Dear Colleagues,

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the President of the United Nations General Assembly Denis Francis are convening Parliamentary Hearings at the United Nations tomorrow, February 8th on the theme: "Putting an end to conflicts: Prescriptions for a Peaceful Future."
 
There are over 50 violent conflicts raging around the world, authoritarian threats to democracy and freedom are expanding, international efforts to protect the ecosystems of the planet and end the dire threats posed by weapons of mass destruction are faltering.
 
Hundreds of parliamentarians, experts, and advisors from around the world will participate in addressing humanity’s most critical challenges inspired by the IPU’s resolution: Rethinking and Reframing the Approach to Peace Processes With a View to Fostering Lasting Peace.
 
The IPU is a uniquely influential global organization with 180 member parliaments and a distinguished history since its inception in 1889. Its deliberations can be consequential. Please take note of the program and join if you are able. 
 
I also urge your attention to an article recently written by GSI Advisory Board member Hon. Douglas Roche on his views on international nuclear policy, and another article by GSI Board Director, Ambassador Thomas Graham, who offers his opinion on the anti-democratic forces currently emerging within the United States.

With Respect,

Jonathan Granoff,

President, Global Security Institute

EVENTS

Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations: Putting an End to Conflicts: Prescriptions For a Peaceful Future

8th - 9th February, 10am EST 

The meeting will stream live on UN TV. Please click the link below to watch at 10am EST on Thursday, 8 February.

At 3pm, February 8th, GSI President Jonathan Granoff will join Costa Rica’s  Permanent Representative to the United Nations H.E. Ambassador Maritza Chan Valverde and UN Special Coordinator for Development Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, in a session “Security” Redefined: From State-centric Approach to a "New Security Paradigm". This subject was central to GSI’s founder Senator Alan Cranston as well as Mr. Granoff,  who has written passionately that it is virtuous, practical, and urgently needed.

 
Focusing on the security of people, investing in human security and bringing tangible improvements to people’s daily lives is essential to conflict prevention. Yet, today, conflict prevention still revolves primarily around the traditional State-centric approach to security which focuses on the territorial integrity of the State and the role of military force.  With wars raging and military expenditures of over $1 Trillion annually the Sustainable Development Goals are not being fulfilled and healthcare, education, decent livelihoods, and a clean environment are not being adequately provided for billions of people. We will explore advancing a human security approach that focuses first and foremost on meeting human needs.

For the last two years UNITY EARTH has convened two successful online symposiums bringing together like-minded organizations and individuals from around the world to explore an integrated human centered approach to building peace in all its dimensions.  
 
Inspired by the world’s wisdom traditions and born out of the desire to meet global-sized challenges with global-sized solutions, UNITY EARTH is built to amplify the reach and impact of peace-aligned organizations and individuals. They reach millions of people worldwide through programs and activities that focus at the intersection of spirituality, science, technology, transformative practices, and the arts, to engage people across cultures, generations, and geographical boundaries. 
 
Also, this session will have terrific, inspiring music!

Canada and Oppenheimer Race the Doomsday Clock

Canada continues to hold that adherence to NATO’s nuclear weapons policies is more important than a forthright stand against the possession of nuclear weapons, writes Global Security Institute Advisory Board member Hon. Douglas Roche. Roche is a Canadian author, parliamentarian, diplomat and peace activist who has specialized throughout his 40-year public career in peace and human security issues. In addition to having served as a Senator he was also an Ambassador and was appointed Chairman of the United Nations Disarmament Committee at the 43rd General Assembly. He is the founder of the Middle Powers Initiative.

Republicans: Political Party or Threat to the Country?

GSI Board Director, Ambassador Thomas Graham, writes that the United States is faced with a threat as existential as the Civil War in which the Constitution and the ideals expressed in 1776 are at risk. This threat comes from anti-democratic, unconstitutional leadership, policies and behavior that are being expressed openly and forcefully by a major political party.

Ambassador Graham is a former senior U.S. diplomat and was involved in the negotiation of every international arms control and non-proliferation agreement from 1970 to 1997. He served as the Special Representative of the U.S. President  Bill Clinton for Arms Control, Non-Proliferation, and Disarmament and led U.S. government efforts to achieve the permanent extension of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. He also served for 15 years as the general counsel of the Arms Control Disarmament Agency.

UNFOLD ZERO: Nuclear Abolition Movement Alive and Well Despite the State of the World

UNFOLD ZERO is a platform for United Nations (UN) focused initiatives and actions for the achievement of a nuclear weapons free world. It aims to unfold the path to zero nuclear weapons through effective steps and measures facilitated by the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, UN Secretary-General and other UN bodies. UNFOLD ZERO is a project of PragueVision, PNND, Basel Peace Office, Mayors for Peace 2020 Vision Campaign, Aotearoa Lawyers for Peace and Global Security Institute.

As a founding member, GSI urges your attention to UNFOLD ZERO’s recent newsletter explaining its recent achievements.

Rethinking Our Approach to Global Challenges Such as Climate Change

At the AREDAY IMPACT event, hosted by the American Renewable Energy Institute (AREI) in October 2023, Boulder, Colorado, a panel discussion titled “Observations from the United Nations” explored the actions needed to address climate action. Panelists included Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute, Jayashri Sarah Wyatt, Chief, Education Outreach at United Nations Department of Global Communications, and Dr. Ash Pachauri, Co-Founder of The Protect Our Planet Movement (POP).

AREDAY is an annual gathering of renewable energy and environmental experts, that aims to achieve the rapid implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency technology at the speed and scale necessary to solve catastrophic climate change. The event is America’s premiere renewable energy networking event and features world leaders in finance, investment, government, solar, biofuels, geothermal, and high-level representatives from the public and private sectors.

How to Know and Act Today: Insights From Dr. Martin Luther King’s Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech

Hosted by global collaborative community the SINE Network, this thought-provoking event, hosted by Jonathan Granoff of the Global Security Institute, was a highlight of the MLK Weekend of Service and delved into the profound wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The session explored the timeless lessons and powerful directives from Dr. King’s Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech.

We believe as Senator Alan Cranston used to say, “Nuclear weapons are unworthy of civilization.” We research, write, convene, and  work on many levels, from heads of state to public advocacy and need your strong economic support to succeed.

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