Special News--April 2022
Staring War in the Face "WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED
to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war..."Preamble of the UN Charter (1945)
Image from the cover of Children in War, Christoph von Toggenburg/ICRC (2009)“We are a world in pieces.
We need to be a world at peace.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres
UN General Assembly, 19 September 2017
“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.
This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”Martin Luther King Jr. Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, 1964---------Overview
In this Update we probe deeper into the reality of war. We share 10 resources that we have found helpful over the years for understanding armed conflicts in our world, the experiences of people in war, and the efforts to prevent and alleviate warfare's destructive impacts. Many of these materials are from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This is a crucial subject into which to delve if "we the Peoples of the United Nations" are to really help "save succeeding generations [following WWII] from the scourge of war."
What's Happening in Our World?
For a quick, visual overview of 27 ongoing armed conflicts in the world--not the least of course is the war raging in eastern Europe now--have a look at the summary maps by Virtual Capitalist. The maps are organized in terms of territorial dispute, civil war, interstate, political instability, transnational terrorism, and sectarian conflicts. Are there any conflicts that you were not aware of or had forgotten about?
Applications--Making It Personal
--What interests and impacts you? Choose one or more resources below that you want to explore further. What is it about the topic that interests you and/or impacts you the most?
--What is relevant for the world? List a few ways that this Update and/or some of its resources are specifically relevant for the people and places in the world experiencing armed conflict.
--What else about war? What other resources and materials have influenced and been of help to you? List a few ways that your past experiences and worldview shape how you "stare war in the face."
Going Further--see these Global Integration Updates:
--Peace on Earth: Sharing our Stories and Strategies (January 2022)
--Genocide: Bearing Witness (December 2020)
--Shaping the Future We Want: UN75 Global Conversation (January 2020)
--Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Humanitarian Settings (November 2019)
--Peace Psychology and Sustaining Peace (May 2018)
Warm greetings,
Kelly and Michèle
MCAresources@gmail.com
Featured Resources
Staring War in the Face
"WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED
to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war..."
Preamble of the UN Charter (1945)
Image from The War on Children. Save the Children (2016, page 32)
"What are your hopes for your future?"
Shaping Our Future Together
United Nations (2020--five minute video)
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
Nelson Mandela, The Long Walk to Freedom
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We the Peoples...
1. People on War. ICRC (2016). Summary (four pages) and full report. "Between June and September 2016, over 17,000 people in 16 countries were asked to share their views on a range of issues relating to war–in the People on War survey. The results are both reassuring and alarming....Almost half of those surveyed in conflict-affected countries believe the Geneva Conventions prevent wars from getting worse. But we also see that people are becoming resigned to the death of civilians as an inevitable part of war.
There is a disconnect between public opinion and the policies and actions of States and armed groups. Violations of the laws of war–including the targeting of civilians, humanitarian workers and hospitals–continue. Yet the survey results clearly show that the majority of people understand that these practices are wrong and that civilians and health-care workers and facilities must be protected."
2. Children in War. ICRC (2009). The 2020 version is available for purchase HERE. “Conflict increases the vulnerability of those who are already vulnerable, especially children. A child needs a family and a community that provide a nurturing and protective environment. The effects of war on the young can be devastating... Children are imprisoned, raped, maimed for life, even killed. Armed conflict tears families apart, forcing thousands of children to fend for themselves and to care for very young siblings. Exploitation of children, which often increases during armed conflict, takes many forms, such as forced labour or – in extreme cases – slavery. This may be the fate of children who have been recruited by armed forces or armed groups or of children in detention.
Child trafficking, for purposes such as unlawful adoption and forced labour, may also increase. Boys and girls deprived of the protection of their parents and other relatives are most at risk. Destitution and the loss of close relatives may force young girls into early marriages or prostitution and very young children to become the heads of their families. The disruption of public services can restrict children’s access to health care and education. At least half of the world’s out-of-school children of primary school age live in conflict-ridden countries. In addition to their immediate suffering, children are also psychologically damaged by witnessing atrocities committed against their loved ones. But the resilience of boys and girls must not be underestimated. Well-targeted care can help them recover, cease to be victims of war, and take possession of their lives.” (page 1)
We the Peoples...
"ICRC hospital, Kabul. This little girl was injured buy an antipersonnel mine while guarding her sheep."
Children and War, ICRC (1994, pages 14-15)
3. Children and War. ICRC (1994). This 32 page "Special Brochure" in particular has impacted us over the years. Through poignant images and comments as well as short overviews about suffering, family separation, child soldiers, etc. it brings the reality of war and its consequences on people and especially children clearly into the light--and into our souls.
"I was caring for my sheep as usual. I stepped into the fold and saw a round thing. When I picked it up it exploded. Here I have illustrated my leg injuries with the drawing of a shoe, even though I know I will never wear shoes again." (image above)
4. RCRC Magazine. An online magazine with video stories, photo galleries, special series, archives from 1995-2018, and more. Amazing, moving, informative! Just one example is the issue in 2018, "Seeking Peace of Mind--Coping with the Psychological and Mental Health Impacts of Crisis." Our goal is to connect you with powerful stories told by people around the world who are coping with enormous challenges due to natural disasters, climate change, health emergencies and conflict. We want to share what we learn from these stories so that—together—we can better understand the realities many people face and how we can all help them find solutions. We also hope to inspire you to engage and join with others—including the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement—in working to make life better for all people around the world."
We the Peoples...
Image from the cover of A Short Introduction to Psychological First Aid.
Psychosocial Centre, IFRC (2019)
5. A Short Introduction to Psychological First Aid. Psychosocial Centre, IFRC (2019). Also available in Ukrainian, French, and Greek. "Psychological first aid [PFA] is a simple, yet powerful way of helping someone in distress. It involves paying attention to the person’s reactions, active listening and if relevant, practical assistance to help address immediate problems and basic needs. Learning psychological first aid skills and understanding reactions to crises empowers helpers to help others and apply the same skills to their own lives. A Short Introduction to Psychological First Aid contains chapters about What is PFA, Who needs PFA and How to provide PFA. It also contains a short introduction to PFA for children and PFA in Groups." See the other overview guides for PFA by the IFRC (free downloads).
6. International Review of the Red Cross--Special Issue on Children and War (August 2019, Volume 101, Number 911). "In wartime, children are especially vulnerable to a myriad of risks that deprive them of the opportunity to fully experience childhood and are all too often drawn into hostilities. In the ever-evolving circumstances of armed conflict, how can we provide all children with the protection they are both morally and legally entitled to and ensure that their needs and rights are fulfilled? To address this question, and just after marking the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Review has chosen to dedicate this issue to children affected by armed conflict."
We the Peoples...
Image from the UNHCR website (bi-weekly newsletter information)
7. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. "At least 82.4 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes. Among them are nearly 26.4 million refugees, around half of whom are under the age of 18. There are also millions of stateless people, who have been denied a nationality and lack access to basic rights such as education, health care, employment and freedom of movement...1 in every 95 people on earth has fled their home as a result of conflict or persecution...Our workforce is the backbone of UNHCR. As of 31 December 2020, we employ 17,878 people, of whom around nearly 91 per cent are based in the field. We work in 132 countries and territories, with personnel based in a mixture of regional and branch offices and sub and field offices. Our teams work hard to help the displaced, specializing in a wide range of disciplines, including legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs and health." (quote from website) See also UNHCR's News and Stories.
8. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) "This section provides an overview of OCHA’s mandate, its leadership and how it is funded. It also includes a detailed section on OCHA’s flagship and thematic publications, and on the Agenda for Humanity--a plan put forward by the UN Secretary-General calling on global leaders to stand up for our common humanity and reduce humanitarian suffering." Note that Commitment 1 of 5 in the Agenda is for "Political leadership to prevent and end armed conflicts."
We the Peoples...
9. United Nations--Peace and Security.
Review the various mandates, structures, and efforts of the UN to prevent war and maintain peace--for better or for worse--throughout the world since its establishment in 1945.
10. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). “SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. Based in Stockholm, SIPRI is regularly ranked among the most respected think tanks worldwide. SIPRI's vision is a world in which sources of insecurity are identified and understood, conflicts are prevented or resolved, and peace is sustained. SIPRI’s mission is to: undertake research and activities on security, conflict and peace; provide policy analysis and recommendations; facilitate dialogue and build capacities; promote transparency and accountability; and deliver authoritative information to global audiences.”
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