Latin American Perspectives on Peace Research

1. Latin American Perspectives on Peace Research Introduction to Peace and Culture 13 Oct 2010 Ursula Oswald Spring

2. Structure of the Presentation • Introduction Historical legacy and geopolitical context in Latin America • Peace Research in Latin America • Human, Gender and Environmental Security • Conclusion/final thoughts • Questions for discussion

3. Historical legacy and geopolitical context in Latin America (1)

4. Historical legacy and geopolitical context in Latin America (2)

5. Historical legacy and geopolitical context in Latin America (3)

6. Peace Research in Latin America • It is closely linked to global and local conflicts. • OPENING OF THE PUBLIC’S EYES THROUGH: • Worker movements/ trade unionists • Bourgeois and socialist peace movements (late 19th century) • Hague Conference 1899 • Red Cross Constitution • Works: A Study of War (Quincy Wright)… • Journal of Conflict Resolution (1957), analyzing the WWI and WWII and the Cold War. • 1959: Foundation of the Peace Research Institute in Oslo (Johan Galtung) • 1964: IPRA- International Peace Research Association • ……..

7. IPRACLAIPInternational Peace Consejo Latinoamericano Research Association de Investigación para la Paz • In 1977, the International Congress of the IPRA was held in Mexico. • This developed into the creation of the CLAIP (Latin American Council of Peace Research) • CLAIP activities are linked to ongoing democratization movements, international Human Rights violations, massacres and disappearances of social and political leaders…

8. CLAIP (1) • CLAIP links universities, social movements and democratization processes within the governments. • The positive experience stimulated the establishment of the Asian-Pacific Peace Research Association (1980) and the African Peace Research Association. • At the same time, this enriches the CLAIP.

9. CLAIP (2) • Emphasizes on the indigenous communities: values of education, prevention, social harmony and resistance. • United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf

10. CLAIP (3) • Both the IPRA and the CLAIP adopt to changing conflict scenarios (ex: globalization processes as a threat to peace). • However, they need to resume their efforts to find concrete answers to these new challenges. • This scenarios claim intense social mobilization, as well as responses from the educative system and the media. • Synergies and cooperation is required in order to fight foreign interests.

11. Human, Gender and Environmental Security HUGE

12. GENDER • Gender incorporates all vulnerable and excluded profiles, trying to give them visibility a voice and direct empowerment. • Gender includes • Disabled people - Sexual Minorities • Children - Indigenous groups • Elders -Minority Religious Groups • Men living in poverty without decision making capabilities.

13. Human Security • Gender security should be linked to human and environmental Security. • Human Security is the protection from the threat of disease, hunger, unemployment, crime, social conflict, political repression and environmental hazards. (UNDP) • There have been calls to designate Human Security as a descriptor for a new foreign policy and world view as an alternative to arms race and military confrontation.(CANADA) Respect for human rights International humanitarian laws Refugee protection acts Promotion of humanitarian aid Development based on gender and social equity Cultural diversity with religious freedom.

14. Environmental Security • Threats to the environment are related to - Soil and water (degradation and scarcity) - Air (pollution , climate change Ozone layer depletion) - Population growth • Urban factor ( Urbanization, anthropogenic pollution and contamination) • Rural factors (agriculture, food, fibre)

15. Causes and Potential Outcomes of Environmental Stress

16. HUGE CONCEPT • It combines gender in a broad sense with the conceptual and political debates on environment and human security • Offers gender security guarantees. Equity and identity being the values at risk, and patriarchal orders being the source of threat. • It links social equality, environmental Sustainability, cultural diversity and gender equity.

17. Human Gender and Environmental Security as a Transradical Process

18. Conclusion • Historical legacy and geopolitical context in Latin America European Colonization, Independence Movements, Mexican Revolution , The Cold War, Guerrilla Movements , Cuban Revolution, Dependency Theory, Liberation Theology, Globalization Process, Indigenous and other Social Movements Peace Research in Latin America • International Congress of the for International Peace Research Association Latin American Council of Peace Research Human Gender and Environmental Security as a Transradical Process 12th Oct 1492 Colombus day! Día de la Raza/Hispanidad

19. Discussion • What are challenges faced by peace researchers, educators and actors? • How can sustainable HUman Gender Environmental security be achieved? • Can Military ideologies be replaced by attitudes such as - Respect for human rights - International humanitarian laws Refugee protection acts - Promotion of humanitarian aid - Development based on gender and social equity - Cultural diversity with religious freedom.