Talking peace
As part of its regular 'Coffee Club' morning programme of debates, on Nov 10th, the Brighthelm Centre invited the Brighton Peace and Environment Centre to address a group on the issue 'Peace on earth'.
About 15 members of the Brighthelm Centre participated in the discussion, which was led by the BPEC Human Rights WorkGroup’ Coordinator and a volunteer from the group, Francesc, who has some first hand knowledge in this area.
Francesc shared his experience in peacekeeping and peace-building within the United Nations and highlighted the importance for civil society organizations and citizens' groups to be actively involved in promoting peace and understanding at grass roots level. He briefly explained what a peacekeeper does during a mission and what the relationship is between NGOs (some of them with headquarters in the UK) and the UN agencies in the field.
He also explained some of the political constraints that the UN suffers as an organization attempting to face, speedily and efficiently, conflict or other crises around the world. He noted that even though the UN may have the will, as an intergovernmental organization it totally depends on the mandate given by member states (more specifically by the Security Council), as well as the limited resources provided to them to undertake tasks which are daunting and complex.
As an example, Francesc noted that when he was in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country nearly half the size of Europe, the Security Council had authorised just 5,000 Blue Helmets to keep the fragile ceasefire, demobilize the different warring factions (including soldiers from Rwanda and other neighbouring states), promote economic and development programmes and prepare for the elections.
After a sharing of knowledge and discussion about current UN efforts to bring about peace and stability in war-ravaged and conflict-torn areas of the world, the group exchanged information and ideas on how the UN and other organizations could better use its resources and mobilise public opinion to support its work. Although the group expressed some understandable criticism at the way certain politicians and bureaucrats, both at national and international level, handle some of the most pressing crises (e.g. Iraq) the group agreed on the value of the UN's efforts – in tandem with other international organizations, such as NGOs, in promoting peace, development and democracy around the world.
BPEC would like to those at the Brighthelm Centre for inviting BPEC to the event, for their hospitality and warmth and for the wonderful opportunity to share ideas and concerns.
If you would be interested in getting involved in community discussions at Brighthelm Centre or at BPEC Open Day events, please contact us here at BPEC.