EXPLORING THE HUMAN FACTOR IN GLOBAL CHANGE

Caux, Switzerland – 3-8 July 2015

CAUX CONFERENCES 2015

2015 CONFERENCE REPORT

Just Governance depends on Citizens as much as on Governments. That is the concept underlying Human Security, an approach which has been adopted by the UN General Assembly for UN programs worldwide. It puts the individual at the centre of security planning, aiming to meet their basic needs and confront the causes of their fears.

Central to this approach is the struggle for integrity in governance at every level – in parliaments and governments, and in education, industry, business and civic affairs.

Just Governance for Human Security brought 230 people to Caux who are active in this struggle in 44 countries. The conference focused on structures of governance, but even more on the human factors which enable both leaders and citizens to work effectively towards an inclusive, democratic approach. In the confidentiality of Caux they were able to speak frankly about the difficulties they face, learn from others, and find new strength for the challenges they face.

This report carries extracts from the conference discussions. The conference website carries much more information.

www.justgovernance.net

Dr John Carlisle led a Red-Blue exercise on negotiating for win-win outcomes Matthias Stieffel from Switzerland, founder of Interpeace, and Professor Katherine Marshall of Georgetown University, USA, led workshops on ‘Overcoming corruption in governance and resources’.

There was music too…

…and plenty of humourCaux conferences respect confidentiality. Everyone quoted in this report has approved their contribution.

COLLABORATION AT THE DECISION-MAKING TABLEMichael Møller, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, spoke to a plenary session, and answered numerous questions. He acknowledged that trust in the UN is at a low ebb, with deadlock in the Security Council on crucial concerns such as the war in Syria. However, he pointed out that the UN is still vaccinating 2 million Syrians against polio, and taking care of 4 million refugees. ‘Without the UN the world would be a lot worse than it is.’

He spoke of policies which the UN is supporting and strengthening through ongoing negotiation, including sustainable development goals, climate change, international crisis management and financial support for development. These are all vital concerns which transcend national boundaries.

Closing the gap

In his view the state-centric system of governance is losing its relevance. ‘There is a governance vacuum in many places, and vacuums get filled, not always for the best. We stand to lose so much if we don’t get governance right, and very soon.’ He sees hope in the growth of multi-stakeholder partnerships, which ‘have been extraordinarily efficient in bringing solutions.’

He noted that ‘Inequality needs to be addressed, as do a whole world of structural problems, and these can no longer be left to governments. It has to be collaborative. We need to bring NGOs, business, the media, academia to the decision-making table. That is where we will restore trust. Human rights have moved into the mainstream at astonishing speed in thelast 20 years, and this has been, to a large extent, due to civil society.

‘It is our joint responsibility to close the gap, to work outside the box, to transform talk into action and create new structures,’ he went on. ‘This calls for fundamental changes in the way we do business, educate our children and ourselves, and in the role of the media.’ The media needs both to educate and to be a counterweight to power.

Far more than in the past, he concluded, our future depends on our readiness to accept individual and collective responsibility. He finds hope in many young people he meets ‘who want to change the world, just as we did.’

Mr Møller discussed with participants their initiatives to advance human security. Here he meets (l to r) Oleksandr Zimchenko, Deputy Director of Ukraine’s Institute for National Memory, Daphrose Barampama from Burundi, Yara Zgreib from Lebanon. On return to Geneva Mr Møller tweeted about the conference, saying that it ‘highlighted the enormous potential of civil society.’

JUST GOVERNANCE IS NOT JUST FOR GOVERNMENTSHow can citizens be empowered to play their vital role?PROTECTING THE SPRINGSArchana Rao, Associate Director, Grampari, India

In 2013 I chose to leave London, a city I loved, and a job in publishing I loved, and returned to India to work at a rural and ecological centre called Grampari. I had decided to endeavor to live a compassionate life. I am nowhere close to it yet but I keep trying.

Grampari evolved in response to the needs of the villages around Asia Plateau, the Initiatives of Change centre, and 80% of our team come from these villages. At its core is a consistent effort to be the change we want to

see in the world. We have developed six programmes fundamental to rural development – livelihood, watershed, health and hygiene, organic farming, youth and governance.

I work on the watershed programme, which aims to protect the springs in the region so that the villages get clean drinking water, and to put water back into the earth so that the aquifers – the underground basins of water – are recharged. In India the aquifers are depleting at a dramatic rate. In our region, where one aquifer provides water to several villages, villagers sometimes have just two pots of water per day for an entire household.

First committee in India

Earlier this year eight villagers came to our office. They wanted to resolve an issue with a neighbouring village. We discussed the problem. We also talked about the depletion of water in the springs. We ended with a time of silence to seek any fresh ideas.

After five minutes of silence, one person shared his ideas. ‘In our village, we all protect each other’s homes,’ he said. ‘Why can’t we protect our hill in the same way, by bringing together all the villagers who live around the hill?’ During the following weeks, this proposal was discussed in the villages, and understanding grew that this was how they could protect the aquifer in the hill.

Last month villagers from several villages came together with us to form an aquifer committee. This is the first committee in India established to look after an aquifer.

ALL UKRAINIANS HAVE A ROLEIhor Koliushko, UkraineHead of Board, Centre for Political and Legal ReformSince the Maidan revolution of 2013-14, the Ukrainian community has become conscious of the role of civil society. Until then, few understood us when we talked about self-organisation. The Maidan showed what civil society can do, and this has continued.

Ukrainians realised their Government could not support the army adequately, and was slow to bring reform. So civil society mobilised. Some created medical centres to treat the wounded. Some discovered that the soldiers needed dental treatment, and brought in dentists. Legal experts developed proposals for reform, and drafted legislation for Parliament.

Civil society action has been fundamental to the country’s ability to defend itself, and to advance the reforms we need to achieve European standards in our governance and economic affairs.

Mr Koliushko was joined at Caux by 25 Ukrainians active in civic initiatives to overcome corruption, nurture dialogue across the country’s internal divisions, and much else.

IRAQI MAESTRO PLAYS AT BAGHDAD BOMBSITEAmal Al-Jabouri, IraqFounder, Arab Human Rights Academy

I am working in the refugee camps with the people who have fled from the ISIS-controlled regions. Humanitarian organisations are providing their basic needs. But we also need to heal the psychological wounds, and enable refugees to find hope. We enlist writers and artists who tell human stories. We provide workshops for adults, and painting materials for children.

Carl Stauffer of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University, USA, outlined seven ways in which civil society can help improve governance:

Provocateur – ‘Speaking truth to power’ enables poor governance to be exposed, stripping away hidden agendas. Voice for the voiceless – Bringing to light the plight of those marginalized by poor governance. Mobilizing the masses – Harnessing the energy of the populace nonviolently in response to uncaring government. Intermediary – As impartial mediators in a conflict.A conduit for dialogue – Providing the ‘safe-space’ for governments and the citizenry to build trust. A moral voice for reconciliation – Enabling everyone’s story to be heard, both ‘perpetrators’ and ‘victims’, and providing sanctuaries for healing.Peace-builders – Developing conflict prevention strategies, inclusive systems, and all that establishes sustainable good governance.

Dr Stauffer’s full text can be found atwww.justgovernance.net

And we have established Soutuna, the first TV online in Iraq. We did this because, although the media in Iraq is now free, all the TV channels propagate their particular political stance. We remind people of our shared history, Iraqi, Kurds, Turkmen, Assyrians and all. We include films telling other nations’ experience in reconciliation and healing. The support we have received means that we are now expanding this online TV.

When there was a bombing in Baghdad, Karim Wasfi, a maestro of Iraqi music, went to the site and played his cello in defiance of the bombers. People came to watch and life started again. We filmed him, and over 1,000 media platforms took the clip.

SEVEN STEPS

TOWARDS HUMAN

SECURITY

Participants plan civil society initiatives

THE CHALLENGE OF TRUST-BUILDINGResolving conflict depends on the growth of trust between those in conflict. How is trust fostered?

MOVING THE HEART OF THE OTHERBintou Founè Samaké , Mali President of Women in Law and Development in Africa

After 20 years of democratic stability, in 2012 armed groups took control of the north of Mali. Soon after, the Mali Government was overthrown by a coup. After eight months of negotiation a peace agreement has just been signed. But the conflict has undermined the social fabric, and women have suffered especially. Wounds have opened, and a climate of distrust still torments the victims, calling into question our ability to live together.

How do we restore trust? With our partners, we have consulted over 2,000 victims of the conflict and, with the support of Creators of Peace International, we have started a programme of peace circles. Those who have suffered need to find healing individually, and then go out to others. A person can forgive, and accept the other as a brother or sister. But unless that forgiveness moves the heart of the other, the unhealed wounds will one day awaken demons of hatred.

Both the state and civil society have a role. People have said yes, we want to live together but we want justice so that we have confidence in the future. Perpetrators must suffer the legal consequences of their actions. Meanwhile we, in civil society, must develop tools and strategies to restore trust.

WALLS AND BRIDGESSylvester Turner

Sylvester Turner grew up in one of the poorest communities of Richmond, Virginia. He is the Director of Reconciliation Programs for the Hope in the Cities program which has helped reduce racial tension in many cities of the United States (See us.iofc.org/our-iofc-story). He outlined the lessons he has learned on building trust:

• Be willing to take risks. No risk, no reward. • Discover the authentic history. History is always at the root of conflict, but the history we hear is often the view of those in power. We need to understand other perspectives.• Build a bridge strong enough to carry the weight. You need the fortitude to withstand all that comes back at you. When we started a conversation on race in Richmond, for every five walls we ran into, we found one person who wanted to talk. As more people joined us, the taboo against talking about race fell away.• Bring all the needed voices to the table, including those whose voice is not heard. • Own your role in the conflict. Too often we point fingers

instead of taking responsibility. Even those who have

been oppressed have a role to play. • Seek to do what is right rather than argue over who is right.

The Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) sponsored 24 senior officials and political and civic leaders from Mali, Chad and Niger. They came for a two-day special workshop led by the FDFA in partnership with the Cordoba Foundation, and for the Just Governance conference. Ms Bintou Samaké was part of this group.

Dr Sylvester Turner

ARMENIAN-TURKISH DIALOGUE

On the centenary of the Armenian genocide, Turks and Armenians met at Caux to explore how to build trust between their peoples.

This initiative began in Lebanon five years ago, when Armenian students whose forebears had fled to Lebanon were encouraged by their professor, Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous, to study their national history.

An annual hike was begun, to Musa Dagh, a town in Turkey where in 1915 Armenians resisted the Ottoman army. Its purpose was to learn the history, and to explore how a century of hostility could be overcome. In this quest, they discovered Turkish students who sought the same, and they all decided to meet at Caux.

Tense moments

‘It was an amazing experience,’ wrote a Turkish student, ‘to get to know each other’s sorrowful family histories and learn how to forgive each other. I have grasped some aspects of dealing with a painful past, healing memory and progressing towards reconciliation.’

A Lebanese Armenian wrote, ‘We said things we had never been able to say. There were tense moments, but the dialogue paved the way towards reconciliation. We are now planning more meetings for the coming year.’

Ayşenur Korkmaz, Turkey

I was raised in a patriotic conservative Turkish family. I learned at school that Turks should stick together and not let minorities – Kurds, Armenians, Jews, even Arabs – divide us. But the reasons I was given did not satisfy me. I studied history at Istanbul University and there I learned from an Armenian what had happened to his family. I started to collect stories from Turkey’s minorities. I realised that I had to acknowledge the Armenian genocide, even though it meant conflict with my family and friends. It is hard to find myself isolated every time a TV story on Armenia stirs discussion. But it is also inspiring, because it is about justice. I have now decided to study the Armenian genocide. I hope I can do this in Turkey, but if this is impossible, I will do so elsewhere.

‘Avo Sevag Garabet, Lebanese Armenian. ‘I learnt from childhood that Turks are the enemy’

THE QUALITIES OF A CHANGE-MAKER

STANDING FOR THE TRUTHProfessor Andrei Zubov, Russia

In 2006 Solzhenitsyn called me and suggested that we work on a history of Russia in the twentieth century. I invited 45 historians to join the project. When historians come together, the extent of arguments often leads to frustration. But we worked cooperatively, and in 2009 published a history of great importance.

Last year I watched events in Crimea. As a political scientist I concluded that this was the equivalent of Hitler’s annexation of Austria, and my professional duty was to make this understood. For a few days I agonised. On 1st March I sat down and wrote an article, which I read to my family and sent to some friends. One of them phoned me. He writes for the Vedomosti newspaper, and they wanted to print it.

This was a moment of truth; I was being challenged to serve God rather than myself. I knew that I would be dismissed from my university and would face many difficulties. But I gave permission. As soon as I had done so, I felt light and peaceful.

This article was translated into many languages and published all over the world. I hope that Ukrainians understood that not everyone in Russia supports the occupation of Crimea. Since then I have devoted myself to democratising our totalitarian system and establishing peace with Ukraine.

EMPATHY & IMAGINATIONProfessor Anjum Ali USA Adjunct Professor of Islamic Studies, J Sargeant Reynolds College, Richmond, VA

It is a fundamental tenet of Islam that a believer who sees something wrong should take action to change it. And if that is not possible, at least speak out.

Speaking truth is tricky when our religion is being hijacked by extremism and violence. Even in the USA I am more cautious than previously in sharing my views. I work to change perceptions by showing that Islamic society was always framed around a pluralistic concept. I tell of the golden period in Muslim history when women were so much favoured that even Christian and Jewish women preferred the Muslim courts to resolve a dispute. It was very different to what we experience today.

We Muslims need to be more ready to stand alongside others when they have been wronged. A changemaker needs to empathise with others, and that calls for imagination. Today, with the plague of extremism, we all need it more than ever.

What does it take to be effective in advancing human security?

Bedan Mbugua’s commitment to change-making has seen him imprisoned twice. And now he is pioneering a radical approach to broadcasting.

A well-known Kenyan journalist, his first prison conviction came for exposing rigging in the 1988 Presidential elections, his second for exposing bribery in Kenya’s judiciary.

Today, thanks to the struggle of people like him, media freedom has grown. And Bedan became a General Manager in Kenya’s largest private media organisation, establishing radio stations in nine countries.

But this did not satisfy him. ‘One day I thought, why does the media miss out on so much good news? If you watch a TV story that inspires you to get involved, that gives you power. We need this power if we are improve our society.’

He found financial backers and Fountain Media was born. Soon he had a team of journalists, presenting a variety of TV programmes with a focus on creative community action, and a monthly magazine, Tune.

TV PROMOTING COMMUNITY POWERKenyan men were dying in large numbers from adulterated alcohol known as ‘illicit brew’. To combat this some women started Mothers Against Drug Abuse. Fountain Media helped them organise large demonstrations in six of Kenya’s 47 counties, and publicised the response.

Watchdogs against bribery

Before long Kenya’s President Kenyatta ordered the police to crack down on the brew-makers. Now Fountain Media is working with the Mothers to establish community rehabilitation centres. ‘We encourage communities to come up with their own solutions instead of relying on the government,’ writes journalist Johnson Mwakazi.

They are also tackling bribery in Kenyan commerce. Fountain Media offers publicity to businesses that refuse to pay bribes. Those who sign up are interviewed on TV, and the interviews have proved popular with viewers. So far over 500 businesses have signed up. And the community is an ever-present watchdog, ensuring these businesses do not backtrack on their pledge.

Bedan Mbugua

Then they turned to the universities, arranging debates on corruption. These debates also made good TV, and introduced Fountain Media to students with the skill and commitment to fight for integrity. Now a network is growing, and 300 young Kenyans who are fighting corruption meet every month with Fountain journalists.

Their latest venture is a national festival aimed at overcoming inter-ethnic tensions.

Journalists at Fountain Media

Winning debater at Kenyatta University

2,000 women rallied against ‘illicit brew’ in Meru

The conference brought together people dealing with urgent global challengesCREATORS OF PEACECreators of Peace is an international network of women – joined by men in some countries – working to strengthen peace through sharing life experiences in ‘peace circles’ and many other activities. International President Daphrose Barampama (right) described its work in Burundi, where it is helping Hutus and Tutsis to rebuild trust. Bintou Founè Samaké (See page 6) told of a recent workshop in Mali when 52 women from the north and south of the deeply-divided country heard what the northerners had endured under the rebel movement which took control in 2012. The workshop was supported by the Swiss Department for Foreign Affairs, Oxfam Novib and the Malian Institute of Research and Action for Peace.

IN THE MIDST OF CRISIS

UNITED NATIONS MEDIATION

Mediation plays a vital role in defusing tense situations and in resolving conflict. Enrico Formica, who is responsible for UN mediation in the Office of the Director General in Geneva, told of his experience of mediating in Guinea Bissau, South Sudan, Israel/Palestine and Yemen. Brendan McAllister of the UN Standby Team of Mediation Experts compared his work to that of a trapeze artist, in describing his observations on building trust in a situation of conflict.

A fuller account of their talks can be found at www.justgovernance.net

COMMITMENT OF THE WILLING

Last year a network was born. The Commitment of the Willing brings together Africans working for integrity in governance and sustainable development. They include Gita Goven, Chair of South Africa’s Sustainability Institute; Ekuru Aukot, who directed the Committee of Experts which developed the 2010 Kenyan Constitution, and Bedan Mbugua (See pg 9).Thirty of them met at Caux to plan joint initiatives across national boundaries, and to hear from experts such as Hans Herren, recipient of the World Food Prize.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Neil Buhne, Director of the UN Development Programme’s Geneva office, led a workshop on the Sustainable Development Goals, launched in September to deal with crucial concerns such as global warming.

Ekuru Aukot Hans Herren

Gita GovenMalians working to rebuild trust

Brendan McAllister

VIOLENT EXTREMISM – GETTING AT THE ROOT CAUSESHurera Akilu-Atta from Nigeria’s Office of National Security outlined the SAVE programme which she coordinates. This works with Imams, traditional leaders and communities, aiming to answer the hopelessness among young people in Northern Nigeria which makes them vulnerable to the appeal of extremism. Nigerian businessman Hamza Atta, said that the real problem was the failure of education in northern Nigeria, where many school lack even the most basic facilities.

Memory of humiliation

Civic and political leaders from Chad, Niger and Mali told of similar challenges, and there was intense discussion between the West Africans as they sought workable solutions.

Somali Member of Parliament Ali-Nur Hussein described the work of the NGO which he founded to rehabilitate former members of Al-Shabab. This NGO proved so effective that the Somali Government has taken it over and expanded it.

From the USA Joe Montville, formerly head of the State Department’s Near East Division, spoke on the moral responsibility of the West. A country does not easily recover from colonialism, he said. ‘Every individual, nation and religion craves recognition, acceptance and respect, and after centuries of insult and violence, the memory of humiliation in the Muslim world is strong. Then there is oil; the industrialised countries have little integrity in the way they ensure secure supplies.’

His concerns were echoed by another American, Professor Anjum Ali. ‘We in the West are reaping benefits from the exploitation of African countries and the status quo staying the way it is,’ she pointed out. ‘What are we in the West doing to help these countries get out of poverty, out of corruption? This is where we need to take action.’

The workshop was chaired by Guled Osman from Somalia, currently living in UK. Following the conference he wrote: ‘Six young Somali colleagues and I have formed an organisation to tackle the issue of empowering communities to overcome violent extremism. We aim to work with the Somali community, by hosting conferences and conducting research, to challenge the extremist narrative.’Ali-Nur Hussein MP,

SomaliaHurera Akilu-Atta, Nigeria

Joe Montville, USA

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Photo Credits include: CAUX-IofC Foundation

Initiatives of Change is a world-wide movement of people of diverse cultures and backgrounds who are working to transform society through change in human motives and behaviour, starting with their own.Vision: A just, peaceful and sustainable world to which everyone, responding to the call of conscience, makes their unique contribution.Mission: To inspire, equip and connect people to address world needs.

Focus AreasTrustbuilding: Social cohesion by building trust and reconciliation across divides.Ethical Leadership: Good governance at every level by developing a leadership culture based on moral integrity, compassion and selfless service.Sustainable living: Economic justice and environmental sustainability through transformation of motives and behaviour.

ApproachAn honest look at one’s own motives and behaviour is often the starting point of transformation. With its intergenerational, multicultural and interreligious diversity, IofC enables honest conversations in an open spirit. Many find that a regular practice of silent reflection gives access to a source of truth, creativity and inspiration.

The CAUX-Initiatives of Change Foundation’s vision is a just, peaceful and sustainable world in which people act from a sense of global interdependence and responsibility. Established in 1946, the Caux-IofC Foundation organizes and coordinates international and local conferences, seminars and training in Switzerland, primarily in its Conference Centre, the former Caux-Palace, bringing together a true diversity of people.

CAUX-IofC provides a safe and privileged space to inspire, equip and connect individuals, groups and organisations from around the globe to engage effectively and innovatively in the promotion of trust, ethical leadership, sustainable living and human security.

CAUX-IofC operates in line with its key approach of bringing global change through personal change and with its core values of absolute respect for human dignity, of truth, solidarity and care at every level of public or personal life.

Dialogue at Asia Plateau 2015

A Dialogue on Just Governancewill take place at Asia Plateau, Panchgani, India

12-16 February 2016

For further information seewww.in.iofc.org/JG

The next Caux conference on Just Governance for Human Security will take place 12-17 July 2016

See the conference website for further details:

www.justgovernance.net

Asia Plateau 2015