WFM advances common security approaches to prevent armed conflict, resolve international conflicts and build fair, inclusive and sustainable peace. WFM’s peace and security programs help implement and strengthen international obligations and United Nations processes for peace. Our programs also advance human security and environmental security, focusing primarily on the connections between peace, human rights and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Abolish War through Common Security and the Law
Advancing peace through the use of common security mechanisms and the law to resolve conflicts and prevent war.
This project focuses on implementing the United Nations prohibition on war (Article 2 of the UN Charter) by advancing the use of legal and governance mechanisms to resolve international conflicts and achieve common security. Such mechanisms, outlined in the UN Charter, include negotiation, mediation, arbitration, adjudication and use of regional bodies. The project was inspired by the third Hague Peace Conference which brought over 10,000 people to the Hague and produced the Hague Appeal for Peace.
The project has established a Common Security platform and the LAW not War campaign. The Common Security platform includes an explanation of what constitutes common security, an outline of common security approaches, examples of key common security mechanisms and links to common security resources. The LAW not War campaign promotes acceptance of the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, better use of the ICJ to resolve conflicts and ensure compliance with international law, and adoption of national legislative/constitutional measures to enshrine the UN prohibition of war. The project is being coordinated by WFM in cooperation with Citizens for Global Solutions, Global Security Institute, UNFOLD ZERO and the World Future Council.
Gender, Peace and Security
WFM is committed to gender inclusion and equity in its organisational structure and activities across all programs. In addition, WFM has a joint Gender, Peace and Security program with Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND), World Future Council and Youth Fusion. This includes a program of activities to implement UN General Assembly Resolution 73/46 on Women, disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control with a focus on the abolition of nuclear weapons, and activities focused more broadly on UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 2493 on Women, peace and security. Examples of program activities include engagement with parliamentarians and governments on peace, nuclear disarmament and feminist foreign policy, and annual commemorative events we organise on May 24, Women’s International Day for Peace and Disarmament.
United Nations Emergency Peace Service (UNEPS)
The UNEPS proposal is to complement existing UN arrangements with a standing ‘first-responder’, immediately available for deployment once authorized by the UN Security Council. UNEPS would provide a more effective United Nations that can respond rapidly and reliably to prevent armed conflict, protect people, ensure prompt start-up of demanding peace operations and to address human needs in complex emergencies.
UNEPS would be gender-equitable, multidimensional (civilians, police and military) and multifunctional (for humanitarian, health, environmental and security crises). And, it’s to be composed of 13,500 dedicated individuals, recruited, selected, trained and hired by the UN.
This UN ‘emergency security provider’ would also be a ‘game changer’, providing governments with a much-needed incentive to engage in military build-down and wider disarmament, thus freeing up vast resources to address our climate emergency, poverty reduction and sustainable development.
WFM-IGP and WFM-Canada work with other NGOs in the UNEPS network to advance the UNEPS proposal amongst civil society and governments around the world and at the United Nations. This includes promotion at the UN General Assembly and relevant Summits. The proposal is already included in The People’s Pact for the Future in preparation for the 2024 UN Summit of the Future.
The idea for UNEPS stems from the Government of Canada’s report,Towards A Rapid Reaction Capability For The United Nations, presented to the UN General Assembly on its 5oth anniversary. In the words of the late Sir Brian Urquhart (co-chair of the Canadian study),
“This venture is of the greatest importance both to the UN as a responsible institution and to the millions, as of yet unknown innocent victims who might, in the future, be saved by this essential addition to the UN’s capacity to act on their behalf. There is one overwhelming argument for the United Nations Emergency Peace Service. It is desperately needed, and it is needed as soon as possible.”