In July 2018, I participated in the Caux conferences for the second year in a row. This time, I was part of the organizing team for the conference on Just Governance. I worked effectively as technical support.
My tasks gave me a privileged access to different people, participants or resource people. Those fortuitous encounters were an opportunity for me to share my experiences, learn from others and work at fostering human security through networking and discussing the best ways of tackling conflicts, division, radicalism and other challenges.
Just Governance for Human Security 2018 …
The conference Just Governance for Human Security was a response to the call for action for global citizens to commit and take their responsibilities regarding the social and economic questions that threaten communities in the entire world, and to work together to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). For five days, over 230 representatives from 75 countries reflected on their own role in achieving the SDGs.
Her Excellency Aja Fatoumatta Jallow-Tambajang, the former vice-president of Gambia, set the tone for the forum in her opening address. Not only did she challenge each participant to define their individual role in the implementation of the SDGs in their communities, she also committed to playing her part in promoting just governance for human security.
The 2018 forum created a space for sharing, learning and deciding which actions to undertake to improve human security. Several participatory workshops were on offer, including conflict resolution skills, dialogue across differences, non violent action, advocacy, and resource planning. A visit to a family-run vineyard was organized, with conversations on environmental sustainability and food security. In parallel, the second cohort of participants to the training program, human security, received their certificate after spending a week developing a deeper understanding of questions about human security.
Other speakers commented on contextual rural poverty in Africa, emphasizing the role of education, not only as an objective, but also as “tool to address and solve questions related to other SDGs”.
These personal stories were an opportunity for representatives to share how they have implemented the pillars of human security and other SDGs and how those questions can be discussed in local communities or even at the state level to create change.
My participation in the Caux Forum on Just Governance was more than an opportunity. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their knowledge of human security in a world currently dealing with human security and inter-community life challenges. Caux fosters and inspires in terms of establishing connections within an international group, on top of promoting a better understanding of deeper questions about human security.
Ferdinand Djayerombe Vaweka
Associate Director JPIC for the CRC
President of Antennes de Paix, Montreal