In the second of this summer’s regional NFPB events Friends from three Area Meetings gathered at Darlington Meeting House on 6th July 2024. The date and theme had been planned before the General Election announcement, but the result of that election two days previously provided a not-insignificant backdrop to the meeting.
Rethinking Security – the results are in
During the morning session, we welcomed Jo Frew, the Outreach Coordinator of Rethinking Security (RS). RS had been planning to publish in June (after delays earlier in the year) a substantive report from its three-year Alternative Security Review. With the election taking so much attention, this will probably now come out in September. However, Jo was able to share some of the key findings and themes from that report with Friends in Darlington, and there is already a considerable amount of material already available on the RS website.
Attendees were surprised to hear that results of a survey identified corruption, actions by the UK government and pandemics as the biggest threats to national security. Climate change and financial security were also important. Positive contributions to human security were a lot more important than state security to young people, we learned. On the other hand, the largest political parties had just finished several weeks of campaigning that often saw a commitment to nuclear weapons and to increased military spending being portrayed as proof of their security credentials.
Following this stimulating presentation, we discussed the implications of prioritising human security over national security in how we might engage with new MPs and the government, as well as the wider community. At the heart of the Human Security Strategy that is to be launched are some key principles, such as solidarity, accountability, sustainability and inclusivity. Participants were struck by the simple maxim that no-one is safe until we are all safe – in other words, if our safety is at the cost of others’, then such security is not sustainable.
Climate change and peace
The afternoon session focussed on links between climate-change and peace. Beginning with a video presentation that mapped out the very significant carbon-bootprint of military activities, we then went on to explore aspects of peace-building and resilience in the face of climate-change.
Responding to an invitation to name roles that can be played in building peace and resilience in our communities, the following were amongst those shared and discussed by participants: Prophets, reconcilers, listeners, advocates, mentors, trustees and treasurers, networkers, carers and creators. This opened up a wider discussion about how the ideas that had come up during the day could be taken back to Meetings, and how NFPB might provide further support – in particular, thinking about the first Global Week of Action for Peace and Climate Justice that will take place between 21–28 September 2024.
The day closed as it had begun, in quiet worship – followed by tea and biscuits. Many thanks to Darlington Meeting for hosting this event.
See also:
Peace and Climate Change – page on NFPB website
Scientists for Global Responsibility
Climate Justice and Peace – Quaker Council for European Affairs