World Peace (Notes for Solutions)

World Peace (Notes for Solutions)

21st August 2015, IST (it's probably still the 20th of Aug. on the extreme western reaches of the map!)

1. Regulation of human uses of space and outer space

Space and outer space are being utilized, and are on the brink of being utilized for a number of human-initiated purposes.

It is currently urgent to ensure that these uses prioritize concerns of Human Rights and Sustainable Development (an appropriately interpreted idea of sustainable development, since the term is said to be widely misused at present).

Areas of concern in these contexts:

electro-magnetic disturbances and human rights in the context of autism etc.;

outer-space, space and human-introduced environmental pollution such as space debris;

the need for regulation and transparency in connection with the military uses of space and artificial satellites (apparently: weather creation; remote neural monitoring of humans and other surveillance techniques).

Areas of opportunity in these contexts:

trans-national and multi-national co-operation for the peaceful uses of space, using satellites where relevant and through processes of democratic consultation;

the potential for information communication technology for development to be made universally accessible for the welfare of all of humanity.

2. LOCAL GOVERNMENT/S, RULE OF LAW AND MULTI-TRACK DIPLOMACY

Towards acknowledging the Unwritten Earth Constitution, while according various forms of recognition (ranging from cultural to ceremonial or adjudicatory presences, depending on the quality of democracy and/or governance) to cultural figures in areas hitherto not recognized by the United Nations and the ‘international community’.

Hundred-percent planetary coverage is of relevance, especially in the contexts of Environment and Biological Diversity (including the human rights of trans-national communities such as nomads, fisher-folk and others). It is therefore of utmost importance to deliberate on how to factor in even non-recognized nations and other such areas of conflict, into the planet’s environmental planning.

An example of how to take this forward, is to bring about culturally and politically-arrived-at solutions, and by eventually using legal instruments to consolidate these.

While trade played a key role in the previous century (the 1900s), and the following decade, to bring once-warring nations together, the present juncture points towards the need (and the opportunity), to channel the forces of globalization towards equalizing the imbalances that have come to be a part of the economic globalization agenda, which has more than served its purpose by way of having manifested as a market-driven, capitalistic monolith, creating conflicts and human rights violations of its own.

While there already exist civil-society groups and initiatives that work on social causes across boundaries, as well as religious and cultural organizations, the peace-winning role of royalty and ex-royalty should not be underestimated, and should be encouraged in appropriate measure, keeping the ideals of equality, justice, liberty and humanity at the helm. In this context, various creative solutions need to be explored for various regions of the planet where conflicts or ambiguity persist.

For example, in the context of India and her neighbouring countries, an assessment of the progression in democratic practices, since independence, of erstwhile tribal chiefs who, because their remote but richly biodiverse areas, were not under colonial rule, but had economic treaties with colonial powers, and who merged with India, would be most useful.

The goodwill that many from amongst this section of so-called royal society enjoy amongst their people (even if we say so ourselves!) as well as across borders, should be harnessed to create harmony amongst the peoples of the earth.

One would not be surprised if Her Majesty, the Queen of England, would be pleased to lend to Mr Modi, the Prime Minister of India, the Kohinoor diamond that her folks borrowed from the royals of the subcontinent, with conditions on how to make it the centre-piece of a registered cultural society or conglomeration, under the jurisdictional authority of India’s Central Administrative Tribunal (unless, of course, all countries and peoples concerned amend their constitutions to make it possible for them, along with other figures such as sportspeople, to be represented in their upper houses of parliament – that would be truly lovely).

Co-ordinating with, or dialoguing with political parties at appropriate (or informal) fora is crucial to the process of interfacing with areas that are not recognized by governments. However, in the true spirit of democracy, such co-ordination would need to be with the entire range of existing political parties (if any), in such areas. The informal fora would be provided by those who have the goodwill, outreach, historical connect, approval or possibly even the indifference of the population-at-large.

The potential for using the rights-based domestic legislation pertaining to forests, biodiversity, water, and other natural resources in synch with international treaties and conventions and bilateral treaties pertaining to the same, must be tapped into.

3. GLOBAL ECONOMY TO BE REWORKED AT THE MACRO LEVEL SO THAT RESOURCE USE IS ALIGNED TO APPROPRIATELY UNDERSTOOD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Clearly, the planet has reached a tipping-point which calls for workable solutions for all quarters, as opposed to the ideological rigidity of the Capitalists.

Much of this is being attended to by emerging trends it the global economy. It is for world leaders and planners to recognize the opportunity to use this juncture of the planet’s decision-making, to make bold, macro-level decisions and admit that nuclear energy is not a clean source of energy, and to nudge the world economy away from civil nuclear energy in the power sector. This is of immediate priority, even as fossil-fuels are being phased out.

Clean alternative energy, particularly solar and off-shore wind energy appear to be the most workable solutions.

Similarly, the goal of universal nuclear disarmament must not be lost sight of. In fact, countries like the USA should be urged to cap their nuclear war-heads, while countries like China should be dissuaded from using nuclear-powered submarines and other forms of civil nuclear energy. Russia should be prevented from participating, in any way, in the setting up of civil nuclear plants in the Asia region.

While e-commerce appears to be a way forward for consumers and producers worldwide, consumer rights and e-commerce need to be addressed on a priority basis, as does Net Neutrality.

4. TRANSPARENCY IN EXISTING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

From the scores of writings that are available in the public domain, it is pertinent for citizens to ask (and to have the right to know) what kinds of scientific discoveries have been made, and applied to technological research and production, and which of these are in use, from the point of view of Human Rights related to Surveillance.

An attempt to reduce the entire debate pertaining to this topic, to mean only the Right to Privacy actually dodges the main issues involved: the human rights that stand to be violated due to the methods of surveillance and interrogation techniques ranging from the use of Remote Neural Monitoring to various other forms of mass surveillance.

If governmental agencies use these covert methods, it is a matter of grave concern for citizens. If non-governmental actors have access to such technologies, it is of equal concern. The existence of these methods of investigation need to be publicised so that the populace at large is in a position to comprehend what many (including, possibly, themselves) are being, or might be subjected to.

While the use of such technologies is objectionable, if governments and others are covertly using these technologies, they should desist.

All research related to the High Sciences should be made public and promoted, but only within the framework of human rights and sustainable development.

5. STATUS AND PROGRESS OF GLOBAL INTER-FAITH DIALOGUES/CONVERSATIONS

It is essential to include, into this conversation, those who do not belong to any ‘recognized’ world religion. This would include two categories of people:

First: those communities or families who belong to “pre-religious” tribes or groups that have not taken up or embraced or converted to any world religion.

 Second: those individuals who wish to choose their own religion for various reasons, but who then might stand to lose their rights to inheritance of the property of the family of their origin.

Third: those who profess no faith, non-believers, agnostics, atheists, scientologists (unless scientology is a recognized world religion).

As we know, there are inter-faith meetings which do serve to bridge the gap amongst nations and peoples, and often, it is the moderates within these groups, that bring about solutions.

One would recommend that the best practices of each of these categories of people are honoured within the parameters of the letter and spirit of the Constitution of India.