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The MUNK Debates, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2010

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The MUNK Debates, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2010

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  1. In a world of globalization and rapid social change does religion provide the common values and ethical foundations that diverse societies need to thrive in the 21st century?  Or, do deeply held religious beliefs promote intolerance, exacerbate ethnic divisions, and impede social progress in developing and developed nations alike? To encourage a far-ranging discussion on one of human kind’s most vexing questions, the 6th semi-annual Munk Debate will tackle the resolution: be it resolved, religion is a force for good in the world. The MUNK Debates, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2010 Toronto, Canada http://www.munkdebates.com/debates/Religion

  2. Last Friday, Canada formally signed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples -non-binding declaration commits member states to protect the rights and resources of Indigenous peoples within the state -The declaration, hammered out over 20 years of talks between diplomats and representatives of aboriginal groups from around the world, says Indigenous peoples have a number of rights – to their lands, culture, and languages, among other things – and that governments should work to protect these rights.

  3. Why were you attracted to a course on politics when you chose your courses? How has this course shaped how and what you think about politics? Final Portfolio Entry …Reflections…

  4. Security • Understand the nature of security and insecurity in international relations • Understand enduring and emerging security dilemmas such as international terrorism and humanitarian intervention • Discuss methods to deal with conflict: • mediation, diplomacy, and conflict resolution • Explain the particular challenge Canada faces in its involvement in the war in Afghanistan. • Consider new geopolitical tensions.

  5. Introduction Is the world naturally at peace, or at war? We can’t ascertain whether humans are naturally peaceful or warlike, but we can conclude that conflict comes with politics In fact, security is a fundamental concern for states

  6. Security and Insecurity • Security: freedom from danger or injury • Never fully assured for any state • Insecurity: threat of danger or injury • Commonplace in international politics • Security issues different today • Once based primarily on geopolitics: relationship of political relationships to the geographical location of a state

  7. Security Today • Geopolitics still important, but other newer issues like human security, and environmental security (ES), and food security also get attention • Attention on the security of the person, rather than the state (See Box 12.1) • "Sustainable development is a compelling moral and humanitarian issue, but it is also a security imperative. Poverty, environmental degradation and despair are destroyers of people, of societies, of nations. This unholy trinity can destabilise countries, even entire regions.“ Colin Powell, 1999 • Threats can come from variety of sources, and security needs to account for these • Military threats, but also political, economic, cultural, social, human, environmental

  8. ES began as an interdisciplinary study in the 1970s when researchers examined what happened in the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa. Early ES research efforts tried to understand the interactions among g the climate, geography, people, and the implications of these changes on human security in the region; noticing the fall of multiple governments during the droughts in this region during the 1970s-’80s. Source: James Ramsay & John M. Lanicci, 4th Annual Homeland Defense & Security Education Summit, February 2010, Washington, DC

  9. NATO • Based on a broad definition of security that recognizes the importance of political, economic, social and environmental factors, NATO is addressing security challenges emanating from the environment. • includes extreme weather conditions, depletion of natural resources, pollution and so on – factors that can ultimately lead to disasters, regional tensions and violence. • in April 2010, a NATO Science workshop in Moscow addressed environmental security and “eco-terrorism” • a workshop in Cairo looked at food security and safety against terrorist threats and natural disasters.

  10. NATO: “climate change is emerging as a threat to peace and security” Achim Steiner, the UN Under-Secretary General and United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Executive Director, on the impact of climate change on global security. “Countries must realise how climate change will effect their human and national security, and identify ways to increase their coping capacity.”

  11. NATO cont’d • 5 main and interlinked dimensions: • resource scarcity (food, water, energy security) • coastal vulnerability (1/3 pop lives in coastal zones) • Intensification of extreme weather events • Over the past 20 years, natural hazards have taken lives of more than 2 million people, have affected more than 200 million people annually, and have produced economic losses of over 1.2 trillion US dollars. • economic impact of Katrina (24 hours): $125 billion • Migration • By 2050, between 50 million and 350 million • Transboundary & shared water resource competition (ie. Arctic)

  12. «Climate change is a threat that can bring us together if we are wise enough to stop it from driving us apart» Achim Steiner, the UN Under-Secretary General & UNEP Executive Director quoting Margaret Beckett

  13. “The economy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the environment. All economic activity is dependent on the environment and its underlying resource base. • When the environment is finally forced to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 because its resource base has been polluted, degraded, dissipated irretrievably compromised, then the economy will bankrupt with it.” • Tim Wirth, Former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs • Tying ES to national and homeland security strategy: Risk mitigation from natural environment hazards involves similar actions to risk mitigation from terrorist attacks.

  14. The next round of climate negotiations in Mexico this December could pursue several actions to implement such a strategy. It could continue current efforts to promote the broad-based scientific assessments that establish the seriousness and damages from climate change; establish international reporting standards for monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions; set greenhouse gas emissions standards for industries and products, based on demonstrated best practice. Developed countries should also continue to assist the poorest nations in adapting to the impacts of climate change. …Not surprisingly, this approach has failed to catalyze change on anywhere near the needed scale. Perhaps it is time for a new strategy, one that sets no specific international plan for the energy revolution, but instead relies on some nations to race ahead and, once a majority have discovered a promising path, gives them the tools to strongly encourage the rest to follow. http://www.rand.org/commentary/2010/07/01/HP.html

  15. UN mandated graduate school of peace studies Environmental factors have been increasingly implicated in analyses of development, peace and conflict situations. analyze the impacts of environmental stress and climate change on human livelihoods, health and fulfilment of basic needs, and on the sustainability and resilience of fragile ecosystems.

  16. International Anarchy • ‘Condition where there is no ‘world government’; the sovereign nation-state is the highest authority in the international system’ • Different conceptions of security (see Box 12.2) • Contributes to continued state of insecurity, since states are left to defend themselves and provide their own security • Leads to security dilemma: • ‘Conception in world politics that states are both protected by the existence of states, and threatened by them’

  17. War in International Relations • Not all conflict is war • ‘State of actualor perceived incompatible interests’ • But all war is based on conflict • ‘Use of armed forces in conflict with enemy’ • International security is concerned with all types of conflict • But war is the most extreme and violent

  18. War • Every country must deal with war, even if it is to defend against it • ‘War is the continuation of politics by other means’ • Carl von Clausewitz (1780–1831)

  19. War and Power • States use power differently: • To coerce others • As threat against non-compliance • Use of economic strength with embargoes and sanctions • Outright use of military force against others

  20. Just Wars(See Box 12.3) • Laws of Armed Conflict govern declaration, waging, and aftermath of war • When is war just, however? • Right conditions • Not war of aggression • Comparative justice: address suffering felt by one side • Legitimate authorities • Not futile • Fought with proportionate means

  21. Are We More ‘War-Like’? War has always been used as tactic Difficult to assess whether we’re more likely to use it today However, studies show frequency of war is as high as ever, and instance of war has increased More importantly, war is likelier in the developing world

  22. Terrorism ‘Strategy of violence designed to bring about political change by instilling fear in the public at large’ 9/11 attacks change global security issues Legacy of 9/11 (Afghan and Iraq wars, global terror networks) still with us

  23. Humanitarian Interventionism • Countries ‘intervene’ in affairs of others all the time • Humanitarian intervention is different • ‘Interference in the affairs of a sovereign state with the intention of reducing the suffering felt by people in that country’ • May be justified as means to help others, but always will be contentious and contested • Exactly when do we ‘know’ it’s time to intervene?

  24. Humanitarian Intervention • John Stuart Mill: right and responsibility of civilized states to intervene in the interests of international morality • Genocide during the Holocaust of World War II led to renewed attention to intervention • Yet we still fail to act (see Box 12.6 on Rwanda) • Responsibility to Protect (R2P) a recent (2001) attempt to clarify need to act against atrocities

  25. Resolving Conflict Many forms of resolving conflict today Negotiation: bargaining process among parties to seek commonly agreed upon resolution of dispute Mediation: voluntary process using impartial party to bring about resolution of dispute Arbitration: authoritative resolution to dispute made by impartial person agreed upon by all parties

  26. “The stark and inescapable fact is that today we cannot defend our society by war since total war is total destruction, and if war is used as an instrument of policy, eventually we will have total war.” Lester B. Pearson Want more info? Check out: http://www.unac.org/peacekeeping/en/un-peacekeeping/

  27. Peacekeeping, Conflict Management, and Resolution • Sometimes these means are not possible • Peacekeeping presents another option • ‘Military and civilian personnel in a conflict area used to stop or contain hostilities or supervise the carrying out of a peace agreement’ • A ‘Canadian invention’ with Lester Pearson’s 1956 ‘emergency force’ proposal to the UN • Peacekeeping has become a major UN activity now

  28. Peacekeeping • Increasingly expensive, and growing number of missions • Many states, e.g., Canada, contribute few soldiers when they are tasked with other missions (like Afghanistan, for Canada) • Is the UN the right organization? • Should it be regional? Can different armies be ‘interoperable’ in missions? • Peacekeeping undoubtedly one of the most effective conflict management means available

  29. Canada in Afghanistan • Good example of many topics raised in this lecture: • 9/11 and terrorism led to Afghan War • Canada’s multifaceted role in Afghanistan includes peacekeeping (though it is not strictly a peacekeeping mission) • Mission reflects the nature of insecurity felt in modern international politics • NYTIMES: A Year at War • http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/world/battalion.html?hp#/NYT/26

  30. UN SC Resolution 1325? A watershed political framework that makes women –and a gender perspective relevant to all aspects of peace processes- from peace agreements through peace support operations and planning for refugee, IDP’s and other war affected to post-conflict reconstruction processes and the restoration of the social fabric of a broken society. Resolution 1325 makes the pursuit of gender equality relevant to every single action of the UN SC ranging from Mine Clearance to Elections to Demobilisation, Disarmament, Reintegration & Security Sector Reform.

  31. On October 31, 2000, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security: It is binding upon all UN Member States and the adoption of the Resolution marked an important international political recognition that women and gender are relevant to international peace and security. Tenth anniversary of SCR 1325 in October 2010, there remain major gaps in implementation and accountability for that implementation. • Historic and Unprecedented • 1325 did not come out of nowhere • It was preceded by numerous international documents, treaties and statements

  32. People don’t know it exists …First time the Security Council addressed the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women; recognized the under-valued and under-utilized contributions women make to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peace-building. It also stressed the importance of women’s equal and full participation as active agents in peace and security. Key Provisions of SCR 1325:• Increased participation and representation of women at all levels of decision-making.• Attention to specific protection needs of women and girls in conflict.• Gender perspective in post-conflict processes.• Gender perspective in UN programming, reporting and in SC missions.• Gender perspective & training in UN peace support operations. • Didn’t meet 30% quota target for women in UN system set out for 2005 • Rape and other forms of sexual violence and gender-based violence systematic, and widespread in today’s armed conflicts: • DRC: Rape as a systematic tool of warfare • Iraq: Rise in reported cases of kidnapping, rape, trafficking

  33. “There is a persistent shortfall in the financing of solutions for women’s needs in post-conflict recovery plans, along with very high levels of sexual violence in some conflicts. Women are still marginalized in peace processes, with research indicating that in 24 peace processes over the past two decades, women formed less than 8 percent of negotiating teams. The consequence is that women’s concerns aren’t reflected in peace agreements, which in turn compromises inclusive and equitable recovery and sustained peace.” • Source: http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/documents/1325anniv_media_advisory.pdf • More info: www.peacewomen.org/themes_theme.php?id=15&subtheme=true • While Gender training is compulsory for peacekeepers, its integration relies on the political will of each mission head. • Needs and voices of the dependants of ex-combatants frequently ignored and marginalized, respectively • Refugee women and girls continue to experience sexual and gender based violence in refugee camps and settlements, forced to trade sex for humanitarian supplies • Continued poor record of SC consultation with women’s organizations while on mission

  34. November 18, 2010War and 1325: Principles or Diversity Checkbox ?A week after Hillary Clinton announced that the U.S. would be developing a national action plan for the implementation of UN SCR 1325 and providing $44 million in funding, more than a thousand women attended the “Women and War" conference in Washington DC. Kathleen Kuehnast of the U.S. Institute for Peace said the goal of the conference was to bring the dialogue on women, peace and security to Washington, and to build a “community of practice” made up of veteran peace activists, grassroots peacebuilders, defense contractors, academics, and senior officials at the Pentagon. Go to: http://www.peacewomen.org/themes_theme.php?id=15&subtheme=true

  35. FYI: Security Council Open Debate on Women and Peace and Security was held on 26 October 2010, Security Council Chamber Women peace advocates presented the report, Women Count for Peace: The 2010 Open Days on Women, Peace and Security and the 1325 petition to UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon in October http://www.saynotoviolence.org/make-women-count-for-peace Executive Summary of the Global Open Day Report is available at: http://www.unifem.org/campaigns/1325plus10/global-open-day/

  36. Canada in Afghanistan • Canada is in Afghanistan in part as aid to its military ally (US) and also out of alliance responsibilities (NATO) • Mission is marked by military, political/diplomatic, and development roles • Three government departments: National Defence, Foreign Affairs, and CIDA • Shows truly multifaceted nature of contemporary security issues

  37. Arctic Security Challenges and Issues • Rob HuebertRhuebert@ucalgary.ca • CIC Senior Fellow: CDFAI Fellow • THE CLIMATE CHANGE-SECURITY NEXUS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CANADIAN DEFENCE POLICY AND OPERATIONS 2010-2030 • Ottawa, January 28, 2010 http://www.ligi.ubc.ca/sites/liu/files/Publications/Huebert.pdf

  38. Main Themes • Canada is facing a Transforming Arctic Security Environment • The Arctic is in a state of massive transformation • Climate Change • Resource Development –(was up to a high $140+ barrel of oil-now $80barrel) • Geopolitical Transformation/Globalization • Arctic as a Geopolitical Transit Point • Arctic as a New Source of Resources • Has a New Arctic Arms Race Arrived? • What does this mean for Canada?

  39. Confounding Nature of Arctic Security • Non-linear Progression of Factors • We do not understand interaction of change • Events can occur very quicklyeg. economic crisis • Tendency to believe if things are going well now they will continue to go well............... • Complexity of North • Will remain a very expensive and difficult region to operate in • Increasing Interest + Undetermined Maritime Borders + Involvement of Powerful States = Uncertain International Security Environment

  40. The Economics: The Hope of Resources Oil and Gas: Resources of the North Source: AMAP

  41. New Geopolitics of the North • Russia • Renewed Assertiveness • Petrodollars • United States • Multi-lateral reluctance/emerging concern to act • International Role as remaining Superpower • Norway • Refocus on North • Growing Interest (Concern?) with Russia • Denmark • Issues with Greenland –social; energy • New Naval capabilities • Iceland • Economic melt-down • Finland/Sweden • NATO –Loyal Arrow • Canada • Renewed Assertiveness • Re-examining its Arctic capabilities

  42. Delta IVs at the Arctic 2009 Source: Defence Intelligence Agency

  43. US Arctic Exercises Northern Edge “The United States has broad and fundamental national security interests in the Arctic region and is prepared to operate either independently or in conjunction with other states to safe-guard these interests” National Security Presidential Directive 66/ Homeland Security Presidential Directive 25 -Arctic Region Policy (January 9 2009)

  44. Canadian Navy in Coastal Waters Resumed in 2002 –Operation Narwhal • Hudson Sentinel -2005 Hudson Bay • Operation Nanook Eastern Arctic • 700 troops and OGD • Operation Nunakput Western Arctic • •Operation Nunalivut –Ranger Parol

  45. Where are we headed? • Circumpolar states have called for cooperation • Circumpolar states are building up their combat capable force for the Arctic • New Equipment –Ice and Combat Capable • New Policies –Unilateral “concern” • Geopolitics Concerns reduced immediately after end of Cold War • New concerns are arising as Arctic is perceived/becoming more accessible • Issues will be Maritime/Aerospace • New actors to the region

  46. Security in Canada’s North Looking Beyond Arctic SovereigntyThis report examines three dimensions of security in the North—Arctic security, Northern security, and community security—in order to provide a more comprehensive picture of the security challenges in Canada’s North. Report by Bjorn RuttenThe Conference Board of Canada, 44 pages, November 2010http://www.conferenceboard.ca/documents.aspx?did=3887

  47. Be it Resolved Climate Change is Mankind's Defining Crisis, and Demands a Commensurate Response…. Or should the debates have been over what to do, not whether to do??? 2009 Munk Debateshttp://www.munkdebates.com/The-Debates/Climate-Change Questions : • As oil becomes more expensive and countries seek new alternatives for fuel, what will that mean for the oil-rich countries of the world today? • Here in Canada, what might that mean for Alberta and Newfoundland?

  48. Working closely with relevant U.S. departments and agencies, DoD has undertaken environmental security cooperative initiatives with foreign militaries that represent a nonthreatening way of building trust, sharing best practices on installations management and operations, and developing response capacity.~Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Report, Feb. 2010“It’s not hard to make the connection between climate change and instability, orclimate change and terrorism.” General (Retired) Anthony C. Zinni, U.S. Marine Corps 4th Annual Homeland Defense & Security Education Summit Washington, DC, February 2010, Ramsay & Lanicci

  49. Climate and Food Security • Seasonal Climate Forecasts • Natural cycles of drought • Global Warming • Impact of Agriculture on Climate • Polly Ericksen • Environmental Change Institute • University of Oxford

  50. Food security… ... exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. (World Food Summit 1996) ... is underpinned by Food Systems.

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