A different approach to Human Security

After two World Wars, the Cold War and numerous wars induced by the colonial legacy, we were told to focus on a ‘war on terrorism’.

Actually a more radical diagnosis is needed. The issue is not a clash of civilizations but a lack of security for all people.

The causes operate on two levels. On one hand, social breakdown, war, the humiliation of whole peoples, the unequal distribution of wealth. And on the other, this solid, tenacious block inside each of us made of bitterness and conflict, which kills hope and faith, and holds us back from renewal.

A different approach is to change ourselves, to know ourselves better.

The Initiatives of Change centre at Caux, Switzerland, has 60 years experience in creating the conditions for peace. The art of listening, of honest dialogue, is key to creating the conditions for peace.

Humanity cannot avoid this kind of change that starts with each one of us. Solving the conflicts of tomorrow demands a diplomacy that integrates the art of really listening to people and taking into account their hurts. Without this, there is no defusing the time-bomb of humiliation.

To find a preventive strategy that could tackle the root causes of insecurity and save millions of lives will require unprecedented trust and collaboration among all nations and actors. The Caux Forum for Human Security seeks this trust and collaboration.

Mohamed Sahnoun

Founder and Chair, Caux Forum for Human Security
Former President, Initiatives of Change International
Formerly a Special Advisor to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Five Strategic Aims for the 2009 Caux Forum for Human Security

Human Security concerns every one of us on earth – not just those in war zones, the poor and the threatened. We all feel insecure as human beings, and naturally so. We experience all kinds of traumas as we grow, but there are also the inherited traumas, genetic, biological and psychological. We learn to deal with these traumas through education, and learning. But then situations and stresses occur which reawaken these insecurities – economic, sociological and environmental threats, dangers confronting ourselves or our families and those close to us, to our communities, to our whole societies. Human security is about finding that capacity to deal with these stresses. It means equipping ourselves and others with the abilities and tools that enable individuals and communities to survive dangerous threats. This summer in Caux we have investigated causes, the reasons that make people feel insecure. In 2009, we need to work more on remedies and responses.

What should we be aiming at in terms of response? I see five strategic aims:

1. We must tackle the question of governance. In history, we have seen improvements in governance, towards more democracy. But today, perhaps two thirds of humanity lives beyond the rule of law. That creates tremendous stress. So how can we improve that? A better government of ourselves, of countries, and of the international system. Civil society and religious leaders, many are calling for this, but we’re still too far behind. We must build up states’ capacity to deal with the problems of their citizens through the rule of law and by drastically reducing corruption. People will only feel secure if their environment is managed by people who are honest.
2. A Global Marshall Plan to target the countries that have improved their governance so that they can catch up after centuries of under-development. Too many think only in terms of military security, when a major threat is the lack of any economic hope in many countries. We need to raise all humanity to survival level. The failure of the Doha Round of talks at the World Trade Organization is a sad step backwards. The vision of a new Marshall Plan could appeal to the generosity of the developed countries.
3. The dialogue between cultures. There are serious issues here, which are exploited by some – this is so short-sighted. There must be progress in the dialogue between cultures and religions. It’s an urgent priority today. We must make a tremendous effort to help people to accept diversity and difference, and to live in harmony. We need to work enough on the first two aims – then this other dialogue becomes easier, people are readier to accept the other. Local conflicts are often given a global colouring, thanks to global communications. This feeds and complicates local conflicts.
4. Dealing with wounded memories – this is absolutely essential. Often in normal education and the teaching of history these wounds are not forgotten or healed, but passed on from generation to generation. Dialogue, research and an engaged discussion are needed to understand better the injustices of history. We need to search our memories – this could help a lot.
5. The responsibility to protect, prevention. How can we be alert enough to prevent conflicts, to see the first warning signals of tensions and work for prevention? As with medicine, vaccinations and x-rays for early diagnosis, to see the warning signals of danger. The degradation of the environment is very important here: islands are vanishing, populations are being forced to move. We need a prevention process.

Why Caux? Can Caux make a difference? It is not a meeting place for arguing with each other or for negotiations. We try to come with an open mind, to listen, and to search together for solutions. In most meetings, there are so many conflicts of interests at work. But it is important to be able to bring in people from this world of negotiations. We need to learn to see the long term. We are all in the same boat, though some are travelling First Class, and others in steerage. If the boat sinks, we all sink. The environmental issues help us to understand this.

Mohamed Sahnoun

Founder and Chair, Caux Forum for Human Security
Former President, Initiatives of Change International
Formerly a Special Advisor to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan