Dear Friends,

 

Today’s news is disturbing. An insight from the 1957 Noble Prize in Literature laureate, Albert Camus is valuable to remember:

 

In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.
In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
I realized, through it all, that…
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back
.


In this newsletter is a report from UNFOLD ZERO, an organization founded by several organizations, in which the Global Security Institute is proudly a member, dedicated to a comprehensive integrated peace agenda focused on the support of the United Nations system in advancing a peaceful world without nuclear weapons. The report is about the case before the International Court of Justice on the legal obligations of states regarding climate change. The subject includes duties to future generations and addresses what we believe is not just a practical and legal obligation but also a moral obligation. We have advanced this principle in UN proceedings stating it as a Golden Rule for the 21st Century: “Treat the lives and well-being of future generations as we wish to be treated.”

 

Please also note the upcoming presentation as part of a series of educational discussions organized by the Inter Parliamentary Union. The IPU includes the Parliaments of 181 nations and its influence and prestige in the realm of building international cooperation and understanding is inspiring.

We hope you find this material of value and will support GSI’s efforts. Your support will be honored with diligence and relevant advocacy. Today is Giving Tuesday and your help is deeply appreciated.

 

With Respect,

Jonathan Granoff

President, Global Security Institute

Invitation: 7th International Conference on Future Education

Education is a human right. There is a pressing need for the creation of a global curriculum and pedagogy that responds to today’s rapidly changing world. In response to this need the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS) is convening the 7th International Conference on Future Education at Istinye University in Istanbul. GSI's President Jonathan Granoff is a Fellow and Trustee and will be presenting at a plenary session with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The conference will take place in hybrid format from December 10-12, 2024, and we urge you to look at the extraordinary list of speakers as well as the descriptions of the sessions and the informative concept note to choose which sessions you might like to attend.  

WAAS, the World University Consortium, Istinye University, Istanbul, UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Coalition, UNDP and Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, Arizona State University are collaborating to conduct this extraordinary event.

Webinar organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in cooperation with the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS)

 

Online – 5 December 2024 

Session 1: Timed for the Asia/Pacific region – 7:00 – 8:30 CET 

Session 2: Timed for Africa, Europe and the Americas – 17:00 – 18:30 CET

 

The IPU, in cooperation with the World Academy of Art and Science, is organizing a webinar to familiarize parliamentarians with practical mediation skills for bridging societal divides and promoting dialogue. Recognizing the critical role of parliamentarians in conflict prevention, the event will support them in leveraging their legislative and diplomatic roles to address social and political grievances that can lead to unrest. The webinar will discuss parliamentary diplomacy, trust-building, and share successful peace initiatives to help participants address societal divides, foster understanding locally and globally and advance collaboration for sustainable conflict prevention.

Please note the inclusion in Session 2 of GSI Advisor Senator Douglas Roche, OC, whose insightful wisdom consistently informs and helps guide our work.

Discover IPUs new publication: Human Security and Common Security to Build Peace

ICJ Climate Case Opens in the Hague:

Public hearings for the International Court of Justice case on the 'Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change' opened today with powerful statements from Vanuatu and the Melanesian Spearhead Group, the leading countries in this groundbreaking case. They were followed today by another nine of the 100 countries that have requested to present at the court

 

The court has been requested, by UN General Assembly Resolution 77/276, to decide:

 

1. What are the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases for States and for present and future generations?

 

2. What are the legal consequences under these obligations for States where they, by their acts and omissions, have caused significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment, with respect to:

 

(i) States, including, in particular, small island developing States, which due to their geographical circumstances and level of development, are injured or specially affected by or are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change?

 

(ii) Peoples and individuals of the present and future generations affected by the adverse effects of climate change?”

 

The public hearings, which can be watched live on the ICJ webstream, will continue until December 13. 

 

For or against the Climate?
The legal representative for Saudi Arabia (left) speaking in the court today against legal constraints on fossil fuels, and disputing the human right to a sustainable climate. In contrast, the legal representative from Antigua-Barbuda (right) spoke powerfully in the court today in support of the climate, and for the affirmation and implementation of legal obligations to cut fossil fuel production and emissions in order to protect the climate for current and future generations.

ICJ Climate case and the PACEY Award

The campaign to get this historic case on climate change into the ICJ has been coordinated by World Youth for Climate Justice. They were supported in the early stages of their campaign by the  Peace, nuclear Abolition and Climate Engaged Youth (PACEY) Award, which they won in 2021 (See PACEY Award Winners).

Nominations opened today for the 2025 PACEY Award. If you know of an inspiring youth project on peace, nuclear abolition of climate change, or one that has potential to make a difference, we invite you to nominate it for the 2025 PACEY Award
. (see below for more information)

 

Mert Kumru, Europe front coordinator for World's Youth for Climate Justice (WY4CJ), in front of the International Court of Justice. WY4CJ were a winner of the 2021 Peace, nuclear Abolition and Climate Engaged Youth (PACEY) Award.

PACEY Award 2025: Nominations Now Open

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Peace, nuclear Abolition and Climate Engaged Youth (PACEY) Award.
 
Do you know of a youth project that addresses peace, nuclear disarmament and/or climate issues and that could be boosted by a prestigious award with €5000 in prize money to help it succeed? If so, we encourage you to nominate it for the 2025 PACEY Award
 
The award provides three (3) prizes of €5000 each: one prize in the category of European Youth Project and two prizes in the category of Beyond Europe Youth Project. The award is sponsored by the Basel Peace Office, the Presidential Department of the Canton of Basel-Stadt and the Reformed Evangelical Church of Basel-Stadt.

Nominations are easy. And if you are young and involved in such a project, you can nominate it yourself. The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2024.

 

UNFOLD ZERO is a platform for United Nations (UN) focused initiatives and actions for the achievement of a nuclear weapons free world. It's an affiliated network of Abolition 2000 and a joint project of Basel Peace Office, Mayors for Peace 2020 Vision Campaign, PNND, PragueVision, Aotearoa Lawyers for Peace and the Global Security Institute.

We Value Your Support

 
 

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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