To address COVID, climate and the ecological emergencies we must move from an outmoded model of national security towards human security. Event organised by Peace & Justice.

• Professor Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University and President of the Movement for the Abolition of War.
• Professor Jenny Pearce, Latin America and Caribbean Centre (LACC). London School of Economics.
• Moderator: Brian Larkin, Peace & Justice Coordinator

Either join at 6pm for the Peace & Justice AGM, or from 6.30pm for the talks and discussion.  

6:30 – 6:50pm Keynote: Paul Rogers

To address COVID, climate and the ecological emergencies we must move from an outmoded model of national security towards human security

This year the UK increased military spending by about 10%, the biggest increase since the Korean War. It plans to build 80 new nuclear warheads while continuing to supply arms to Saudi Arabia and cutting aid to Yemen by half. Globally, military spending is over $1.8 Trillion, while $1.2 Trillion is needed to ensure we reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions. And wealthy nations, who also spend the most on weapons, are failing to commit the funds needed to ensure that people in the poorest countries receive COVID19 vaccinations.

Isn’t it time to cut funding to the military and prioritize human security and a future for life on earth instead? With the UK hosting COP26 in Glasgow in November, shouldn’t the UK lead the way to a shift from the failed model of military security toward real human security and a just green recovery from COVID and the climate and ecological crises?

Response: Prof Jenny Pearce

Rethinking Security as a Means to Reduce not Reproduce Violence

In her monograph Politics without Violence? Jenny Pearce asks: “As climate change differentially impacts on the globe, will violence be the way the privileged protect themselves from the human struggle that climate change will mean?” Indeed, while recognising the common global threat to security posed by climate change, in “Global Britain”, the Integrated Review of Security, Defense and Foreign Policy, with its increases in military spending and push toward greater force projection, we are already seeing this. Professor Pearce will speak on how peace building is impeded by a focus on militarist solutions to security, with specific reference to Central America, particularly Columbia.