This commentary has been made available to JYOTI by the UNDP to mark UN Day, October 24, 2011
During these same two days, more than 3,000 people are expected to lose their lives to armed violence all across the world. The imperative to act decisively is clear.
The economic cost of violence is sobering. It is literally reversing development—
destroying livelihoods, wrecking infrastructure, reducing foreign direct investment, stunting economic growth, and inhibiting achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. In many countries insecurity is also diverting public resources from education and health towards law enforcement.
The question, as ever, is “what can be done?” With global economic challenges affecting us all, we need to ensure that our development dollars and francs are spent wisely.
On 31 October and 1 November, Ministers from around the world will gather in Geneva for the Second Review Conference on the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development. The Declaration supports states and civil society to achieve measurable reductions in the global burden of armed violence by 2015, and beyond.
During these same two days, more than 3,000 people are expected to lose their lives to armed violence all across the world. The imperative to act decisively is clear.
The economic cost of violence is sobering. It is literally reversing development—
destroying livelihoods, wrecking infrastructure, reducing foreign direct investment, stunting economic growth, and inhibiting achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. In many countries insecurity is also diverting public resources from education and health towards law enforcement.
The question, as ever, is “what can be done?” With global economic challenges affecting us all, we need to ensure that our development dollars and francs are spent wisely.
We can take solace from the fact that good steps have already been taken by violence affected states, by donor states through the OECD-DAC’s Armed Violence Reduction Programming Approach, and by the UN through the Secretary General’s articulation of a common UN position on the promotion of development through the reduction and prevention of armed violence.
The upcoming High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness that will take place in Busan, Korea, a month from now will further highlight this crucial issue. 2000 delegates from all over the world will get together to review global progress on impact and achieving value for money from development aid.
By understanding and addressing the sources of violence, and by investing in prevention, early warning and early response capabilities, we will be able to avert conflict and violence and save lives and resources.
Education has a significant role to play in preventing conflict and violence. Countries with high levels of primary education enrolment generally have low levels of violence – and, similarly, children who are deprived of education are more likely to turn to a life of conflict. Education must be part of any effort to address violence.
We are also aware that violence is often a symptom of a breakdown in the rule of law, and more broadly in state-society relations. A more just and equitable world is one which will be more stable and secure.
By understanding and addressing the sources of violence, and by investing in prevention, early warning and early response capabilities, we will be able to avert conflict and violence and save lives and resources.
Education has a significant role to play in preventing conflict and violence. Countries with high levels of primary education enrolment generally have low levels of violence – and, similarly, children who are deprived of education are more likely to turn to a life of conflict. Education must be part of any effort to address violence.
We are also aware that violence is often a symptom of a breakdown in the rule of law, and more broadly in state-society relations. A more just and equitable world is one which will be more stable and secure.
Recent events in the Arab states remind us that economic and political exclusion can be a combustible combination. When wealth is shared, not only are societies and nations more prosperous and just, but they are also less violent. Inequality and violence are inextricably linked. It will require a firm understanding of the needs of the insecure, as well as the necessary tools and the political will, to undo cycles of violence and despair.
As a result of a number of initiatives around the world, among them the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, countries are increasingly taking steps to tackle conditions which are conducive to armed violence, whether that is through the provision of better policing, an expansion of access to justice, or the development of education systems which promote inclusion, tolerance and citizenship.
As a result of a number of initiatives around the world, among them the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, countries are increasingly taking steps to tackle conditions which are conducive to armed violence, whether that is through the provision of better policing, an expansion of access to justice, or the development of education systems which promote inclusion, tolerance and citizenship.
The work underway has become much more than small arms control or supporting community policing, although these remain vital. It now targets income inequalities and structural unemployment. It reduces social exclusion and promotes social justice. Finally, it extends universal education.
Switzerland and UNDP are committed to resilient, stable nations with empowered citizens. That is only achievable when opportunities are shared and conflicts are managed.
It is important for developing countries and donors to understand the drivers of violence, and incorporate violence reduction targets in their development strategies. Armed violence cannot be reduced without bringing together development, the rule of law, and social cohesion.
It is important for developing countries and donors to understand the drivers of violence, and incorporate violence reduction targets in their development strategies. Armed violence cannot be reduced without bringing together development, the rule of law, and social cohesion.
Toward this end, UNDP and Switzerland, together with many other actors in development co-operation, have gained practical experience during the last ten years in supporting the development and implementation of violence reduction and rule of law strategies all over the world.
We are also working with a number of UN agencies on joint programmes which combine different fields of expertise, such as health, urban development, and disarmament, in order to maximize the impact and coherence of our interventions. Switzerland and UNDP urge donors and governments to support armed violence reduction programmes, in an effort to ensure that the precious funds spent on development each year are not undermined by violence.
Today, we are calling on the signatory states to the Geneva Declaration to strongly endorse a set of measures which commit them to tangible and measurable reductions in violence, through tested practices which restore dignity, build livelihoods, and make development truly sustainable.
Micheline Calmy-Rey
President, of the Swiss Confederation
Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Helen Clark
Administrator,
United Nations Development Programme
Today, we are calling on the signatory states to the Geneva Declaration to strongly endorse a set of measures which commit them to tangible and measurable reductions in violence, through tested practices which restore dignity, build livelihoods, and make development truly sustainable.
Micheline Calmy-Rey
President, of the Swiss Confederation
Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Helen Clark
Administrator,
United Nations Development Programme
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