WFWPI Office For UN Relations Newsletter - Autumn 2021

IN THIS ISSUE The Future of Afghanistan - Protecting Girls’ Feature Article Education and Women’s Empowerment

The Future of Afghanistan By Carolyn Handschin & Marilyn Angelluchi “Much lies in the balance. The progress. The hope. The dreams of a Human Rights and Justice generation of young Afghan women and girls, boys and men,” was the call for solidarity by the UN SG Antonio Guterres in his address to the Security 76th Session of the UNGA Council on September 16. Safeguarding the very hard-won rights of women Youth Human Rights Forum and girls, he implored, will be as “we stand as one.”

UN Human Rights Council The Afghans are a strong people with a rich cultural heritage who have Peace Leadership lived many hardships, and prevailed. As reported by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the threat of violence has only exacerbated the A Mother’s Love to Embrace half million already internally displaced due to drought, food scarcity, the World homelessness, COVID and an overwhelmed health system.

Coalition of FBO’s in Vienna Educating girls to ensure lasting peace Most worried or even fearful, are the girls and women. Will they be able to SDG and Global Cooperation continue their education which is a right they only recently won, or will Global Week to #Act4SDGs that right be taken away from them again? In 1995 WFWP Afghanistan wanted to send volunteers to create educational and development programs Transition in Mali together with local women in Kabul. Because of the danger and lack of Young Voices freedom for women under the Taliban, it was not possible. They decided instead to establish a school for Afghan refugees in New Delhi, India, the Prospects for Peace Syed Jamaluddin Afghan School (SJAS).

THE JOURNAL PAGE 1 WOMEN’S FEDERATION FOR WORLD PEACE INTERNATIONAL

WFWPI UN OFFICES JULY 2021 | VOLUME 1

UN NEWSLETTER TEAM

Publisher Julia H. Moon

Editor in Chief Carolyn Handschin Vision

PHOTO BY MARTIN R. SMITH Editorial Directors Women working together to realize Srruthi Lekha Raaja Elango one global family rooted in a culture of Mako Mori sustainable peace. Grace Kellett

Mission This newsletter is published by Women’s Federation for World Peace Empowering women as peacebuilders International and leaders in the family to transform Office of UN Relations the community, nation and world. 4 West 43rd Street Through education, advocacy, New York, partnership, reconciliation and NY 10036, USA humanitarian service, WFWPI aims to create an environment of peace and NEW YORK: unoffice@wfwp.org well-being for future generations and GENEVA: c.handschin@wfwp.org people of all races, cultures and VIENNA: m.riehl@wfwp.org religious creeds. WWW.WFWP.ORG

THE FUTURE OF AFGHANISTAN - PROTECTING GIRLS’ EDUCATION AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

The school allows both boys and girls to study together and the curriculum with its western influence would not be allowed by the Taliban. The funding from the former government of Afghanistan has now been discontinued. New sources of funding are currently being sought so that these young innocent refugees will not again have their development and dreams interrupted. (website)

The reality now is that the Afghan people are desperate to find stability and security as peace processes are being worked out. Quality education for girls and for boys is a key for the future of the nation. As important is PHOTO BY MARTIN R. SMITH a vibrant and balanced social fabric that allows the benefits of that education to be applied in community building and governance. The experience of WFWP in Afghanistan over decades organizing extensive but interrupted humanitarian programs found that the support most requested were scholarships and educational opportunities for girls. It is not only the

Afghan women, but the whole community who clearly realize the importance of the education of women in ensuring lasting peace.

Youth engagement from abroad The chaos in Afghanistan began in the middle of a Human Rights Advocacy Internship Program of WFWPI UN Office in Geneva. Impassioned with concern, it was unanimously decided to temporarily shift focus to prepare a statement for the Special Session on Afghanistan of the 48th Human Rights Council. The seriousness was compelling as the interns realized they may have a chance to actually affect a current crisis. Interactive meetings were held with an Afghan school director and former government minister and a set of 8 recommendations were drawn up and submitted to the Council.

“For women to be part of an inclusive and representative government, their rights and dignity must be upheld today.” The focus of youth was highlighted as well. “If young girls and boys are not protected, there will be no one to inherit and build a thriving and innovative Afghanistan tomorrow. Young people hold within the vitality and hope of a better future as well as a memory of today’s reality, and the decisions we make.”

HUMAN RIGHTS AND JUSTICE

76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly By Amanda Bradley

UN Photo/Cia Pak John Angelillo/Pool Photo

The 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly As part of the UNGA76 General Debate speech, BTS opened on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, where more than applauded young people for their resiliency during the 100 heads of states gathered for the first time during the pandemic. Kim Nam-Joon, BTS leader, mentioned how COVID-19 pandemic. This opening of the 76th session of the people in their teens and 20s are being referred to as UN General Assembly was a particularly significant one, as “COVID’s lost generation,” but BTS members Jimin and Jin the world faces an overabundance of unprecedented issues. suggested that it should be renamed as the “welcome During his address to the General Assembly, UN Secretary- generation.” The reason being that “instead of fearing General Antonio Guterres painted a vivid picture of the change, this generation welcomes it.” current state of affairs: “We face the greatest cascade of BTS’s hopeful presence and youthful energy was inevitably crises in our lifetime.” The COVID-19 crisis has supersized the highlight of UNGA76, as they served to be a bridge glaring inequalities that have already been strikingly present between the elder generation and the younger generation, within communities across the globe, the climate crisis is which is often a challenge faced by the UN. plummeting the planet, and regions that have known relative The importance of bridging divides, promoting peace and peace are now finding themselves in conflict. Extreme surges ending conflicts, promoting gender equality, and tackling the of mistrust and misinformation have completely polarized generational divide by giving young people a “seat at the and paralyzed entire societies and human rights are table” were key themes of UNGA 76, with world leaders of repeatedly threatened. all regions coming together to realize the undeniable fact that Guterres addressed how paramount it is for the UN to a sense of global cooperation is paramount in tackling any continue to build itself on its common agendas of the UN crisis. Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the The Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. “To seek a ultimately aims to uplift and empower women as pathway to a better world,” Guterres states, “we must first peacebuilders and leaders in the home, in their communities, breach great divides.” Guterres continued by highlighting nations and the world. Through first embracing our identities how, “failure to deliver creates space for some of the darkest as daughters, sisters, wives and especially mothers, we begin impulses of humanity.” to see the world and it’s challenges through these eyes and The UNGA’s High-Level Week began on September 20 with cannot stand idle when there is a member of the family who the SDG Moment, an annual event held to spotlight the is suffering. Such women, who prioritizes the needs of her Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moon Jae-in, community before herself, become the natural catalyst for president of the Republic of Korea, was this year’s special much needed healing, unity and harmony and are the bedrock guest, and he anointed and introduced BTS, the sensational that transforms people, communities and negotiation tables, K-Pop group, as the country’s special presidential envoys for ultimately creating a future of well-being and peace for future generations and culture. entire generations to come. PAGE 4

HUMAN RIGHTS AND JUSTICE

WFWPI Youth Human Rights Forum 2021 By Srruthi Lekha Raaja Elango

WFWPI Office for UN Relations in Geneva hosted a virtual Finally, we had our final speaker, Ms. Katrine Sietena, who Youth Human Rights Forum on September 24, 2021.This presented on the importance of the Convention on the forum was part of the two-month summer human rights Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women internship organized by the WFWPI Geneva Office. This (CEDAW) ratification globally. She reflected on how internship program began on August 2, 2021, hosting three important it is to ratify this treaty, the benefits of CEDAW international interns who began their journey with WFWPI and why few countries such as the United States, have not researching and advocating various human rights issues. ratified it so far. Her in-depth research and excellent The interns were asked to write individual advocacy papers presentation skills were applauded by many and the experts on their choice of interest within the umbrella of human who positively added to the discussion. Dr. Shirley Yeung, rights and women’s rights. At the end of the internship, the Associate President of UNESCO Hong Kong, added more Youth Human Rights Forum was hosted, showcasing and suggestions and recommendations on how UN Sustainable presenting their research to global civil society activists. Development Goals (SDGs) can be incorporated into these tasks. The event lasted for 90 minutes, hosting our three interns as speakers, along with experts joining the discussion as This discussion was then followed by a Q&A session, which commentators. Our first speaker was Ilana Axelrod, who received a lot of positive and constructive questions on how presented on the Women Peace and Security Agenda in to further the research on the issues the young speakers Latin America. Her detailed reflection of the women spoke about. Their work showcased the importance of youth situation rooms and recommendations to better advocacy empowerment, professional advocacy, global cooperation was well welcomed by everyone. Mrs. Svejtlana Jovic, and much more, inspiring many to actively engage in such Team Leader at UNIFIL, appreciated her work and added crucial issues. more recommendations such as the importance of civil society participation in the process. Next, we had Ms. Mary WFWPI Office of UN Relations in Geneva thanked Manukura, who presented her work on gender-based everyone’s participation in the event and assured that this is violence in Africa. just the beginning. There will be many more internship programs to come, especially the Human Rights Internship, Her reflections on how important it is for men to contribute which will be aligned with the Human Rights Council to the fight against gender-based violence received so much timeline. support from the audience. Mrs. Carolyn Handschin, Director of WFWPI Offices for UN Relations, added more light on this from her experience in several projects globally. PAGE 5

HUMAN RIGHTS AND JUSTICE

Opinion Piece on the United Nations Human Rights Council By Katriene Sietina Intern - Human Rights Internship Program, Geneva

UNHRC Statement – 15th Meeting, 48th Regular Session After listening to the majority of the recorded statements, Human Rights Council the only conclusion I could draw was that the Human Rights Council is quite overwhelmed with the number of On September 13, 2021, the UN Human Rights Council responses they receive; not only from UN Member States, (UNHCR) opened its 48th Regular Session. Having but also from NGOs wishing to share their perspectives or attended the 48th Regular Session of the UNHRC, with a requests with the Council. In my opinion, the UNHRC general debate on agenda item 3 - Promotion and should be a department that not only considers the brief protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, perspectives of UN Member States and NGOs, but also social and cultural rights, including the right to actively participates in discussions with one another in development – the following is my personal perspective of order to address the world’s recurring challenges. Open this meeting and might also include some discussions, in my opinion, should be the most important recommendations on how these sessions could be held in a and fundamental component of the Regular Sessions as more effective manner. they allow participants to actively work on a solution together rather than simply listening to the comments I listened to a number of the recorded statements made by UN Member States and NGOs. submitted by the UN Member States addressing agenda item 3 and I found that all of the statements made were interesting because they focused on current challenges. Such Regular Sessions of the HRC allow all UN Member States to express their concerns and feasible solutions to the issues at hand. For the purposes of this short article statement, I will focus on the Republic of Korea in particular, and will base my conclusions off of the meeting in general.

The Republic of Korea, mentioned in their address that the persistent issue of human rights violations is frequently the root cause of conflict and violence, and must be addressed in order to maintain long-term peace, sustainable development, and inclusion, which can only be done through a human rights-based strategy. The Republic of Korea then highlighted hos the United Nations’ three pillars complement one another, resulting in greater UN system-wide cohesion and collaboration. In this regard, positive interaction with the Peacebuilding Commission can greatly improve the Human Rights Council’s capacity to carry out its duty of furthering human rights across the world. I found this quite powerful as it addressed the significance of the modern issues at hand and also voiced an urgency to act. This same sense of significance and urgency, resounded in the statements of all the UN Member States who wished to offer their opinions. As a consequence, we quickly continued the session with a different UN Member State addressing the excellencies.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND JUSTICE

Opinion Piece on the United Nations Human Rights Council By Mary Manukure Intern - Human Rights Internship Program, Geneva

The situation in Tigray, a region in Ethiopia While the concerned States were able to share their illustratively, has caused an outcry from both the statements, some of them were in a hurry to get their citizens of Ethiopia in the country and around the message across because of the time-limit. One would world. Various Heads of States and the Human Rights argue that, though they are able to be concise and short, Council have also demonstrated their deepest concerns. the time-limit statement slot for concerned States or Agenda Item 2 on the situation in Tigray comprised parties should be extended or supported with visuals for master tension and immense systematic killing and disabled audiences. Furthermore, since the joint sexual violence that continuously created atmospheres investigation report was not ready during the meeting, of fear and erosion of living conditions that resulted in detailed and evidentiary issues were not well covered the forced displacement of the Tigrayan civilian during the session, hence, it would be advisable to make population. Civilian suffering was widespread and sure that these paramount documents for discussions are impunity has been pervasive. ready before every session for transparency and Regardless of the changing dynamics in the conflict, effective accountability through the lenses of the there were constant multiple and severe reports of present State. With this in place, States shall be able to alleged gross violations of human rights, humanitarian ask the relevant questions and offer significant and refugee law by all parties. Which includes acts of contributions and oral retribution to the State or torture, inhuman treatment, mass killings, and others by Government at fault. national forces. Additionally, though there is an implemented and ongoing joint investigation between the OHCHR, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council with the cooperation of the Ethiopian Government, there are still issues of effective accountability, as the Ethiopian Government has spoken against witness evidence from refugees in Sudan. Though its statement portrays the willingness to accept the outcome of the assessment of the evidence gathered through the joint investigation, there is the question of if the government shall also willingly brief the council on the findings of the report when released without any hesitations. PAGE 7

PEACE LEADERSHIP

A Mother’s Love to Embrace the World By Grace Kellett

In September, the UN Security Council, the main organ of late husband, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, have also been the UN that addresses issues of peace and security, met to clear on the role women play in creating a peaceful world. discuss issues such as the volatile and increasingly dire However, there is something unique to the way in which this humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, a resurgence in is seen by Dr. and Rev. Moon, that often does not get nuclear missile tests coming from both North and South emphasized or even acknowledged in the halls of the UN: Korea, the conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Sudan and South that it is women who have embraced their unique value and Sudan, among other conflicts and tensions and the roles often tied to family, as daughters, wives and mothers, implication of climate change on international security. that the world needs so acutely.

One “golden thread” that ran through Ireland’s presidency Since its founding, WFWPI has carried the mission of and will continue through the presidencies of Kenya and liberating women by helping women to realize their value, Mexico (October and November 2021, respectively), is an not just in relation to their position in the world, but in emphasis on embracing principles reflected in the UNSC being able to recognize how deeply empowering, significant Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and important their roles as daughters, wives and especially which so far has been acted upon by inviting more female mothers are to the world. than male leaders, advisors and stakeholders to consult with or address the Security Council. Mothers are often the heartistic pillars and of their families and the most influential person in their children’s lives when It is a central tenet of the WPS agenda, which has been they are young. Who is it a child often runs to confess, or institutionalized by the UN since 2000 through the UNSCR when they are hurt? Who can create peace when two siblings 1325, that a critical reason why peace continues to remain are angry at one another? Who can help them to remember in elusive is that women, a vital voice and instrument of the heat of the moment that love for one another and creating peaceful societies, are not equally represented at all harmony is more important than rules, or fairness, or levels of the peacemaking process. revenge or what they want at the moment? A mother. Who does a child go to to be accepted and loved? A mother! The significance of women in peace and security is well documented, one has only to research the topic of women, Therefore, we must strive to further elevate the potential of peace and security to find the data on how involving women women not only through external means but recognize their in all levels of peacemaking only add to the stability of the invaluable roles as peacemakers in the family and society. peace achieved, and in a way that may better provide for the Peace starts at home and expands outward. The home is feeling of security on the ground, such as thorough where we practice how to love one another and ourselves, mechanisms that protect community-level violence or and embracing this enables women, as well as men, to relate intolerance. with the rest of the world as an extension of their global family. The co-founders of WFWPI, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and her

PEACE LEADERSHIP

Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations in Vienna, Austria By Lilly Gundacker

An Extraordinary General Assembly of the Coalition of Faith- Dr. Michael Platzer suggested we should use the UN Days to Based Organizations (CFBO) in Austria was held in Vienna on study together with the UN. CFBOs had 25 webinars in the 28th September 2021. First established two years ago, with the last year. Mr. Thomas Stelzer, from International support of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre Anticorruption Academy (IACA) said they are ethics based for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), the and overlap with CFBOs. Corruption is a structural executive was extended to include various faith-based impediment to the Sustainable Development Goals and a communities (www.coalitionfbo.eu). The focus is to become cross-cutting issue of the SDGs. Remittances of foreign active in Austria in cooperation with the UN in Vienna, with the workers sending money home is much more than official UNODC (www.unodc.org), especially in areas of law, justice, development assistance. and prevention. Dr. Afsar Rathor, LIOS-SOIL Organization, Vienna, Dr. Elmar Kuhn, Member of the steering committee of CFBOs referred to the significance of ecology and sustainability as (https://coalitionfbo.org/) gave an introductory address and a religious responsibility. He said: “The archbishop, and the report quoting H.E. Madeleine Albright and H.E. Ban Ki Moon, Imman already said: the two conflict parties have not stating: “Vienna is a capital city where world religions come understood each other’s faith, trying to prove which faith is together.” The Deputy Director of the Cultural Office of the better. The media also plays a role. Religions have the same Government of Austria, Dr. Stephan Leitner, said that while values: love. Without tolerance, no religious freedom, no Austria is a secular state, as Hans Kueng once said, there is no freedom of thought, no freedom of conscience.” peace without religious peace and thus the government is Dr. Titus Leber, filmmaker and multimedia artist, ​c aptures grateful for the participation of various faiths. images and film of world heritage spiritual sites and Dr. Michael Platzer, co-chair ofCFBOs, read a congratulatory publishes them digitally. He has focused mainly on Buddhist address by Dr. Thomas Walsh, co-chair of CFBO and chair UPF sites, includingSuch projects have included a Buddhist USA. Mr. Gerhard Weissgrab, President of the Buddists in temple and temples in Indonesia and in the Kingdom of Austria stressed the way of the middle and the need for a Thailand. However, hisHis new initiative is to promote constant search. Džemal Šibljaković, Director of Islamic Prison Africa’s unknown cultural heritage. We should not forget Counselling, referred to migration, faith and social media. South American religions, he said. He suggested a new Bishop Dr. Heinz Lederleitner, Archbishop of the Old Catholic subject of psycho ecology through media and video games. Church stressed the need for values based education. Spiritual pollution is just as much a problem as the physical Dr. Mutasahra from the Koran School stated we need to fight environmental pollution. corruption in all religions. A representative of the Syrian A Ms. Andrea Jakob and Ms. Ilse Ensfelner, management Orthodox Church, the first Oriental church in Europe, also consultant, were also voted unanimously into the executive. spoke to the importance of grassroots religions. Mr. Peter Haider referred to the World Interfaith Harmony The UN representative from the Civil Society Unit, Mr. Anders Week focusing on love of neighbours and embracing Ansen, said they were delighted to see that the CFBO work is monotheistic religions and others. With the support of expanding. It is appreciated by UNODC. The upcoming KAICIID, UPF together with partner organizations as conference of State Parties in Egypt, 13 Dec 2021, with over ACUNS, IFEMES, WFWP and others, the Interfaith 194 non-government members who are not ECOSOC have Harmony Week was held at the UN each year, the first week registered. ECOSOC members can register until 26 November. of February, providing a platform for all religious groups, in UNODC Civil Society office welcomes Stakeholder 2019 with CFBOs with 150-200 participants. engagement, particularly faith-based organizations, and believes in this bottom up approach. PAGE 9

SDG & GLOBAL COOPERATION

Global Week to #Act4SDGs By Mako Mori

The Global Week to #Act4SDGs organized by the UN SDG buying new is a sustainable practice that can shift our Action Campaign took place from September 17 to 28, mindset to produce less waste. 2021. This year’s creative campaign focused on individual actions and driving home the message that we can all be Day 3 was “REIMAGINE.” Oprah Winfrey once said: “If you part of the solution, inviting everyone to play their part in look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If turning it around for the Sustainable Development Goals you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have (SDGs). Held during the high-level week of the United enough.” GFG teamed up with Yun-A Johnson, an innovative Nations General Assembly, the campaign has an ambitious stylist who empowers women to beautify their homes and target to register one billion actions by 2030. closets by creatively using what they already have. By using Yun-A’s quick guide to “Find Your Aesthetic Style,” anyone Giving for Good (GFG) took part in the campaign, initiating can create three new outfits in their closets without spending five actions that new and younger audiences (many of whom a penny! are increasingly conscious of how they live and consume) can take in order to help drive the SDGs. GFG specifically The theme for Day 4 was “RECYCLE.” Recycling can simply focused on SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and mean to “use again,” which means any time you make a Production, for the main goal of contributing to climate choice to give your clothes a second chance to be worn action. The key focus of GFG’s campaign was to educate (rather than letting them end up in the landfill) you are the public on how one can reduce, reuse, reimagine and contributing to reducing your carbon footprint. GFG recycle the clothes in their closets to lower the impact of developed a guide with different options on how participants their carbon footprint. Raising awareness on consumer can responsibly recycle their clothes to keep them away from behaviors has the potential to dramatically shift production the landfill. in the textile industry (the second largest polluter). The final theme was to “WATCH & LEARN.” GFG Over the course of five days, GFG introduced five themes, challenged individuals to host a watch party with a curated accompanied by an action that individuals were encouraged list of environmental documentaries. The recommended to take. Day 1 was “REDUCE” and GFG encouraged documentaries capture the captivating beauty of Mother participants to reduce the number of clothes one has in their Earth, as well as guide the audience to reflect deeply on their closet, using Marie Kondo’s “KonMari Method.” This own consumer behavior that can be not only destructive to simple method of tidying can have serious psychological ourselves, but the planet as well. benefits because our space often reflects the clutter in our minds. A brief 30-second tutorial was created to show the By promoting these five actions, GFG hopes to spark process of this method. sustainable behavior changes in people that are rooted in their genuine care for the planet and its people. The On the second day “REUSE,” GFG shared three creative transformation in behavior that is ultimately going to save ideas on how old t-shirts, jeans and button-up shirts can be the Earth cannot be brought solely by the coercion of laws, transformed into handy produce bags, a tote bag and stylish but can only be brought by natural submission, from pillow covers. Finding new ways to make textiles last, realizing that our happiness is inextricably tied with all of rather than humanity and all of creation.

SDG & GLOBAL COOPERATION

A Delegation of Parliamentarians from the Transition Government in Mali Hosted by WFWP Austria & UPF Austria By Renate Amesbauer, Claudia Ditel, Lilly Gundacker

On September 8, Women’s Federation for World Peace culture of peace and friendship among different cultural (WFWP) Austria, together with Universal Peace and religious backgrounds. Dr. Riehl noted that one of the Federation (UPF) and the generous support of Family main focuses of WFWPI Vienna’s office is the prevention Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) of crime and drug trafficking through education and hosted a dinner for a delegation of Parliamentarians empowerment. from Mali, Africa. Hon. Assorid Ag Imbarcaquane, the first Vice President of The delegation consisted of five members of the the Transition Parliament, is a Parliamentarian with 30 Parliament of Transition and a lady secretary, who years of experience. He introduced the other members of attended the 5th World Conference on Speakers of the delegation, each of them members of the transition Parliament in the Vienna Austria Centre from September committee. Hon. Imbarcaquane shared about his 8 to 10. experiences with the co-founders of WFWPI, Dr. Hak Ja The dinner with Parliamentarians was coordinated Han Moon and her late husband Rev. Dr. Sun Myung through the cooperation of Mr. Mamadou Kone, Moon. Hon. Imbarcaquane became an Ambassador for Honorary Consul and Representative for the Chamber of Peace in 2010, helped establish IAPP in Mali and even Commerce of Mali to Austria and neighbouring accompanied his President to Korea in 2014 and 2016. He countries. expressed utmost appreciation of the high values Ms. Renate Amesbauer, President of WFWP Austria, emphasized by Rev. Moon, especially valuing the family. welcomed the guests and spoke about the history of Hon. Imbarcaquane shared how in their Parliament, all cooperation with Mr. Kone at side events and people from different religious backgrounds work together conferences at the United Nations (UN) in Vienna. The and “it is not the religion that someone belongs to that is common topic was the value of education and the important, but the character of the person.” importance of strengthening youth and women, to Mr. Hamidou Trarore, member of the Transformation develop a healthy society in each nation. Committee, has been highly involved in the field of social Mr. Peter Haider, President of UPF Austria and Director development since 1976. of International Association of Parliamentarians for Ms. Oumon Sanogo, Secretary of the Parliament, Peace in Europe and the Middle East (IAPP EUME), highlighted what Dr. Riehl mentioned prior, namely the introduced UPF and IAPP, which were founded in 2005 crucial role of women’s grassroots organizations. Ms. and 2016, respectively. Sanogo explained how Mali tries to uphold inclusivity and Dr. Maria Riehl, Director of WFWPI Office for UN women in Mali are involved in peace and reconciliation Relations in Vienna, emphasized the importance of practices. She also emphasized that women are incentivizing the grassroots movement of women in traditionally peacebuilders and because women are the spreading a main victims of conflict, they should be involved in the reconciliation process.

YOUNG VOICES

What Global Economic Initiatives Tell Us About the Prospects for Peace By Emily Ekshian

The Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council, collectively known as the P5, are the five members of the 15 member body, which are permanent and have veto power. The P5 comprises China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The council’s 15 members regularly meet to assess threats to international security including civil wars, natural disasters, nuclear arms proliferation, and terrorism. Although the P5 focuses efforts on international social, political and security-oriented matters, the countries also exercise mass economic initiatives to help improve their domestic and international flow of trade, economic collaboration and globalization.

In 2013, China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which is a network of roads, railways and maritime ports that are meant to connect and globalize the eastern hemisphere, spanning three continents, from Asia, Europe to Africa. Similar to the BRI, the Russian Strategy includes expanding pipelines extensions, bases, routes, energy and air defense. Moreover, the United States aims to engage in infrastructural investment in developing countries, most notably in Africa and Southeast Asia. With these investments follow labor outsourcing, where not only will the United States provide jobs in developing nations, but also expand their market internationally. The United Kingdom and France have similar economic development strategies, focusing their efforts on humanitarian assistance to war- stricken nations, such as Syria, Palestine and Armenia, to name a few. With foreign aid deliverance to these nations, the UK and France can then mandate control over specific sectors of the economy such as natural resources, as debt repayment. The P5 members alike, seek to influence the sectors they have a comparative advantage in while globalizing the region. The question that should be given consideration is whether these economic initiatives are aligned with the goals of international peace and security or do these initiatives have ulterior motives?

Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, and her late husband, Dr. Rev. Sun Myung Moon, co-founders of Women’s Federation for World Peace International, have also made efforts towards a more peaceful world by spearheading the Peace Road Initiative for an International Highway project. This highway project proposes a bridge and tunnel complex that would connect Russia and the United States via the Bering Strait, along with the building of a tunnel complex to connect Kyushu Island in Japan with Busan, Korea. The International Peace Highway has been publicly advocated for since 1981 and will inevitably create transnational lines of commerce and will stimulate the inter-ethnic exchange of culture and goods. But Dr. Moon and her husband’s true desire is not on physically connecting the world, but on creating means for peace and reconciliation among countries and their people. In this way, the International Peace Highway is an initiative that transcends race, politics, religion, social and economic divides, to focus on connecting the world together, in heart.

Although it is true that the process of constructing these trillion-dollar investment projects across nations requires state-to-state collaboration and necessitates an aspect of inherent peacebuilding and joint state efforts, if the reasons for economic expansions are to accumulate wealth, political or economic influence, can that really lead us to a peaceful world? In the end, what states value the most will be prioritized. Perhaps, we must ask the question, what do we value most? If it is peace, we must be ready to sacrifice our own individual gains for the benefit of the whole.