibaly created the Réseau des hommes engagés pour l’égalité de genre (RHEEG) in Côte d’Ivoire. A network that has already inspired others: in the DRC in 2022 and in Cameroon this year. RHEEGs offer, among other things, activities to raise awareness among the police and military (DRC) and in elementary schools (Côte d’Ivoire).

He believes there is hope. “With the advent of digital technology and social networks, young people are much more open to other cultures and ways of doing things,” he says. “There is also an increasing number of young girls going to school.” This should rebalance male–female power dynamics. “Education is the driving force behind this transformation.”

This is also the aim of the Rwandan feminist NGO Paper Crown, which works with 14-to-19-year-olds. Its flagship program, My Voice, My Power (a four-hour weekly workshop lasting 18 weeks), aims to change young people’s minds about gender norms, and to turn them into leaders capable of influencing their peers and parents alike.

On this Saturday morning in April, about 50 registered teenagers have come to the Kayonza youth centre in the Eastern Province, a two-hour drive from Kigali, where they are conducting the training. It’s hard to tell the boys from the girls: they all wear their hair cropped, in loose-fitting T-shirts and sports shorts. After a snack of doughnuts provided by the NGO, the girls stay in the breezy room, while the boys head to a tent set up a few yards away on a grassy field.

“Before mixing the groups, we start by making it clear to the girls that social barriers limit their development, but that they have rights,” explains Clementine Nyirarukundo. Long braids, jeans and sneakers, the manager of programs and partnerships at the NGO conducts the workshop with the teenagers. “This helps them gain self-confidence.” Most of those present are still intimidated and tend to speak softly, with their gaze downcast. A visit from a Canadian journalist doesn’t help matters. But Clementine quickly puts them at ease. Today’s lesson focuses on a new method for resisting assaults (defining boundaries, de-escalation, physical self-defence tactics…). Little by little, the girls get bolder and share their experiences. Clementine insists on the importance of asserting yourself, looking up and making eye-contact when speaking.

In the tent, the boys also work on themselves. They draw self-portraits and write on each body part what affected them as children: their fears, their aspirations, their good and bad habits related to gender (entering a girl’s room without her permission, giving her a bad reputation, fighting…). “Be honest, don’t embellish anything!” says Théophile Zigirumugabe, their trainer. Jovial and eloquent, he captures their attention by using their language, foul language included. The practical exercises — aimed at both boys and girls — also include putting a condom on a banana. Earlier this morning, period products were the focus. Without any embarrassment, a slim 15-year-old presented a sanitary napkin to his group, unfolded it and placed it carefully on a pair of underwear brought by the trainers. “It eliminates the shame associated with periods,” says Clementine. “We want to show that it’s normal and that it’s part of daily life.”

There are loud shouts from the girls’ workshop at the other end of the field: “No! No! No!” The boys barely look up from their drawings. They know what’s happening. Divided into two rows facing each other, the girls practise saying “no!” to an assailant while waving a hand in front of them. “The aim is to use the voice rather than force,” says Clementine Nyirarukundo. “Everyone needs to understand that it’s a weapon.” A weapon far more powerful than any magic potion.

Isabelle Grégoire visited Rwanda at the invitation of the International Development Research Centre.

This article was originally published in the November 2024 issue  of L’actualité, under the title “L’arme de paix de la masculinité positive”
 
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Africa, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

After Ending in Overtime, COP29 Called ‘Big F U to Climate Justice’

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

An article by Jessica Corbett from Common Dreams

Critics of the “COP of false solutions” said that instead of much-needed funding, developing nations got “a global Ponzi scheme that the private equity vultures and public relations people will now exploit.”

It was early Sunday by the time the United Nations climate summit wrapped up in Baku, Azerbaijan after running into overtime to finalize deals on carbon markets and funding for developing countries that were sharply condemned by campaigners worldwide.

"COP29 was a dumpster fire. Except it's not trash that's burning—it's our planet," declared Nikki Reisch of the Center for International Environmental Law. "And developed countries are holding both the matches and the firehose."

Recalling last year's conference in the United Arab Emirates, Oil Change International global policy senior strategist Shady Khalil highlighted that "the world made a deal at COP28 to end the fossil fuel era. Now, at COP29, countries seem to have been struck with collective amnesia."

"With each new iteration of the texts, oil and gas producers managed to dilute the urgent commitment to phase out fossil fuels," Khalil said. "But let's be clear: Rich countries' failure to lead on fossil fuel phaseout and to put the trillions they have hoarded on the table has done more to imperil the energy transition than any obstructionist tactics from oil and gas producers."

This year's conference began November 11 and was due to conclude on Friday, but parties to the Paris agreement were still negotiating the carbon market rules, which were finalized late Saturday, and the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

"The carbon markets in Article 6 of the Paris agreement were pushed through COP29 in a take-it-or leave-it outcome," said Tamra Gilbertson of Indigenous Environmental Network, decrying "a new dangerous era in climate change negotiations."

As Climate Home Newsreported, they establish two types of markets: "The first—known as Article 6.2—regulates bilateral carbon trading between countries, while Article 6.4 creates a global crediting mechanism for countries to sell emissions reductions."

The outlet pointed to expert warnings that "the rules for bilateral trades under 6.2 could open the door for the sale of junk carbon credits—one of the weaknesses of the previous crediting mechanism set up by the U.N. known as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)."

Jonathan Crook of Carbon Market Watch said in a statement that "the package does not shine enough light on an already opaque system where countries won't be required to provide information about their deals well ahead of actual trades."

"Even worse, the last opportunity to strengthen the critically weak review process was largely missed," he continued. "Countries remain free to trade carbon credits that are of low quality, or even fail to comply with Article 6.2 rules, without any real oversight."

As for Article 6.4, “much lies in the hands of the supervisory body" that's set to resume work in early 2025, said Crook's colleague, Federica Dossi. "To show that it is ready to learn from past mistakes, it will have to take tough decisions next year and ensure that Article 6.4 credits will be markedly better than the units that old CDM projects will generate."

"If they are not, they will have to compete in a low-trust, low-integrity market where prices are likely to be at rock bottom and interest will be low," Dossi added. "Such a system would be a distraction, and a waste of 10 years worth of carbon market negotiations."

Some campaigners suggested that no matter what lies ahead, the embrace of carbon markets represents a failure. Kirtana Chandrasekaran at Friends of the Earth International
said that "the supposed 'COP of climate finance' has turned into the 'COP of false solutions.' The U.N. has given its stamp of approval to fraudulent and failed carbon markets."

"We have seen the impacts of these schemes: land grabs, Indigenous peoples' and human rights violations," Chandrasekaran noted. "The now-operationalized U.N. global carbon market may well be worse than existing voluntary ones and will continue to provide a get out of jail free card to Big Polluters whilst devastating communities and ecosystems."

Chandrasekaran's colleague Seán McLoughlin at Friends of the Earth Ireland was similarly critical of the conference's finance deal, asserting that "Baku is a big F U to climate justice, to the poorest communities who are on the frontlines of climate breakdown."

"COP29 has failed those who have done least to cause climate change and who are most vulnerable to climate breakdown because the process is still in thrall to fossil fuel bullies and rich countries more committed to shirking their historical responsibility than safeguarding our common future," he said. "Now it's back to citizens to demand our governments do the right thing. We must keep demanding the trillions, not billions owed in climate debt and a comprehensive, swift, and equitable fossil fuel phaseout. The struggle for climate justice is not over."

(continued in right column)

Questions for this article:

Sustainable Development Summits of States, What are the results?

(Article continued from the left column)

Campaigners and developing nations fought for $1.3 trillion in annual climate finance from those most responsible for the planetary crisis. Instead, the NCQG document only directs developed countries to provide the Global South with $300 billion per year by 2035, with a goal of reaching the higher figure by also seeking funds from private sources.

The deal almost didn't happen at all. As The Guardiandetailed Saturday: "Developed countries including the U.K., the U.S., and E.U. members were pushed into raising their offer from an original $250 billion a year tabled on Friday, to $300 billion. Poor countries argued for more, and in the early evening two groups representing some of the world's poorest countries walked out of one key meeting, threatening to collapse the negotiations."

While Simon Stiell, executive secretary of U.N. Climate Change, celebrated the NCQG as "an insurance policy for humanity, amid worsening climate impacts hitting every country," Chiara Martinelli, director at Climate Action Network Europe, put it in the context of the $100 billion target set in 2009, which wealthy governments didn't meet.

"Rich countries own the responsibility for the failed outcome at COP29," Martinelli
said. "The talk of tripling from the $100 billion goal might sound impressive, but in reality, it falls far short, barely increasing from the previous commitment when adjusted for inflation and considering the bulk of this money will come in the form of unsustainable loans. This is not solidarity. It's smoke and mirrors that betray the needs of those on the frontlines of the climate crisis."

Also stressing that "it's not even real 'money,' by and large," but rather "a motley mix of loans and privatized investment," Oxfam International's climate change policy lead, Nafkote Dabi, called the agreement "a global Ponzi scheme that the private equity vultures and public relations people will now exploit."

"The terrible verdict from the Baku climate talks shows that rich countries view the Global South as ultimately expendable, like pawns on a chessboard," Dabi charged. "The $300 billion so-called 'deal' that poorer countries have been bullied into accepting is unserious and dangerous—a soulless triumph for the rich, but a genuine disaster for our planet and communities who are being flooded, starved, and displaced today by climate breakdown."

Rachel Cleetus from the Union of Concerned Scientists, who is in Baku, took aim at not only rich governments, but also the host, saying that "the Azerbaijani COP29 Presidency's ineptitude in brokering an agreement at this consequential climate finance COP will go down in ignominy."

Cleetus' group is based in the United States, which is preparing for a January transfer of power from Democratic President Joe Biden to Republican President-elect Donald Trump, who notably ditched the Paris agreement during his first term.

"The United States—the world's largest historical contributor of heat-trapping emissions—is going to see a monumental shift in its global diplomacy posture as the incoming anti-science Trump administration will likely exit the Paris agreement and take a wrecking ball to domestic climate and clean energy policies," Cleetus warned. "While some politically and economically popular clean energy policies may prove durable and action from forward-looking states and businesses will be significant, there's no doubt that a lack of robust federal leadership will leave U.S. climate action hobbled for a time."

"Other nations—including E.U. countries and China—will need to do what they can to fill the void," she stressed. "Between now and COP30 in Brazil next year, nations have a lot of ground to make up to have any hope of limiting runaway climate change."

Ben Goloff of the U.S.-based Center for Biological Diversity called out the departing Biden administration, arguing that it "should be going out with at least a signal of its moral climate commitment, not copping out ahead of the Trump 2.0 disaster."brokering an agreement at this consequential climate finance COP will go down in ignominy.”
Cleetus’ group is based in the United States, which is preparing for a January transfer of power from Democratic President Joe Biden to Republican President-elect Donald Trump, who notably ditched the Paris agreement during his first term.

“The United States—the world’s largest historical contributor of heat-trapping emissions—is going to see a monumental shift in its global diplomacy posture as the incoming anti-science Trump administration will likely exit the Paris agreement and take a wrecking ball to domestic climate and clean energy policies,” Cleetus warned. “While some politically and economically popular clean energy policies may prove durable and action from forward-looking states and businesses will be significant, there’s no doubt that a lack of robust federal leadership will leave U.S. climate action hobbled for a time.”

“Other nations—including E.U. countries and China—will need to do what they can to fill the void,” she stressed. “Between now and COP30 in Brazil next year, nations have a lot of ground to make up to have any hope of limiting runaway climate change.”

Ben Goloff of the U.S.-based Center for Biological Diversity called out the departing Biden administration, arguing that it “should be going out with at least a signal of its moral climate commitment, not copping out ahead of the Trump 2.0 disaster.”

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global, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, United Nations

Book review: A World Parliament – Governance and Democracy in the 21st Century

.. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION ..

Book review from Democracy without Borders

Global challenges such as war, poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental destruction are overwhelming nation-states and today’s international institutions. Even the best policies are futile if there are no appropriate political structures in place to implement them. Autocracy and nationalism further undermine global collaboration. 

Achieving a peaceful, just and sustainable world civilization requires an evolutionary leap forward. Following the emergence of democracy in ancient times and its spread to modern states from the 18th century onwards, a third democratic transformation is imminent: expanding democracy to the global scale. The creation of a democratic world parliament is the centerpiece of this project. 

This book explores the history, contemporary relevance and implementation of this monumental idea. 

This updated and revised edition expands the size by about one fifth.

Published in July 2024, 541 pages.

About the book

History and pioneers

The first part of the book explores the philosophical foundations of cosmopolitanism and a world parliament since ancient times. It fills a gap in the literature by tracing the history of the idea and of the attempts to bring it about from the French Revolution to the present day. In this regard, the book also serves as a comprehensive reference.

Contemporary relevance

The second part sets the issue in the context of global challenges such as climate change and planetary boundaries, the management of public goods, the pandemic threat, the stability of the financial system, combating tax evasion, terrorism and organized crime, disarmament, and protecting human rights. The construction of global democracy also plays a decisive role in combating hunger, poverty and inequality and in global water policy. Rapid developments in the fields of bio- and nanotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence are giving rise to fundamental questions that humanity is not prepared for.

(continued in right column)

Questions for this article:

How can parliamentarians promote a culture of peace?

(continued from left column)

There is an overarching narrative that exposes the dysfunctions and deficiencies of the international system. At the same time, the alternative of a democratic world order and its underlying principles is presented with increasing depth. The authors stress that there is a right to democracy that applies not only to the national but also to the global level. Against the backdrop of the power structures of the transnational elite, the book argues for the implementation of a new global social contract. Finally, it outlines the contours of a new global enlightenment as well as the emergence of planetary consciousness and global solidarity.

Implementation

The third part discusses pathways, drivers and conditions for a transition to global democracy and outlines elements of a future global constitution. The book suggests that the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly represents a first step that is long overdue.

Second edition

The second edition reflects significant developments since the original publication, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic, autocratization, and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. It incorporates linguistic improvements, updated content, extensive revisions, and additions throughout the book.

Review

“A World Parliament achieves several things. First, it shows how the campaign to create a people’s assembly at the UN carries the baton forward in a long history of efforts to overcome nationalist and racist hatred, discrimination and oppression. Second, it demonstrates why the world’s multiple challenges and crises cannot be addressed effectively and legitimately without a democratic body where everyone on the planet is represented as free and equal. Third, it offers a stirring vision of such a world parliament and a realistic plan of action for bringing it about. Each of these is a major accomplishment. Achieving them all in one book is a triumph.”

Mathias Koenig-Archibugi, Associate Professor of Global Politics in the Departments of Government and International Relations, London School of Economics and Political Sciences

The authors

Andreas Bummel: founder of Democracy Without Borders and the international Campaign for a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. 

Jo Leinen: former member of the European Parliament and former minister of the environment in the German state of Saarland

(Thank you to Peter Newton for sending this article to CPNN.)

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DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, global

Ontario youth advance a culture of peace

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from Bahai

What does it mean to be a “practitioner of peace” in today’s world? For over 700 young people who gathered at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo this question sparked profound conversations about how to nurture communities that can embody the fundamental principles of peace through practical action.

The two-day conference drew participants from 92 localities across Ontario—from those within walking distance of the venue to a group who undertook a 15-hour journey from Thunder Bay.

Several participants spoke with the News Service, reflecting on their community-building experiences and shared insights from their discussions at the conference.

Fostering a culture of peace

Attendees described how everyday efforts to create spiritual and social conditions for unity are gradually fostering a culture of peace in their neighborhoods. In these places, people are striving to give expression to the principle of the equality of women and men and are developing a heightened awareness of the essential need for justice and fairness in all aspects of community life—from how decisions are made to how knowledge is shared and applied.

Through Bahá’í community-building initiatives that promote genuine love and durable bonds among individuals, people from diverse groups that once had limited interaction are discovering their inherent oneness and learning to work together for the common good.

“There’s a lot of destruction, hurt, and pain in the world,” said Naya, who is 17 years old. “This is the time for us to come together as a community,” she continued, “to uplift… and take care of each other, because we are one.”

Shidan, 15, from a locality where families of diverse ethnic backgrounds reside, elaborated: “In the past, people in my community were separated by caste, religion, and economic status.

“But through the spiritual education of the younger generation, we’ve found ways to bring our families, who are from different groups, together to have a common conversation about the future of our community.”

He added: “When I think about working toward peace, I see it already in the vibrant community celebrations we hold at our neighborhood center, in the dance group that started and recently had its first anniversary, and in the devotional gatherings that draw all of us from seemingly different backgrounds to see our inherent oneness.”

Removing barriers to unity through consultation

In communities where Bahá’í educational endeavors are taking root, consultation has emerged as a powerful tool for fostering a culture of peace through collective decision-making. Participants are discovering how to transcend social barriers and build agreement.

Participants of the conference highlighted how spaces for consultation have the power to reveal our shared humanity. Perma, 20, said, “In these moments, barriers are broken down. People come together, discover common ground, and realize that they are all striving toward the same aspirations.”

Speaking about the unique nature of these consultative spaces, Jenny, 18, said, “Not many places provide opportunities to discuss life’s most important issues.

“Sometimes, you want to talk about significant topics but don’t know when or where to do it. …Bahá’í spiritual education activities provide that space, allowing us to explore critical issues and think about practical solutions.”

Strengthening a sense of purpose through service

Participants of the conference observed that a striking feature of Bahá’í community-building activities is how they nurture in young people the capacity to rise above prejudice and channel their energies toward constructive change. Attendees spoke about how serving others, particularly those younger than themselves, has reshaped their understanding of what youth can achieve.

Many of these participants serve as teachers of Bahá’í moral classes for children or facilitators of groups for adolescents. “You see them progress,” shared Preeti, who is 16. “They’re becoming more open and more social. …They have more ideas. They’re raising their hands more. …It’s such a big thing.”

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Question related to this article:
 
Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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David, 15, described how his involvement in Bahá’í educational programs awakened his sense of purpose—echoing a central theme of the gathering:

“You can take action now. You don’t have to wait until you’re older,” said David.

“Realizing I could contribute to my community was truly empowering and has inspired me to assist in the development of those younger than me.”

Through the experience of service, participants described how a shared vision of social progress has enabled them to face challenges with greater resilience. As they support one another in addressing difficulties, their unity of purpose strengthens their collective capacity to persevere through daily challenges.

United by this spirit of mutual support, participants are discovering how their combined efforts, guided by spiritual principles, can transform their neighborhoods in ways that would be impossible to achieve alone.

David explained that witnessing the difficulties young people encounter motivated him to engage them in service to their neighbors. “We began by observing the needs of our neighborhood and determining how we could address them,” he said.

One particular experience left a lasting impression on him. “We assisted a neighbor who was living alone and had accumulated a significant amount of garbage that she couldn’t move while she was pregnant. As we worked together, clearing the yard and planting roses, I noticed the children’s smiles,” he recalled. “They even began asking questions about why we were doing this and how we could expand these efforts.”

David reflected on the broader impact of these actions. “It brought me great happiness to see how, by shifting their focus to service, the negative environment they had been exposed to was gradually being transformed.”

Living a coherent life

The conference explored how achieving lasting social change requires a profound transformation in how young people view their lives and purpose.

Participants discussed how certain patterns of thought often separate academic achievement, personal development, and service to society into distinct domains. However, through their engagement with Bahá’í moral and spiritual education programs, these youth are discovering a more integrated approach to life.

Reflecting on how this integrated understanding challenges prevailing notions of value and success, Ken, 19, said: “Other young people come and ask us why we do this, why we help the community, why we help them and what value we get out of it. What I tell them is that the value you’re thinking of is monetary value… You’re thinking about how ‘I can help myself,’ … ‘If I get anything out of it.’”

Ken added that the real reward comes from seeing positive change in their communities and contributing to others’ well-being—a fulfillment that transcends material considerations.

This understanding is reshaping how youth are approaching their career choices. Perma described her journey: “When I started my career, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I chose healthcare to help people but was confused about my role.

“Now, I see a new direction in policymaking because many issues in the healthcare system need addressing. It’s easy to complain about what’s wrong, but realizing I can make a difference is powerful. I want to shift my career so I’m not waiting for change but actively initiating it and contributing to my community.”

Looking ahead, the youth made plans for activities in the coming months that could engage over 20,000 of their peers in a growing movement dedicated to community transformation through systematic, collective action.

As these youth return to their communities to implement their plans, their enthusiasm points to the far-reaching impact of their collective efforts. As Livia, a 19-year-old from Stratford, expressed, “I can’t wait to see what this conference is going to bring for the future.”

The Bahá’í World News Service has released a short documentary about the conference and the efforts of youth in Ontario toward the common good, which can be viewed here.

(Thank you to Peter Newton for having sent this article to CPNN.)

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North America, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

President Claudia Sheinbaum at the G20: Mexico’s Role on the Global Stage

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION .

An article by Pablo Guillén & Emilio Dorantes Galeana for the Wilson Center (abridged)

The 2024 G20 Rio de Janeiro summit is the nineteenth meeting of the Group of Twenty (G20), a Heads of State and Government meeting taking place in Rio de Janeiro from 18–19 November 2024.  

Sheinbaum speaking to the G20

The G20 is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 sovereign countries, the European Union (EU), and the African Union (AU). The group works to address major issues related to the global economy, such as international financial stability, climate change mitigation and sustainable development, through annual meetings of Heads of State and Heads of Government. 

The 19 official member countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and United States. Although there are also guest countries in every meeting.   . . .

This is President Sheinbaum’s first international appearance since taking office in October. Her participation in the G20 summit represents Mexico’s reengagement with major international forums after years of withdrawal under former President López Obrador. Sheinbaum criticized the rise in global military spending and advocated for increased investment in reforestation programs. She argued that allocating just 1% of global military spending to reforestation programs could significantly impact poverty, migration, and climate change mitigation. 

“What is happening in our world when, in just two years, spending on weapons has grown almost three times as much as the world economy? How is it that the economy of destruction has reached an expenditure of more than $2.4 trillion? How is it that 700 million people in the world still live below the poverty line?” Sheinbaum began her participation with these questions, to give way to the general philosophy of her proposal: “I come on behalf of a generous, supportive and wise people to call on the great nations to build and not to destroy. To forge peace, fraternity and equality. Call us idealists, but I prefer that to being conformists.” 

“I belong to a generation that fought against repression, authoritarianism, for social justice and democracy, and I come from a great people who decided to establish, through peaceful means, a new history for my country,” she said. “Since our political project began in 2018, Mexico has been building a new course […]. The dogma of neoliberal faith, that the market resolves everything, has been left behind.”  

Sheinbaum repeated one of the major slogans of her predecessor López Obrador: “For the good of all, the poor first.” Furthermore, Sheinbaum highlighted the success of the Sembrando Vida program, which was presented by the Mexican government to the United States as a tool to mitigate migratory flows. “We allocate $1.7 billion each year to support 439,000 families in Mexico, and 40,000 in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. In six years, more than one million hectares have been reforested, with the planting of 1.1 billion trees.”

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Questions related to this article:

Where in the world can we find good leadership today?

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The idea includes a global commitment to the summit’s goals. “With this, we would help mitigate global warming and restore the social fabric by helping communities get out of poverty. The proposal is to stop sowing wars and instead sow peace and sow life.” 

Key Highlights of Mexico´s Proposal: 

° Ambitious Scale: The initiative would reforest 15 million hectares an area four times the size of Denmark or equivalent to all of Guatemala, Belize, and El Salvador combined. 

° Job Creation: It aims to employ 6 million tree planters, offering livelihoods to vulnerable communities while combating environmental degradation. 

° Inspiration: Sheinbaum cited Mexico’s Sembrando Vida program as a proven model, which supports rural families with wages and technical training, resulting in the planting of over 1 billion trees and the capture of 30 million tons of CO₂ annually. 

Private dialogues and meetings 

President Sheinbaum held private dialogues with the representatives of France, Vietnam, Colombia, China, Canada and the United States. Likewise, she held a group meeting with representatives from Chile, Colombia and Brazil.  

° Emmanuel Macron (France): Both presidents agreed to cooperate on key issues, including water management, healthcare, and infrastructure development. They also committed to jointly promoting gender equality, emphasizing its importance as a global priority.  

° Pham Minh Chinh (Vietnam): Both leaders agreed to strengthen cultural ties between Mexico and Vietnam.  

° Gustavo Preto (Colombia): Both presidents highlighted the strength of the relationship between Mexico and Colombia, based on cooperation, trade and the deep cultural ties that unite both countries. 

° Xi Jinping (China): Both leaders discussed Mexico and China´s relationship and the investment space that the Asian country has, considering the trade agreement (USMCA) that Mexico has with North America. Moreover, Sheinbaum expressed gratitude for China’s support in aiding Acapulco’s recovery after the devastating hurricane it faced.  

° Justin Trudeau (Canada): Both leaderscelebrated the strong relationship between their peoples and governments. They also acknowledged the importance and positive impact of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on the region.

° Joe Biden (United States): Both presidents discussed key bilateral issues. According to a statement from the White House, the two leaders emphasized the need to maintain cooperation on migration, security, and combating transnational criminal violence. They also addressed economic matters, stating the strength of the US-Mexico bilateral partnership as a key element for mutual progress. Also at the meeting, President Sheinbaum asked President Biden for information on the capture of drug-lord Jesus “El Mayo” Zambada.

° Lula da Silva (Brazil), Gustavo Petro (Colombia) and Gabriel Boric (Chile): In the joint meeting the four presidents agreed on the importance of working together as the Latin-American progressive governments and spoke of the importance of maintaining such relationships. 

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FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, global, Latin America,