Why a Program Statement?

The earliest iterations of Global Action were focused on a  vision of what the architecture of the United Nations might look like, indeed should look like if it is to fulfill its responsibilities for international peace and security. The second (and enduring) iteration of the Global Action Program Statement was more compelling in the NGO world than in the diplomatic one, but it did robustly interrogate the world of weapons and security systems and posited a key role for the UN and related multilateral institutions in promoting peace and human security, a task which we acknowledge remains painfully elusive into this present moment.

Despite  limitations related to the preponderance of good ideas largely absent practical commitments, the Program Statement rightly sought to create a common framework for human security, one which blended justice and development related concerns with what might be recognized as more conventional security priorities.  

This Program Statement suffered a bit from its intensive referencing of the UN absent a detailed immersion in UN policies and priorities, an immersion which has, for better or worse, defined our own generational practice.  If we want to change how the UN does its business (and we do) it is important to know that “business” in some intimate detail. 

Preventing armed violence and ending war

The GAPW Program Statement, last revised in 2009, grounds the goal of conflict prevention in specific, integrated phases of policy and action, demonstrating in a practical and concrete way how we can move from an international system based on conflict and power relations to one based on law and multilateral institutions.

The Program Statement is broken into three broad categories:

1. Strengthening multilateral mean of resolving conflicts, protecting human rights, and preventing armed conflict.

2. Reducing national military forces through a phased process of disarmament along with state commitments to a policy of defensive defense. 

3. Supporting national peace and disarmament policies by helping to promote local initiatives to reduce the threat of armed conflict, protect civilians from mass violence, and ensure full participation by women in political life and peace policy.