Launch of GPPAC Publication

Reflections on Peace and Security in Northeast Asia

– Perspectives on the Ulaanbaatar Process

The publication Reflections on Peace and Security in Northeast Asia - Perspectives on the Ulaanbaatar Process was launched in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on August 29, on the occasion of the third meeting of the Ulaanbaatar Process, a civil society-led dialogue for peace and stability in Northeast Asia. The publication is a collection of essays which capture the diverse and uncompromised opinions, concerns, tensions and contradictions of a region in turmoil at the time of the 3rd Ulaanbaatar Process Meeting held on August 29–30, 2017.

Articles of the printed publication are made available online at https://medium.com/reflections-on-peace-and-security-in-northeast. Please visit this site. 

Reflections on Peace and Security in Northeast Asia - Perspectives on the Ulaanbaatar Process explores the contentious issue of nuclear weapons in the region, the current security climate on the Korean Peninsula which is frozen in a fragile armistice, as well the successes and challenges faced by non-governmental organizations in the context of peacebuilding in Northeast Asia. It features articles by the participants of the Ulaanbaatar Process; representatives of civil society from China, Japan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, the United States of America, the Russian Federation as well as Mongolia.

The Ulaanbaatar Process, launched by the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) in June, 2015, aims to support the creation of conditions of peace and stability in Northeast Asia through the promotion of greater civil society dialogue and interaction. It is hosted by Mongolian NGO Blue Banner in cooperation with GPPAC Northeast Asia, and with the support of the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The third Ulaanbaatar Process meeting provided an opportunity for sincere and open civil society dialogue on the current peace and security situation in Northeast Asia, and particularly the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. The previous two meetings, similarly held in Ulaanbaatar, also saw the participation of civil society representatives of all the Six Party Talks countries and Mongolia. 

For more information about the Ulaanbaatar Process, please visit the GPPAC Northeast Asia as well as Facebook page  https://www.peaceportal.org/web/ulaanbaatar-process/home

For more information on GPPAC, please visit http://www.gppac.net/.

<Photo from GPPAC NEA, Aug 29-30, 2017>

GPPAC, 동북아 평화와 안보에 대한 시민사회 시각을 담은 책자 발간

‘동북아 평화와 안보에 대한 고찰 – 울란바토르 프로세스의 관점’ 펴내

남‧북‧미‧일‧중‧러‧몽골 7개국 시민사회‧연구자 등의 입장 담겨

보도자료 [원문보기/다운로드]

2015년 6월GPPAC이 출범시킨 울란바토르 프로세스는 보다 많은 시민사회 대화와 상호작용을 통해 동북아의 평화와 안정을 위한 조건을 조성하도록 지원하는데 목표를 두고 있다. 이 회의는 GPPAC 동북아와 몽골 NGO인 블루배너가 몽골 외교부의 지원 하에 주관하고 있다.

이번에 열린 제 3회 울란바토르 프로세스 회의는 최근 동북아 상황 특히 한반도 위기와 관련해 시민사회 간의 열린 대화를 가능토록 기회를 제공하였다. 지난 두 차례의 회의 역시 울란바토르에서 개최되었는데 6자회담국과 몽골의 시민사회 대표들이 참석하였다.

 >>>> 발간된 글은 온라인에서 확인할 수 있다. https://medium.com/reflections-on-peace-and-security-in-northeast

‘동북아 평화와 안보에 대한 고찰 – 울란바토르 프로세스의 관점’

 

목차

 

들어가며

안젤리 나란드란 (편집자, GPPAC 동북아 사무국) - 울란바토르 프로세스, 대화의 습관 만들기

 

1장. 동북아 안보와 비핵지대를 향한 비전

엔자이한 잘갈사이칸 (블루배너) – 재앙을 예방하기 :비핵국가의 핵 외교 (몽골의 사례)

아나스타샤 바라니코바 (해양국립대학교) - 동북아비핵지대 그리고 한반도 핵위기의 평화로운 해결

스즈키 타츠지로 (나가사키대학교 핵무기철폐연구센터, RECNA) - 동북아비핵지대를 향한 포괄적인 접근법 : 일본의 핵에 대한 삼중 딜레마 풀기

미약마 도브친 (블루배너) - 핵없는 세계에 대한 몽골의 기여 그리고 핵 에너지 안보의 문제점

 

2장. 한반도 안보 이슈와 지역 안정에의 영향

이태호 (참여연대) - 남한 정권 교체와 한반도 핵‧미사일 갈등 해결 가능성

루시 로버츠 (미국친우봉사회, AFSC) - AFSC의 동북아 공동안보 비전 : 한반도의 평화와 인간안보 관련 이슈들

수 하오 (중국외교대학교) - 북한의 핵‧전략 무기 개발 관련 중국 역할의 평가와 전망

조선평화옹호전국민족위원회(KNPC) - 동북아의 맥락과 한반도에 지속되는 전쟁 

 

3장. 동북아 평화구축에서 시민사회 대화와 다자트랙 외교

안김정애 (평화를만드는여성회) - 한반도 안보에 대한 여성들의 관점

니암다바 라브단도르 (블루배너) - 동북아 관계의 최근 상황 : 청년 관점에서

피터 반 투이즐 (GPPAC 전 사무총장) - 동북아 안보 : 동남아의 역할은 무엇인가?

메리 조이스 (GPPAC 동북아, 피스보트) - 대화의 습관 길들이기 : 동북아 평화구축에서 시민사회의 역할 

 

에필로그

가와사키 아키라 (ICAN, 피스보트) - 핵무기폐기조약과 동북아

문의 참여연대 평화군축센터 02-723-4250 [email protected]

Statement by the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC)

Welcoming the Singapore Summit

A Step Towards a Peaceful, Nuclear-Free Korean Peninsula

June 12, 2018

As a global network of civil society peacebuilding organisations, the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) welcomes today's historic summit and subsequent agreement in Singapore by President Donald Trump of the United States and Chairman Kim Jong Un of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The points laid out in the agreement, relating to the establishment of new US-DPRK relations, the building of a lasting peace regime, and the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula are important, positive steps forward to achieving a peaceful, nuclear-free Northeast Asia.

The lack of a peace treaty to formally end the Korean War, and the ongoing nuclear threats on the Korean Peninsula, continue to endanger the lives and human security of not only the Korean people, but also the entire Northeast Asian region and indeed the world. It is for this very reason that GPPAC and its member organisations in Northeast Asia, including in Korea, have continued for decades to undertake multilayered initiatives to promote dialogue, exchange and trust building for peace on the Korean Peninsula, including the GPPAC Northeast Asia-led Ulaanbaatar Process.

We applaud the diplomatic efforts which made today's summit possible, including the leadership demonstrated by South Korean President Moon Jae-in, supported by the civil society which brought him into power through the Candlelight Revolution. This is indeed an example of the prevention of armed conflict, with the support of civil society – vitally needed in light of the long-running tensions on the Korean Peninsula, involving even the risk of a catastrophic nuclear war.

At the same time, we recognize that today's meeting is but a first step, and that a long process must follow. Concrete steps must now be made to implement both the Sentosa Agreement and the April 27 Inter-Korean Panmunjeom Declaration. To this end, we welcome both Chairman Kim’s expressing his strong will to achieve denuclearization, and President Trump's announcement to end war games on the Korean Peninsula. We encourage all parties to cease any potential acts of provocation. Further trust must be built in order to ensure that this agreement will be upheld, and the peace process will be lasting, and we urge the international community to extend their full support to this end.

GPPAC also emphasises the importance of civil society involvement in the ongoing Korean peace process. We encourage the involved parties to develop mechanisms to ensure such meaningful engagement, and to heed the various recommendations being presented from civil society already. This includes those regarding concrete steps to create a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, the importance of women's meaningful inclusion in the talks, private sector participation in regional and international economic cooperation, and the easing of restrictions regarding humanitarian work and civil exchange.

The “promotion of peace, prosperity, and the security of the Korean Peninsula” is indeed vital for peace globally. We call on the entire international community to join efforts to support the implementation of today's agreement and past agreements. Furthermore, this should be taken a step further, towards the establishment of a nuclear-weapons free zone in Northeast Asia, a regional mechanism for peace and security, and the comprehensive resolution of lingering Cold War structures in the region. Today's positive momentum must be sustained into the future. Based on the historic efforts of civil society, we pledge to do our utmost to work together with all relevant parties to promote further dialogue and confidence building, and to take active steps towards the creation of a peaceful, nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia, and world.

GPPAC calls for an inclusive, people-centered peacebuilding response to the COVID-19 pandemic

6 April 2020

As peacebuilders from around the world, united as the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), we stand in solidarity with all those affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The pandemic is causing physical and psychological suffering, as people and communities experience illness, loss and economic hardship, as well as isolation, fear, and despair. It is not just a challenge to human health, but to human dignity, and the values that we hold dearest as peacebuilders. 

At a time like this, strengthening peacebuilding, human security and global cooperation as well as creating innovative, responsive, inclusive and multilateral conflict prevention strategies is more essential than ever.

We call upon governments, civil society, businesses, communities and individuals to put inclusive peace and human rights at the centre of all responses to the outbreak.

We call for:

• A global ceasefire, to prevent a multiplication of suffering as the pandemic and armed violence intersect.


• A unified response, without discrimination, racism, xenophobia and political division; and with protection of vulnerable and marginalised groups, including those now at greater risk of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.


• Protection of civic space and human rights, this health crisis must not be used as an excuse to erode them.


• International solidarity, including economic solidarity, in response to this crisis.  


• A transformative vision of a post-COVID-19 world, which centres people, prevention, peace, cooperation and human security.

A global ceasefire

We add our voices to the call of UN Secretary-General António Guterres for a global ceasefire. We are dedicated to preventing and ending violent conflict, as its staggering human cost is always unacceptable, and will be further exacerbated by the virus. Its impact will be greatest on societies where healthcare systems have collapsed or are already overburdened by war; on those who are fleeing or living in refugee camps, where physical distancing is near impossible, and access to clean water, good sanitation and healthcare is limited.

As peacebuilders, we are here to help support dialogue and mediation, and to seek a peaceful way forward together. We call for a permanent lockdown on war!

Unity over division

Governments, political, religious and community leaders, media and civil society: Do not allow this pandemic to be used as an excuse for xenophobia, racism, discrimination, stigmatisation, toxic nationalism, or perpetuation of international political divisions. 

No-one is to blame. There is an urgent need for us to come together and work across divides to limit the spread and impact of the virus.

We call on governments to respond to the crisis in a non-discriminatory way, ensuring that support reaches all parts of society, in rural areas and cities, and includes marginalised and vulnerable groups. This includes the protection of those at increased risk of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence; and the protection of health workers. Equally important is the need to ensure that communication surrounding the disease and measures to address it is accurate, equal and accessible, taking into account language, literacy and disabilities, as well as access to communications media.

We encourage regional inter-governmental organisations to convene virtual dialogues and to invite civil society leaders, including women peacebuilders, young people, traditional indigenous leaders and faith community leaders to provide recommendations on response and recovery. Now, more than ever, we need a multi-stakeholder approach.

Protect human rights and civic space

We support temporary measures to slow or halt the spread of COVID-19. However, we call on governments in the strongest possible terms to respect human rights and to not abuse this moment to restrict civil rights and civic space or further militarize communities.

• Do not violate people’s rights to privacy.


• Address the spread of hate speech and false health information, but do not broadly restrict freedom of expression and speech and access to information.


• Do not limit freedom of peaceful assembly any longer than is strictly necessary to halt this virus.


• Do not use a state of emergency to bypass democratically elected bodies in policy making and legislation unrelated to the disease.


• If events where civil society ordinarily has a voice are cancelled or taken online, ensure that civil society voices can still be heard.

Any measures taken should be necessary, proportional, and time bound. Emergency powers must have clear limitations and oversight and grievance mechanisms in place.

The UN and regional organizations must work to ensure that the response to the pandemic is progressive, peace-oriented and inclusive rather than authoritarian and exclusive.

As civil society, we are here to help limit the spread of the disease and its consequences: We can help convey accurate information, prevent panic, support community cohesion and assist in humanitarian response. We can contribute to a recovery strategy. We can help assess the human rights and conflict impact of measures taken. Do not silence us.

Solidarity at every level - but don’t divert funding

We stand in solidarity with all those affected around the world. We have seen and applaud beautiful examples of solidarity in communities, in countries and between nations. We call on governments, especially those of wealthy countries, to extend that solidarity across the world.

This pandemic impacts us all. However, in poorer countries the effects will be more intense, multiplied by weaker healthcare systems, malnutrition, lack of access to water, sanitation and information as well as a lack of opportunity for many to stay home without going hungry. The poor will also be hit in wealthy nations, for many of the same reasons.

We call on governments and wealthy nations in particular to address these inequalities on principle, but also because this virus is not restricted or confined by borders or gates: We need a global pandemic “Marshall Plan” to protect people, economies, and our collective future. A unified, coordinated strategy and pooling of resources is needed for just and inclusive recovery. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an integrated framework to help rebuild, and particularly to address the needs of marginalised and vulnerable populations more quickly and comprehensively.

At the same time, we call on donors and donor countries not to divert funds from other issues: it remains as important as ever to build peace, address gender inequality, protect human rights, mitigate the climate crisis, fight hunger, and much more. Instead, lets create new aid packages to halt this pandemic, protect the vulnerable from its economic effects, and bolster healthcare systems around the world. 

Local peacebuilders are first responders. Their work is critical and should be supported. We also call on donors to be flexible in allowing grantees to adjust their programmes to respond to this crisis, and to extend grants as a result of many planned activities having to be postponed.

A moment of opportunity

We have a shared responsibility to shape the world we want to live in once this pandemic has passed. As a community of peacebuilders we have bigger dreams than a return to the pre-pandemic status quo. As humanity, we have a chance:

To end wars and build peace.

To contribute to achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals.

To (re)build the public good and public institutions.

To recommit to international cooperation for the benefit of humankind, and advance reform of the international institutional architecture, including the UN system.

To realise a true shift to prevention – in healthcare, in conflict, in creating healthy environments and more – and the transformative approach societies deserve.

To refocus on what is most important to us.

To protect and expand human rights and civic space.

To show that human instinct leans towards kindness and caring, not hatred and violence.

To support people and the planet over money and markets.

To recognise our critical workers - those in healthcare, teaching, cleaning, food production and more - with better wages and conditions.

To build our collective infrastructures for peace and resilience to this and future challenges.

To be able to look back one day and say: 2020 was the year we chose to change the whole world for the good.

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