LA PAIX DANS UN MONDE BRISE'

 La paix est possible 

dans un monde brisé?

Dans le livre « Cercando un Paese innocente », Pasquale Ferrara, directeur général des affaires politiques au ministère des Affaires étrangères et de la Coopération internationale, explique comment la guerre tend à mettre en avant deux attitudes polarisantes : le réalisme et le pacifisme. Ferrara suggère que ce n'est pas nous qui sont obligés de choisir : le réalisme utopique peut être le point de convergence entre les deux attitudes, et donc le point de départ d'une nouvelle manière de construire la paix - au Yémen, en Ukraine, au Soudan, en Palestine

- par Maria Barletta

« Est-ce le fou qui est le plus fou, ou le fou qui le suit ? » (Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars – Épisode VI – Un nouvel espoir). La question rhétorique d’un maître Jedi exilé a plus à voir avec notre monde qu’il n’y paraît, tout comme une citation pop a plus à voir avec un livre sur la géopolitique qu’elle ne le fait habituellement.

C’est ce qui rend différent le livre « Cercando un Paese innocente » (édité par Città Nuova) de Pasquale Ferrara, directeur général des affaires politiques au ministère des Affaires étrangères et de la Coopération internationale, avec le sous-titre « La paix est possible dans un monde en « frantumi” : la capacité de traiter toutes les questions géopolitiques brûlantes et controversées qui dominent notre présent non seulement avec la profondeur et l’acuité découlant d’une longue expérience diplomatique, mais aussi avec une curiosité intellectuelle contagieuse et une sensibilité humaine qui n’a pas peur de se référer à la délicatesse d’un poème de Montale, à l’universalité de Shakespeare, à la sagesse de Yoda. Même le titre emprunté à Ungaretti et l’épigraphe à Charlie Brown ne sont pas des ambitions littéraires ou des clins d’œil, mais les premiers signes de l’esprit audacieux et parfois à contre-courant des réflexions et des propositions avancées.

En plus de se mouvoir parmi les multiples problématiques (la tension croissante entre les puissances mondiales, les responsabilités de la mondialisation, les fissures dans l'ordre international...) qui composent l'état de polycrise dans lequel nous sommes plongés, presque comme dans un tableau d'Escher Sans issue, Ferrara s’intéresse particulièrement à la manière dont nous-mêmes, en tant que société et en tant qu’individus, réfléchissons à ces questions et à la manière dont nous imaginons – ou ne parvenons pas à imaginer – les résoudre. Un thème avant tout : la guerre, qui tend à mettre en avant deux attitudes polarisantes : le réalisme (lire le monde en termes de purs rapports de force) et le pacifisme (rejet de la violence et recherche, à tout prix ou presque, de solutions). ils y ont mis un terme au plus vite).

Le réalisme est souvent considéré comme l’attitude la plus mature et la plus rationnelle, tandis que le pacifisme est une illusion, une moquerie, au mieux une utopie. Mais tôt ou tard, il vaut la peine de se demander : si vous courez à une vitesse vertigineuse vers un précipice, celui qui essaie de ralentir est-il plus réaliste que celui qui continue tout droit, pensant peut-être que la chute ne fera pas de mal ? beaucoup ou que quelqu'un d'autre s'en sortira de toute façon ? pire ? En même temps, si la prudence est de mise dans l’évaluation des solutions de paix, rien n’est plus réaliste que de constater que la paix se fait toujours avec des ennemis – ce qui est considéré comme impensable devra se produire tôt ou tard.

Mais Ferrara fait plus que prendre parti : il suggère au contraire que nous n’avons pas à choisir, rappelant ainsi le réalisme utopique de Morten Tønnesen. Un changement radical du statu quo est souvent beaucoup plus difficile à concevoir que son maintien, mais ce qui est vraiment irréaliste, c'est de penser qu'une situation donnée est perpétuelle, indéfiniment soutenable : « un réaliste utopique est quelqu'un qui [...] a la capacité de se concentrer sur ce qui est, et de ne pas se concentrer sur ce qui est, et de ne pas se concentrer sur ce qui est, et de ne pas se concentrer sur ce qui est. « Le courage de lutter pour des idées et des États souhaitables (quelles que soient les perspectives à court terme) et qui a la conscience que le statu quo n’est qu’un phénomène passager. » Cela est encore plus vrai dans les situations de conflit, où il serait dans l’intérêt de la partie (la plus) offensée de penser à la paix, c’est-à-dire à l’avenir. Le réalisme utopique peut être le point de convergence entre les deux attitudes/alignements, et donc le point de départ d’une nouvelle manière de construire la paix – au Yémen, en Ukraine, au Soudan, en Palestine.

L’une des suggestions les plus fascinantes du livre est celle selon laquelle la distance entre la realpolitik et Gabriel García Márquez est aussi courte ou aussi large que nous le souhaitons, ou que nous le laissons être. Que le réalisme d'une certaine conception des relations internationales et le réalisme magique d'un prix Nobel de littérature puissent exister dans la même dimension peut paraître naïf seulement à ceux qui ne suivent pas attentivement les arguments de Ferrara, qui ne négligent pas les erreurs et les défauts de la ordre international, mais il ne permet pas aux schémas de pensée obtus ou cyniques d’inhiber la volonté de continuer à imaginer des solutions éthiques et efficaces.

Il s’avère que les lignes de fracture qui nous séparent et nous rendent si fragiles peuvent être franchies – voire comblées – par des personnes (en politique, en diplomatie, dans la société civile) animées par la participation, l’inquiétude, la bonne volonté, prêtes à s’exposer pour permettre que que la confiance mutuelle soit créée – d’où le dialogue, d’où la paix, d’où le salut.

Vita

UN-ONU - NEW GLOBAL THREATS REQUIRE NEW FORMS OF UNITY AND SOLIDARITY

In an interview with Vatican Media, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations speaks among other things of his gratitude to Pope Francis for supporting his appeal for a global cease fire.

By Andrea Monda

"The pandemic should be a wake-up call. Deadly global threats require a new unity and solidarity," António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations emphasizes in an exclusive interview with Vatican Media.

 Recently you made an appeal for peace in the world, a world affected by the pandemic. This initiative links up once again with those taken by Pope Francis – whom you have met at the end of last year, when you delivered a video message together – who keeps asking to cease all wars. You said: The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war.. Why, do you think, is it so difficult to get this message through?

First, I would like to renew my deep appreciation to Pope Francis for his support for my global ceasefire appeal and the work of the United Nations. His global engagement, compassion and calls for unity reaffirm the core values that guide our work: to reduce human suffering and promote human dignity.

When I launched the ceasefire appeal, my message to parties to conflict around the world was simple: fighting needs to stop so that we can focus on our shared enemy – COVID-19.

So far, the call has been endorsed by 115 Governments, regional organizations, more than 200 civil society groups as well as other religious leaders. Sixteen armed groups have pledged to end violence. Millions of people have also signed an on-line call for support.

But mistrust remains high, and it is difficult to turn these commitments into actions that make a difference in the lives of those impacted by conflict.

My special representatives and envoys are working tirelessly around the world, with my own direct involvement when necessary, to turn expressed intentions into effective cease-fires.

I continue to call on parties to conflict and on all those who can have influence on them, to place the health and safety of people first.

I would also like to mention another appeal I have made that I consider essential: an appeal for peace in the home. Across the globe, as the pandemic spreads, we are also witnessing an alarming increase in violence against women and girls.

I have asked Governments, civil society and all those who can help around the world to mobilize to better protect women. I have also appealed to religious leaders of every faith to unequivocally condemn all acts of violence against women and girls and to uphold the bedrock  principles of equality.

A few months ago, before the pandemic broke out, you said that fear is the best-selling brand. This is something which now, in these weeks, could be even more amplified. How, do you think, is it possible to fight the feelings of fear spreading among people, especially in these difficult times?

The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a global health emergency.

In recent weeks, there has been a surge of conspiracy theories and anti-foreigner sentiment. In some cases, journalists, health professionals, or human rights defenders have been targeted simply for doing their jobs.

From the very beginning of this crisis, I have been advocating for solidarity within societies and among countries. Our response must be based on human rights and human dignity.

I have also called on educational institutions to focus on digital literacy, and I have urged media, especially social media companies, to do much more to flag and remove racist, misogynist and other harmful content, in line with international human rights law.

Religious leaders have a crucial role to play to promote mutual respect in their communities and beyond. They are well-positioned to challenge inaccurate and harmful messages, and encourage all communities to promote non-violence and reject xenophobia, racism and all forms of intolerance.

Fear is certainly fostered by fake news, which, as you recently denounced, are spreading more and more. How is it possible to fight misinformation without risking to blot out fundamental freedoms and rights in the name of this battle

People around the world want to know what to do and where to turn for advice. Instead, they have to navigate an epidemic of misinformation that, at its worst, can put lives at risk.

I salute the journalists and others who are fact-checking the mountain of misleading stories and social media posts.

In support of these efforts, I have launched a UN Communications Response initiative, under the name Verified, aimed at getting accurate, factual information to people while encouraging solutions and solidarity as we move from crisis to recovery.   

Religious leaders also have a role to play to leverage their networks and communication capacities to support governments in promoting public health measures recommended by the World Health Organization— from physical distancing to good hygiene – and to dispel false information and rumors.

Among the groundless news that daily assail public opinion, currently there is a lot of criticism of UN agencies, as for example the World Health Organization (WHO). What is your opinion with regard to this?

As we mourn the lives lost to the virus, we despair that many more will follow, particularly in places least able to cope with a pandemic.

Looking back at how the pandemic unfolded, and at the international response, will be crucial. But, right now, the World Health Organization and the entire UN system are in a race against the clock to save lives.

I am particularly worried about the lack of adequate solidarity with developing countries -- both in equipping them to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and to address the dramatic economic and social impacts on the world’s poorest.

The World Health Organization, and the entire United Nations system have mobilized fully to save lives, stave off famine, ease the pain and plan for recovery.

We set out a U.S.$7.6 billion Global Humanitarian Response Plan for the most vulnerable populations, including refugees and internally displaced persons. Donors have generously pledged close to $1 billion so far and I continue my advocacy to ensure that this plan is fully funded.

Our country teams are working in coordination with Governments to mobilize funding, to assist health ministries on preparedness, and to support economic and social measures, from food security and home schooling to cash transfers and many others.

Our peace operations continue to carry out their important protection mandates, and to support peace and political processes.

The UN system network of supply chains has been placed at the disposal of developing countries, with millions of test kits, respirators and surgical masks having now reached more than 100 countries. We have set up solidarity flights to bring more supplies and workers to dozens of countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.  

And since the beginning, I have mobilized the expertise within the entire UN family to produce a series of reports and policy briefs to provide analysis and advice for an effective, coordinated response by the international community. (https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/un-secretary-general)

We are living in a time where attacks against multilateralism are multiplying. Do you think there is a need to strengthen people’s trust in international institutions? And how could this be done?

The collaboration and contribution of all States - including the most powerful- is essential to not only fight COVID‑19 but also to address the peace and security challenges we are facing. It is also essential to help create conditions for an effective recovery in the developed and developing world.

The virus has demonstrated our global fragility. And this fragility is not limited to our health systems. It affects all areas of our world and our institutions.

The fragility of coordinated global efforts is highlighted by our failed response to the climate crisis, by the ever-increasing risk of nuclear proliferation, by our inability to come together to better regulate the web.

The pandemic should be a wake-up call. Deadly global threats require a new unity and solidarity.

You have openly commended the European initiative aimed at developing a vaccine for Covid-19. However, finding a vaccine might tempt someone to take up a dominant position within the international community. How can we avoid this risk? And even before finding a vaccine, what can be done in order to test the treatments that have proven to be of some efficacy?

In an interconnected world, none of us is safe until all of us are safe.

This was, in a few words, the essence of my message at the launch of  “ACT Accelerator” – the global collaboration to speed up the development, production and equitable access to new COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.

This must be seen as a global public good. Not a vaccine or treatments for one country or one region or one-half of the world — but a vaccine and treatment that are affordable, safe, effective, easily-administered and universally available — for everyone, everywhere. This vaccine needs to be the people’s vaccine.

How can we avoid having first rank and second rank countries in this fight against the virus? At any rate, there is a danger that the pandemic will widen the gap between rich and poor. How can we avoid this happening?

The pandemic is exposing inequalities everywhere. Economic inequalities, disparities in access to health services and so much more.

Poverty could rise by 500 million people – the first increase in three decades.

We cannot allow this to happen and this is why I continue to advocate for a global relief package

amounting to at least 10 per cent of the global economy.

The most developed countries can do this with their own resources, and some have already begun to put in place such measures. But developing countries need massive and urgent support. 

The International Monetary Fund has already approved emergency financing to a first group of developing countries. The World Bank has indicated that with new and existing resources, it can provide $160 billion of financing over the next 15 months. The G20 has endorsed the suspension of debt service payments for the poorest countries. 

I fully appreciate these steps, which can protect people, jobs and development gains. But even this will not be sufficient and it will be important to consider additional measures, including debt relief, to avoid prolonged financial and economic crises. 

Some say that after this pandemic the world will never be the same again. What could the future of the United Nations be in tomorrow’s world?

The pandemic recovery brings opportunities to steer the world onto a safer, healthier, more sustainable and inclusive path. 

The inequalities and gaps in social protection that have been so painfully exposed will need to be addressed. We will also have an opportunity to place women and gender equality at the forefront to help build resilience to future shocks.

Recovery also needs to go hand-in-hand with climate action.

I have been calling on Governments to ensure that spending to revitalize economies should be used to invest in the future, not the past.

Taxpayers’ money should be used to accelerate the decarbonization of all aspects of our economy and privilege the creation of green jobs. Now is the time to put a price on carbon and for polluters to pay for their pollution. Financial institutions and investors must take climate risks fully into account. 

Our template remains the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Now is the time to be determined. Determined to defeat COVID-19 and to emerge from the crisis by building a better world for all.

Vatican News

" UNITY PREVAILS OVER CONFLICT! " Pope Francis on occasion of the G20 summit. "DIE EINHEIT WIEGGT MEHR ALS DER KONFLIKT".

LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

ON THE OCCASION OF THE G20 SUMMIT

[HAMBURG, 7-8 JULY 2017]

" ....... Time is greater than space.  The gravity, complexity and interconnection of world problems is such that there can be no immediate and completely satisfying solutions. Sadly, the migration crisis, which is inseparable from the issue of poverty and exacerbated by armed conflicts, is proof of this.  It is possible, though, to set in motion processes that can offer solutions that are progressive and not traumatic, and which can lead in relatively short order to free circulation and to a settlement of persons that would be to the advantage of all.  Nonetheless, this tension between space and time, between limit and fullness, requires an exactly contrary movement in the minds of government leaders and the powerful.  An effective solution, necessarily spread over time, will be possible only if the final objective of the process is clearly present in its planning.  In the minds and hearts of government leaders, and at every phase of the enactment of political measures, there is a need to give absolute priority to the poor, refugees, the suffering, evacuees and the excluded, without distinction of nation, race, religion or culture, and to reject armed conflicts.

At this point, I cannot fail to address to the Heads of State and of Government of the G20, and to the entire world community, a heartfelt appeal for the tragic situation in South Sudan, the Lake Chad basin, the Horn of Africa and Yemen, where thirty million people are lacking the food and water needed to survive.  A commitment to meet these situations with urgency and to provide immediately support to those peoples will be a sign of the seriousness and sincerity of the mid-term commitment to reforming the world economy and a guarantee of its sound development........ "

" ...... Die Zeit ist mehr wert als der Raum. Der Ernst, die Vielschichtigkeit und die wechselseitige Verbindung der weltweiten Probleme sind solcher Art, dass es für sie keine unmittelbaren und vollkommen zufriedenstellenden Lösungen gibt. Leider ist die Flüchtlingskrise, die vom Problem der Armut nicht zu trennen ist und durch bewaffnete Konflikte verschärft wird, ein Beweis dafür. Es ist hingegen möglich, Prozesse in Bewegung zu setzen, welche fortschreitende und nicht traumatisierende Lösungen bieten, die in verhältnismäßig kurzer Zeit zu einem freien Durchzug und zur Ansiedelung von Personen führen, was für alle von Vorteil ist. Diese Spannung zwischen Raum und Zeit, zwischen Begrenzung und Fülle erfordert jedoch eine genau gegensätzliche Bewegung im Denken der Regierenden und der Mächtigen. Eine wirksame Lösung, die sich notwendigerweise über einen Zeitraum erstreckt, wird nur möglich sein, wenn das Endziel des Prozesses bei seiner Planung klar vorgegeben ist. Es ist daher notwendig, dass im Verstand und im Herzen der Regierenden wie auch in jeder Phase der Umsetzung politischer Maßnahmen den Armen, den Flüchtlingen, den Leidenden, den Vertriebenen und den Ausgeschlossenen – ohne Unterschied von Nation, Volkszugehörigkeit, Religion oder Kultur – absoluter Vorrang eingeräumt wird und ebenso bewaffnete Konflikte abgelehnt werden.

An dieser Stelle kann ich nicht umhin, an die Staats- und Regierungschefs der G20 und an die ganze Weltgemeinschaft einen eindringlichen Appell zu richten hinsichtlich der tragischen Situation des Südsudans, des Tschadseebeckens, des Horns von Afrika und des Jemen, wo es dreißig Millionen Menschen gibt, die keine Nahrung und kein Wasser zum Überleben haben. Die dringende Aufgabe, sich diesen Situationen zu stellen und jenen Völkern unmittelbare Unterstützung zu geben, stellt ein Zeichen der Ernsthaftigkeit und der Aufrichtigkeit der Verpflichtung dar, mittelfristig die Weltwirtschaft zu reformieren. Zugleich ist es eine Gewähr für ihre gesunde Entwicklung...... "

" .... Il tempo è superiore allo spazio. La gravità, la complessità e l’interconnessione delle problematiche mondiali sono tali che non esistono soluzioni immediate e del tutto soddisfacenti. Purtroppo, il dramma delle migrazioni, inseparabile dalla povertà ed esacerbato dalle guerre, ne è una prova. E’ possibile invece mettere in moto processi che siano capaci di offrire soluzioni progressive e non traumatiche e di condurre, in tempi relativamente brevi, ad una libera circolazione e alla stabilità delle persone che siano vantaggiosi per tutti. Tuttavia, questa tensione tra spazio e tempo, tra limite e pienezza, richiede un movimento esattamente contrario nella coscienza dei governanti e dei potenti. Una efficace soluzione distesa necessariamente nel tempo sarà possibile solo se l’obiettivo finale del processo è chiaramente presente nella sua progettualità. Nei cuori e nelle menti dei governanti e in ognuna delle fasi d’attuazione delle misure politiche c’è bisogno di dare priorità assoluta ai poveri, ai profughi, ai sofferenti, agli sfollati e agli esclusi, senza distinzione di nazione, razza, religione o cultura, e di rigettare i conflitti armati.

A questo punto, non posso mancare di rivolgere ai Capi di Stato e di Governo del G20 e a tutta la comunità mondiale un accorato appello per la tragica situazione del Sud Sudan, del bacino del Lago Ciad, del Corno d’Africa e dello Yemen, dove ci sono 30 milioni di persone che non hanno cibo e acqua per sopravvivere. L’impegno per venire urgentemente incontro a queste situazioni e dare un immediato sostegno a quelle popolazioni sarà un segno della serietà e sincerità dell’impegno a medio termine per riformare l’economia mondiale ed una garanzia del suo efficace sviluppo..... "

Read: LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS   [ DE  - EN  - IT ]