“The UN at 80: Charting the Path Forward on Peace, Human Rights, and a Livable Planet”
Panel discussion
Professors Cecilia Bailliet, Christina Voigt, and Gentian Zyberi, will examine three foundational pillars of the work of the UN facing urgent global challenges, namely peace and security, human rights, and climate change.
Armed Conflict and Peace
The greatest hurdle remains the persistent lack of respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL), resulting in indescribable suffering and devastation. Parties to conflicts continue to undermine IHL by targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools. The pervasive belief that compliance with IHL is optional, often leading to expedient interpretations to justify violence, poses a corrosive threat to the law’s ability to save lives. Furthermore, new technologies of warfare, such as lethal autonomous weapon systems (AWS), introduce challenges concerning the potential loss of human control over the use of force, raising serious ethical concerns and risks of IHL violations. The resurgence and use of anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions also poses a great risk of increasing civilian casualties. States need to respect and ensure respect for IHL and sustained efforts are necessary worldwide to prevent and stop ongoing wars.
Human Rights
In a world rife with conflict and poverty, in the last years human rights have regressed. Civic space is shrinking under authoritarian regimes, and fundamental rights and international law are being ignored or flouted. As we shift towards a new world order it is possible to imagine a new 21st century multilateralism built on networks between States, civil society, corporations, faith institutions, and academics. Our societies need engagement to open civic spaces to call for peace, reduce militarization, protect refugees, reverse the backlash against women’s rights, increase attention to children’s rights, and reduce inequality. Positive peace in the form of elimination of structural violence demands the inclusion of all in education, housing, and employment. International Solidarity for positive peace can provide the framework for a new approach to human rights that will place equality and non-discrimination at the center.
Climate Change and Planet
The climate crisis is accelerating, evidenced by 2023 being the hottest year on record. This emergency drives biodiversity loss and pollution, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Armed conflicts severely deepen this crisis by damaging the environment. Without sufficient climate action, global temperatures are projected to increase by 2.5∘C to 2.9∘C, severely jeopardizing global goals. Extreme weather events exacerbate human security concerns, requiring urgent humanitarian responses. States need to act with a sense of urgency and due diligence and adopt adequate mitigation and adaptation measures.
Event information
- 09.30-10.00: Arrival and registration, coffee and tea
- 10.00-11.30: Panel discussion
After three short presentations, there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and engage in an exchange of thoughts on the way forward. Join the conversation!
Coffee and tea will be served before the panel discussion starts.
Please sign up to confirm your attendance.
