Common Security – the way forward when our world order is failing

The world stands at a crossroads. The choice is between an existence based on confrontation, aggression and ecological disaster or one rooted in peace, sustainability and common security. Humanity faces the existential threats of nuclear war, climate collapse and pandemics.  

Our world order is up against severe challenges. The common systems and structures – needed to provide security, combat poverty and inequality and prevent human suffering – are inadequate, and frequently violated. The future of humanity depends on us fixing our struggling global order. 

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Olof Palme’s Independent Commission on Disarmament and Security Issues. Now Russian aggression against Ukraine is a reminder of what can happen when the world order fails. It is time to consider whether Palme’s concept of Common Security can help bring us back from the brink. 

The recently launched report, Common Security 2022, shows the way forward. A High-Level Advisory Commission, a diverse group of prominent people from every continent, has contributed its knowledge and broad experience and created a document that gives us a glimpse of a better world. 

The upcoming environmental conference Stockholm+50 is all about combining environmental action with the social goals of Agenda 2030. Focusing on the concept of common security can help the conference join the dots between the work for a peaceful world and the protection of our living environment. 

The webinar will be in English.

Panelists:

Margot Wallström, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sweden 

Cedric de Coning, Research Professor, NUPI, South Africa 

Anna Sundström, General Secretary, Olof Palme International Center, Sweden 

Moderator:

Jytte Guteland, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament

More on Stockholm+50

Read the Common Security report!

The webinar is co-hosted by Olof Palme International Center, Solidar, End Ecocide Sweden, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Foundation for European Progressive Studies, IPB and ITUC.