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.

Colombia ceasefire is a step forward for the culture of peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

At CPNN we have received numerous statements welcoming the recent ceasefire in Colombia. Here are some of them.

Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations:

“Today the Colombian peace process validates the perseverance of all those around the world who work to end violent conflict not through the destruction of the adversary, but through the patient search for compromise,”

havana
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, President of Colombia, at the ceremony in Havana for the signing of a ceasefire
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Amada Benavides, FUNDACIÓN ESCUELAS DE PAZ, Colombia:

Today at 12:39 when President Santos and the FARC leader signed the agreement, all of us, our partners and myself, only can to cry. After 60 years of war, we not really believe what it happened in that moment. Many of us never think in could seeing this moment. 

At night, we had a workshop about WOMEN, DIVERSITY AND PEACE and the feeling turned between hope, fear and anxiety. Hope for the possibilities the agreement has. Fear for many populations is not yet convinced in the benefits of peace; and anxiety for all the work we have in this moment.

Peacebuilding moment starts just now. Today we need more support than ever.

Thanks for your words and solidarity.

PEACE NOW…. PEACE EDUCATION THE WAY. 

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Question(s) related to this article:

What is happening in Colombia, Is peace possible?

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Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile:

“El poder llegar a esta etapa, de este nivel de acuerdo, que significa el fin del conflicto armado, a la definición de un cronograma muy claro de cómo se va a implementar este proceso y asegurar que los colombianos puedan vivir por primera vez en paz, creo que es algo realmente histórico.”

(CPNN translation: “The ability to reach this stage, this level of agreement, which means the end of the armed conflict, defining a very clear timetable of how to implement this process and ensure that Colombians can live for the first time in peace, I think it is something truly historic ”

Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders:

“We are encouraged by the work so far accomplished in Havana and by the perseverance of both parties in moving the peace process towards a successful conclusion. We commend the important roles that Norway and Cuba are playing as guarantors and Chile and Venezuela as accompanying countries, as well as the US. We also welcome the role a United Nations political mission will play in providing independent and credible international verification of the ceasefire.”

Ernesto Zedillo, member of The Elders:

“Colombia is on the cusp of reaching an historic agreement. The Colombian people deserve peace and I sincerely hope they will seize this opportunity to end the violence they have lived through for generations, to bring redress for millions of victims, and to bring real opportunities to the people of the regions most affected by conflict. Peace is not an event but a process. It must be a national project, bringing together all Colombian patriots in an inclusive fashion, across political rifts, to have a respectful debate when they vote on the agreements and to ensure they are fully implemented.”

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

Ceasefire between FARC and the government of Colombia is sealed in Cuba

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

An article from News Marti (translated by CPNN)

On Thursday, June 23, Colombia ended over half a century of bloody armed conflict, with the signing of a historic agreement for ceasefire and disarmament between the government of Juan Manuel Santos and the leftist guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC ).

acuerdo
The delegate of the FARC in Cuba, Rodrigo Londoño Echeverri, alias “Timoshenko” (right) and the president of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos (left) with the president of Cuba, Raul Castro (center) with the peace agreement in their hands.
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The final peace agreement will be signed in Colombia, said the president of that country Juan Manuel Santos, who thanked Cuba and Raul Castro for hosting the peace process.

At a ceremony held in Havana, Santos and the commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Rodrigo Londoño, or ‘Timoshenko’, listened to the reading of an agreement detailing how some 7,000 rebels will lay down arms and how they will demobilize once the final peace agreement is signed.

The announcement was made by the delegates of the guarantor countries, Cuba and Norway, in the presence of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the presidents of Mexico, Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, among others in the region.

“The decision of the parties represents a breakthrough step, the peace process is irreversible,” said the president of Cuba, Raul Castro. “Peace will be the victory of all Colombia but also throughout our America.”

The FARC agreed to surrender their weapons and leave them in the hands of the UN, which will build three monuments with them.

(Click here for the original Spanish article)

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Question(s) related to this article:

What is happening in Colombia, Is peace possible?

Does Cuba promote a culture of peace?

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The bilateral ceasefire and surrender of the weapons will begin with the signing of the final peace agreement and this last point will have a term development of 180 days.

To this end, a monitoring group composed of delegates from the UN will be created by the FARC and the Colombian government to verify the delivery of the guns.

Also announced was he creation of areas and camps for demobilized guerrillas and commitment by the authorities to combat paramilitary groups, by means of a special unit of the Colombian police.

It will also seek to protect political parties, including the movement that “emerge” from the transition from the FARC to civil and political life.

There are still outstanding issues related to the countersignature of agreements to give legal and legal support to them so that they cannot be overturned by a subsequent government. Santos’s mandate ends in August 2018.

“The final peace agreement will be signed in Colombia”, Santos said. “Today I finally thank Cuba and President Raul Castro, our generous host.”

The former president of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, is opposed to the peace process. He said that with this agreement, “the word peace has been wounded” and the Colombian Constitution and international treaties have been violated.

“The word peace has been wounded by accepted those responsible for crimes against humanity such as kidnapping, car bombs, recruitment of children and rape of girls, and by allowing them to spend not a single day in jail and to be elected to public positions,” he said in a statement.

“Impunity, besides being the midwife of further violence, means that the Agreements of Havana is in violation of the Constitution and international treaties to which Colombia is a signatory,” said Uribe.

The former president, who has not been in favor of dialogue with the guerrillas, began several weeks ago a campaign of “civil resistance” to the Havana agreements, including collecting signatures and public demonstrations.

Uribe said Thursday that the Santos government has agreed to “negotiate with terrorists” our democratic model, economic freedoms and social policies.”

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

The Peace Prize for city initiatives in conflict prevention, resolution or peace building

.. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION ..

Adapted from the flyer and website of the UCLG City of Bogotá Peace Prize

Has your local government successfully worked to prevent or overcome conflict or to create dialogue? Or does it help local governments in conflict areas in their efforts to achieve or maintain peace? Then consider nominating it for the UCLG City of Bogotá Peace Prize!

prize
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The UCLG City of Bogotá Peace Prize is a triennial award for (a coalition of) local governments that have implemented initiatives in conflict prevention, resolution or peace building, that are proven to have had a significant positive impact. The prize aims to contribute to full acknowledgement of the important but often overlooked role of local governments as peace building actors, thus creating a more effective approach to conflict resolution.

Nominations can be submitted through the website of the Peace Prize until the 30th of June 2016. The application form is online at : http://www.peaceprize.uclg.org/en/apply.

Nominated cases are assessed by a high level expert jury. The winning local government will receive a modest prize package worth €20.000, aimed at strengthening its peace projects and facilitating learning and exchange.

The first award ceremony of the UCLG City of Bogotá Peace Prize will take place at the UCLG World Congress in Bogotá, on 12-15 October 2016. Here, the local governments that will be nominated as finalists will get the opportunity to present their approaches and the jury will declare the final winner.

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Questions for this article:

How can culture of peace be developed at the municipal level?

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The members of the jury are:

Lakhdar Brahimi holds a commendable array of experiences in international relations and is now considered to be among the most prominent human rights and peace advocates in the world. His background has ensured him membership of the The Elders: a group consisting of independent global leaders working together for peace and human rights.

Dr. Tarik Kupusovic has been the Lord Mayor of Sarajevo during the second half of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the siege of Sarajevo (1994-96). As President of the country’s Association of Towns and Cities he has established close relations with many cities and mayors of the world to restore the workings of local autonomous government in his country’s devastated cities.

Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira of the Republic of Rwanda is the Deputy Executive Director and Assistant Secretary-General for UN-HABITAT providing critical leadership to promote sustainable cities and human settlements globally.

Dr. Tadatoshi Akiba is the former mayor of Hiroshima and has considerable experience in communicating the dire realities of atomic bombing and has brought great improvements to municipal policies in the field of fiscal health, transparency, citizen service and youth violence.

Rafael Grasa is the President of the International Catalan Institute for Peace. In his research, Professor Grasa focuses on the resolution and transformation of conflict, non-military aspects of security and human security, decentralized governance and prevention of violent behaviour.

Wim Deetman is the former mayor of The Hague and has been instrumental in positioning the city in the international peace and security domain leading to the International Criminal Court being situated in The Hague. As a legacy for his political engagement the Wim Deetman Foundation has been established in his name providing students from developing countries the chance to pursue a master`s degree in the area of peace and justice in The Hague.

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, global

Muhammad Ali’s American Faith Journey

…. HUMAN RIGHTS ….

An article by Varun Soni in the Huffington Post (reprinted according to the principle of “fair use”)

Muhammad Ali was the greatest athlete of the 20th century and arguably the most famous athlete to ever live. His extraordinary record of athletic achievement includes six Kentucky Golden Gloves titles, two national Golden Gloves titles, an Olympic gold medal, and three World Heavyweight Championships. Heralded for his eloquence and loquaciousness, Ali was a poet with a flair for the theatrical who redefined what it meant to be an athlete in the public sphere. Indeed, the convergence of his craft and charisma resurrected professional boxing with Ali as its undisputed ambassador. Named “Sportsman of the Century” by Sports Illustrated and “Sports Personality of the Century” by BBC, it is difficult to accurately convey how dramatically Ali transformed the global sports landscape. But despite Ali’s unparalleled accolades as a professional boxer, his most profound legacy is that of a moral leader, peace ambassador, civil rights icon, and global humanitarian, a legacy that emerges from his deep religious beliefs and spiritual convictions.

Muhammed Ali
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In 1964, a promising young boxing champion named Cassius Clay converted to Islam, became Muhammad Ali, and embarked upon one of the most visible and impactful faith journeys in American history, a journey that would take him from being one of America’s most divisive figures to one of its most beloved. Ali came to Islam through the Nation of Islam and his personal friendship with Malcolm X, who challenged Ali to translate his religious beliefs into social action. Like Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali would eventually leave the Nation of Islam, but he continued his faith journey as a Sunni Muslim, and later as an adherent of Sufism, which represents the mystical dimensions of Islam.

In 1967, Muhammad Ali refused to participate in the draft for the Vietnam War, citing his religious beliefs in his petition as a conscientious objector. As a result, in the prime of his boxing career, Ali was convicted of draft evasion, stripped of his heavyweight championship, and banned from professional boxing. For almost four years, Ali appealed his case while remaining one of the most prominent and outspoken opponents of the Vietnam War. Finally, in the landmark decision of Clay, aka Ali, v. United States (1971), the United States Supreme Court unanimously upheld Ali’s conscientious objector claim and dismissed all charges against him.

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By sacrificing the peak years of his professional boxing career and relinquishing his heavyweight boxing title in order to promote a culture of peace, Ali became firmly enshrined in the pantheon of the world’s great peace icons. In 1998, Ali’s status as an international peace luminary was cemented as he was officially named a United Nations Messenger of Peace. Ali was also the recipient of Amnesty International’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Germany’s Otto Hahn Peace Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Muhammad Ali’s journey from sportsman to statesman, from fighter to peacemaker, was more than just symbolic. Indeed, his post-fighting career is replete with examples of his courageous public diplomacy initiatives. He negotiated the release of 15 American hostages from Iraq during the first Gulf War; he spearheaded reconciliation programs in South Africa and Vietnam; he delivered medical aid and supplies to Cuba; and he traveled to North Korea and Afghanistan as a goodwill ambassador. Additionally, as a philanthropist, he raised millions of dollars for Parkinson’s research, distributed meals to homeless families in the United States, and participated in the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics.

Muhammad Ali’s dedication to global peace, public diplomacy, and philanthropy exemplified his foundational belief in Islam as a religion of peace. Accordingly, throughout his public religious life, Ali remained the most important Muslim in the world. His renowned status in the Muslim world made him a significant global leader, for he is as beloved in Kenya and Kuwait as he is in his native Kentucky. And after 9/11, Ali publicly denounced terrorism while promoting the core values of Islam – peace, charity, humility, justice, beauty, and grace – prompting Slate magazine to describe him as the “Dalai Lama of the post-9/11 world.”

Ultimately, Muhammad Ali’s root identity as an American Muslim empowered him to claim a mantle of moral authority and do the prophetic work of peace and justice. In doing so, he embodied the hopes, dreams, aspirations, and promise of the Muslim American community. Reflecting upon his unique faith journey, Ali said, “I set out on a journey of love, seeking truth, peace, and understanding.” His remarkable journey endures as a quintessentially American journey of reconciliation and redemption.

HUMAN RIGHTS, North America

MOAS & EMERGENCY NGO partner up to provide rescue and medical care to migrants in the Mediterranean

TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY .

An article by MOAS, Migrant Offshore Aid Station

A joint operation by Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) and EMERGENCY NGO, humanitarian organisation which provides medical care, will leave Malta today [6th June] aboard the Responder, one of the two MOAS’ search and rescue vessels which will patrol the world’s deadliest migrant crossing: the central Mediterranean.

MOAS
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The Italian Red Cross will provide post-rescue care aboard the second MOAS boat – the Phoenix – which will also set sail today alongside the Responder.

More than 2,510 people have already died in 2016 attempting the crossing: In May, 1,138 people died or went missing in a single week attempting to reach Europe. With today’s launch, more desperate people seeking refuge in Europe will be rescued and given expert medical care.

EMERGENCY NGO will be operating from the MOAS vessel Responder to guarantee the post rescue assistance, in particular medical care and cultural mediation for the rescued migrants. The team is composed by 6 people including doctors, nurses, cultural mediators and a coordinator.

MOAS’ vessels Phoenix and Responder are, respectively, 40-metre & 52 metres long. Phoenix is equipped with two Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 (drones), and both ships have two high-speed rescue boats, a 20-strong professional crew of seafarers, rescuers, doctors and paramedics as well as a fully-stocked clinic to provide emergency search, rescue and medical care.

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Question for this article

The refugee crisis, Who is responsible?

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“No one deserves to die at sea and yet last month was one of the deadliest on record with as many as 1,000 having perished in the Mediterranean. Hundreds more will continue to die unless we bolster the professional search and rescue effort,” said MOAS founder Christopher Catrambone. “Our partners on board ensure that excellent post rescue care is provided to migrants who have already endured severe trauma”.

So far, the Migrant Offshore Aid Station has saved the lives of over 13,000 people.

“For more than 20 years, EMERGENCY has been working in war and poverty stricken countries. Thus, we know very well what these people are fleeing from when they take a boat in the attempt to reach Europe”, said EMERGENCY President, Cecilia Strada. “For two years, we’ve been working at the Sicilian ports offering socio-medical assistance to who lands. And today we are happy to bring our experience and expertise at sea, together with MOAS”.

So far, EMERGENCY NGO has assisted over 20,000 migrants landed in Sicily, with its team working in the ports of Pozzallo, Augusta and Porto Empedocle.

MOAS is a registered foundation consisting of professional search and rescue crew, onshore staff and supported by a global network of supporters. It works to mitigate the loss of life at sea along the world’s deadliest migrant routes because no one deserves to die at sea. Since its inception MOAS has assisted over 13,000 migrants and refugees in distress.

EMERGENCY NGO is an independent organization that provides free, high quality medical and surgical treatment to the victims of war, landmines and poverty and promotes a culture of peace and respect for human rights. Since its inception, over 7 million people have received free, high quality health care by EMERGENCY NGO.

Further Information
For interviews requests please to MOAS team please contact: Anne Kennedy, +35679900097, akennedy@moas.eu;
For interviews requests to EMERGENCY team please contact:
Simonetta Gola +39 348 3034282 simonetta.gola@emergency.it; Valeria Brigida +39 348 9582943 valeria.brigida@emergency.it, www.emergency.it;

Europe, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

USA: Ashland Culture of Peace Commission explores peace education

. .DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION. .

An article by Patricia Sempowich for the Ashland Daily Tidings (reprinted according to Creative Commons)

Among the eight sectors of the Peace Wheel that define the outreach of the Ashland Culture of Peace Commission (ACPC), education is key to developing a culture that promotes peace. Maria Montessori believed education is the most powerful and universal way to reconstruct society and said, “Averting war is the work of politicians; establishing peace is the work of education.”

Ashland

Peace is a learned behavior. The process of learning to be peaceful is a path of discovery that never ends. Engagement with others in the community through caring, compassion and empathy provides an environment of trust in which peace education thrives.

Peace education promotes knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that create change. It encourages living in harmony with oneself, others and the natural world. The Ashland Culture of Peace Commission has joined a growing international movement of people and organizations who are bringing forward active peace-building programs.

The ACPC Peace Education Team consists of two educators, two mediation professionals and a filmmaker. We recently met with Patty Michiels, the Director of Instruction & Human Resources for the Ashland School District (ASD). We discovered that the ASD is dedicated to peace building through the use of MindUp, developed by the Hawn Foundation.

MindUP teaches social and emotional learning skills that link cognitive neuroscience, positive psychology and mindful awareness training utilizing a brain-centric approach. It is a research-based training program for educators and children. This program is composed of 15 lessons based in neuroscience. Students learn to self-regulate behavior and mindfully engage in focused concentration required for academic success (for more,go to thehawnfoundation.org).

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Questions for this article:

Where is peace education taking place?

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The MindUp curriculum supports social skills and emotional health through a framework known as Positive Behavior Support. PBS offers peace education tools that encourage listening and compassion and promote an environment of understanding. These tools, along with other strategies, teach students how to deal with difficult emotions and conflict.

Another peace-building expression found in area schools is brought by Medford-based Resolve Center for Dispute Resolution and Restorative Justice.

Resolve describes restorative justice as “a philosophy and practice based on a core set of principles that emphasize healing and repair over punishment, inclusion over exclusion, and individual accountability with a high level of community support.”

Restorative practices are increasingly being used to improve school climate and culture and to address student behavior. Resolve has been active in four area school districts this year, and the number of school-based projects will double next year. Students, staff and parents of the John Muir and Ashland Middle Schools benefit from these practices.

The ACPC Peace Education team meets twice a month to discuss strategies, develop programs and plan educational events. Current plans are to follow the lead of the StarShine Academy Charter School in Phoenix, Arizona, and establish Eleven Days of Peace in September. Beginning on 9/11 and culminating on the International Day of Peace 9/21, Ashland will celebrate peace in our community and in our schools.

Plans already in development for the Eleven Days of Peace include essays and poems by middle and high school students and singing, dancing, art and circle games for elementary students. The essays, poems and artwork will be collected into a book — a culture of peace treasure created by Ashland students.

In the coming months, the Education Team will be inviting special guests to share a variety of Peace Education programs, art and activities with the community. If you would like to participate, please contact Patricia at comco219@ashlandhome.net.

With active peace building programs in our schools and community, Ashland is working to help our young people understand and value a peaceful society. The powerful tool of peace education will help our youth resolve problems by developing self-responsibility and respect for others, which engenders leadership.

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, North America

Addis Ababa: Pan-African Symposium on Education, Resilience and Social Cohesion

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from UNICEF

Ensuring equitable access to education is key in addressing the root causes of conflict and instability in Africa, stakeholders said today [June 1] ahead of the Pan-African Symposium on Education, Resilience and Social Cohesion, at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa.

africa
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The three-day event shares evidence and best practices from UNICEF’s Peacebuilding, Education and Advocacy Programme (PBEA), and the Inter-Country Quality Node (ICQN) on Peace Education, established by the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). In doing so, the Symposium will seek to assess how inclusive, equitable and innovative education policy and programmes can contribute to sustainable peace and development across the continent. Currently, three out of 10 children in Africa are living in conflict-affected settings and exposed to numerous risks.

“The capacity of education to support children develop and thrive is well documented, however we now also know that education can prevent and reduce the impacts of conflict,” said UNICEF’s Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Leila Gharagozloo-Pakkala. “If the right policies and interventions are in place, together with financial investment, education can be a driving force in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”

In Sub-Saharan Africa, 36 out of 45 countries are at medium or high risk of experiencing man-made disasters, the highest rate globally. Moreover, at least 327 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa live in fragile contexts and the majority of the estimated 29 million primary school aged children who are out of school are primarily found in fragile settings and are particularly at risk or threatened by conflict.

“We need to reorient Africa’s education and training systems to meet the knowledge, competencies, skills, innovation and creativity required to nurture the continent’s core values,” said Dr Martial de Paul Ikounga, African Union Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology. “We will then promote sustainable development at the national, sub-regional and continental levels.”

The African Union Commission, under the Agenda 2063 “The Africa We Want”, envisions that by 2020 “all guns will be silent and a culture of peace and tolerance would be nurtured in Africa´s children and youth through peace.”

Oley Dibba-Wadda, the Executive Secretary of ADEA, sees education as “a key tool against all kinds of violence” and strongly appeals to African governments to “endorse and develop integrated, peaceful, inclusive approaches and strategies that support the implementation of a comprehensive program on non-violence, tolerance and peace, especially for the young generation.”

The high-level event in Addis Ababa, which is being attended by Ministers of Education from 16 African countries, including conflict-torn states, will close with concrete recommendations on how to strengthen education sector policy and programmes in Africa to address the risks faced by children and to support sustainable peace and development across Africa. The symposium will also provide evidence to inform both donor and public funding strategies and investment priorities.

“Education can play both a protective and preventative role. In doing this, education’s power is transformative and serves as a peace dividend, reducing inequities and grievances between groups and strengthening social cohesion” said the Ethiopian Minister of Education, Ato Shiferaw Shigute.

The symposium is co-organized by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education, UNICEF, the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), and the Inter-Country Quality Node (ICQN) on Peace Education.

Question for this article:
Africa, EDUCATION FOR PEACE

Banning Nukes: Divergence and Consensus at the UN Working Group on Nuclear Disarmament

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

Excerpts from an article by by Xanthe Hall for the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War

. . . So what did happen [at the May session of the Open-Ended Working Group – OWEG]? For the first time in many years a large number of states decided that they did not want consensus but confrontation on the issue of the illegitimacy of nuclear weapons. Tired with decades of patient discussions on micro-measures, principally for non-proliferation, and led by Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and Zambia, states are now going for broke [Editor’s note: All of these countries are participants in nuclear-weapon-free zones].

oewg
ICAN protest in front of Australian embassy during the OEWG. Photo: ICAN [International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons]
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Despite the prospect that the nuclear-armed states are unlikely to attend, they have submitted a proposal to the OEWG to “convene a Conference in 2017, open to all States, international organizations and civil society, to negotiate a legally-binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons” (ban treaty) and “to report to the United Nations high-level international conference on nuclear disarmament to be convened no later than 2018 … on the progress made on the negotiation of such an instrument.”

On the final day of the OEWG resounding majority support for prohibition and the commencement of negotiations was repeatedly expressed. States are convinced that with this approach they can bring pressure to bear on the nuclear-armed and nuclear-dependent states to begin genuinely considering negotiating the elimination of their nuclear arsenals. . . .

The beauty of a stand-alone ban treaty is in its clarity, especially in terms of the moral imperative. It would leave no room for doubt as to the illegitimacy of nuclear weapons and would place any state that relies on nuclear weapons for their defence outside international law, if enough states were to support such a norm. Its entry into force could not be held hostage by nuclear-armed states reticence to ratify, as the CTBT has been. Given the present anger about the arrogance of the nuclear-armed states refusal to engage with the nuclear-free states which has been made explicit both through the boycott of the OEWG, but also through the ever hardening rhetoric of the nuclear umbrella states, it remains the most attractive option for states to pursue at the UN General Assembly in October. In this way, they can continue to put maximum pressure on the nuclear-armed states to take them seriously as the majority and therefore to respect their rights and security needs.

This debate has as much to do with redefining world order and democracy as it has to do with disarmament. As Mexico pointed out: there is nothing to be said against consensus when it is fair and reflects the truth. But when divergence exists and states with more power due to nuclear weapons wield a veto over the majority then there is nuclear oppression. Now the majority is rising up to liberate itself from this yoke with persuasive and well-thought out arguments for a comprehensive ban treaty. After more than twenty years of attending these often repetitive and boring diplomatic debates, I can hardly wait for the next one.

Question related to this article:
DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, global, United Nations,

Angola protects wildlife, turns to ecotourism to diversify economy

. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT .

An article from the website of World Environment Day – United Nations Environment Programme

As the plane banks in off the Atlantic Ocean over Luanda, the capital of Angola, the chief driver of the southern African nation’s economy announces itself loud and clear. Dozens of hulking tankers and cargo ships sit low in the water off the bay, colourful containers are stacked up like Lego bricks along the long port, and workers bustle around the base of a loading crane that dominates the skyline. But all this activity belies the economic problems Angola has faced as the result of falling oil prices. . . .

With no sway over the global geopolitical and socioeconomic trends that have hit oil prices, Angola is looking to new industries such as ecotourism to drive growth and also help the global fight against climate change by gradually moving away from the domination of oil.

angola
On the Cuito River
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“We need to look at ways to diversify our economy and participate in the progress of our future generations,” said Environment Minister Maria de Fátima Jardim. “This is why our President has committed to protecting our elephants.”

The minister was speaking at the start of celebrations of World Environment Day, which Angola is hosting this year on 5 June as a sign of its commitment to combatting the illegal trade in wildlife.

Angola lost many of its elephants during a long civil war, which ran on-and-off from 1975 to 2002. It is unclear how many elephants remain, but those that do are facing pressure from poachers – both those seeking to profit from ivory and poor communities who rely on bushmeat to survive.

The nation is also a transit country for ivory, with carved goods coming over the border from the Democratic Republic of Congo for re-sale, largely to Asian nations.

The troubles facing Angola are part of a wider global problem. A new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-INTERPOL report, released on 4 June, found that transnational criminal networks are profiting to the tune of up to $258 billion per year from environmental crimes, including the illegal trade in wildlife. This is a 26 per cent increase on previous estimates.

In response to its problem, Angola is introducing tougher penalties for poaching, shutting down its domestic illegal markets, and looking to provide alternative livelihoods for those at the bottom of the illegal wildlife trade chain. They are also training former combatants to become wildlife rangers.

“We have a big push to manage protected areas and create others for the benefit of our people,” said Abias Huongo, Director of Angola’s National Institute of Biodiversity. “For us to survive, other species need to survive. Together with the tourism ministry, we are exploring the potential of ecotourism to address the economic deficit with biodiversity.”

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Question related to this article:

How can tourism promote a culture of peace?

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It is also in Cuando-Cubango, a key region for biodiversity, where new lodges are opening. The Rio Cuebe lodge is one such place. A collection of cute and comfortable huts ranged along the leafy banks of a lazy river near Menongue, the lodge has been open for three years.

Regional ministers and biodiversity experts packed the lodge for a conference as part of World Environment Day celebrations, but most of the time it sits half empty. When guests come, they are usually expats working in the country.

However, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner believes this situation is about to begin changing.

“Angola has, over many years, relied on its fossil-fuel economy, whereas the last year has shown that kind of dependence can be a risk,” he said. “So, as Angola is managing the fall-out from the drop in oil prices it is looking at diversifying; this is where the notion of the green economy becomes relevant.

“Cuando-Cubango is a region that could provide an enormous opportunity for investment in terms of tourism: a unique area where in 20 years’ time the world will be paying thousands of dollars for an overnight stay.”

Steve Boyes, a National Geographic Society explorer, also believes a new path for Angola is opening up. Boyes and his team travelled to the source of the Cuito River – one of the two main rivers that flow into the Okavango River and feed the Okavango Delta, a 10,000-square-mile wetland that sits across the borders of Botswana, Namibia, and Angola.

As they travelled almost 1,600 miles in dug-out canoes over three months, Boyes and his colleagues saw first-hand the natural beauty Angola has to offer. The explorers have discovered three new species of plant, six new species of fish and four new species of reptile – all unique to Angola. Boyes and his partner John Hilton are working with the government to scope out ecotourism opportunities.

“We are talking about the largest undeveloped river basin on the planet,” he said. “It’s an incredible opportunity for conservation, for tourism development. To me, it’s the biggest tourism and rural development opportunity in Africa in the last few decades.

However, Boyes believes urgent action is needed to ensure wildlife is conserved. He is particularly concerned about bushmeat, having witnessed villagers move from subsistence to selling the meat in markets for profit – with the killing of animals now taking place at a larger scale.

“The scenic beauty and wildlife are all here. If we do it (conservation efforts) in five years’ time it would take thirty years to fix. If we do it now, it will take ten years to fix,” he said. “If we get 100 adventure travelers in on mountain bikes, they (villagers) will earn far more money than they get off bushmeat. There is a strong desire for a new beginning.”

Africa, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The Elders welcome Paris conference as step towards two-state solution for Israel-Palestine

DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY .

An article by The Elders

The Elders welcome the international conference being convened in Paris on 3 June by the French Government, aimed at reviving efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

conference
French President Hollande speaks to the Paris conference. Photo from AFP/Stephane de Sakutin, Pool.
Click on photo to enlarge

The last 18 months have seen worsening violence, a hardening of political rhetoric and a diplomatic impasse. The international community must push decisively to shift the dynamics on the ground and secure lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike. A two-state solution that respects international law, addresses legitimate security concerns and upholds human rights remains the only way forward.

Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders, said:

“This conference is an opportunity to revitalise international engagement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After so many decades of conflict, people deserve to live in peace and dignity. This requires an end to occupation, and self-determination for the Palestinian people. The Elders call on all those involved to work constructively and in good faith towards this goal.”

The Elders note the conflicts raging in much of the wider Middle East and argue this makes it even more important that diplomatic efforts for a two-state solution are intensified.

Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States and Honorary Elder, said:

“The world cannot afford to forget about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinians continue to be denied justice and human rights, and their leaders remain divided and disengaged from the search for lasting peace. This stokes resentment and support for extremism across the region. Equally, Israelis are ill-served by a government that promotes illegal settlements and flouts international law.”

(See right column for Final Communique)

Question related to this article:

Presenting the Palestinian side of the Middle East, Is it important for a culture of peace?

How can a culture of peace be established in the Middle East?

(continued from left column)

[Editor’s note: The final communique from the summit includes an urgent call for a two-state solution, as demanded by the Elders and by the the Arab Peace Initiative.]:

“The Participants met in Paris on June 3, 2016 to reaffirm their support for a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“They reaffirmed that a negotiated two-state solution is the only way to achieve an enduring peace, with two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. They are alarmed that actions on the ground, in particular continued acts of violence and ongoing settlement activity, are dangerously imperiling the prospects for a two-state solution.

“The Participants underscored that the status quo is not sustainable, and stressed the importance of both sides demonstrating, with policies and actions, a genuine commitment to the two-state solution in order to rebuild trust and create the conditions for fully ending the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and resolving all permanent status issues through direct negotiations based on resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), and also recalling relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and highlighting the importance of the implementation of the Arab Peace Initiative.

“The Participants discussed possible ways in which the international community could help advance the prospects for peace, including by providing meaningful incentives to the parties to make peace. The Participants also highlighted the potential for regional peace and security as envisioned by the Arab Peace Initiative.

“The Participants highlighted the key role of the Quartet and key regional stakeholders. They welcomed the interested countries’ offer to contribute to this effort. They also welcomed France’s offer to coordinate it, and the prospect of convening before the end of the year an international conference.”

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, Mideast