The central NGOs within the larger No Bases Network do not have consultative status with the Economic and Social Council in the United Nations. The World Peace Council has roster consultative status, which only gives them limited access to the United Nations proceedings, but can serve nonetheless as a partner for the No Bases Network. It is unclear, to what extent the No Bases Network has sought access to the UN. While linking their global agenda to the UN mission of peace and security, the No Bases Network has not directly pitched their agenda to UN agencies.
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) focuses on security and disarmament issues, which plays an important role in the No Bases framework of peace, security and disarmament. UNIDIR characterizes itself as the bridge between NGOs, the research community and UN member states. UNIDIR covers a variety of issues through its research projects, including women and disarmament, explosive weapons, arms trade, nuclear disarmament, and humanitarian concerns in disarmament.
It is unclear to what extent UNIDIR is involved directly with studying adverse effects of foreign bases. UNIDIR's approach, partly at least, is characterized by an attempt to reframe disarmament as a humanitarian issue and link it to the greater human security framework. Foreign bases as such are not tackled, but the No Bases Network or rather one of its members within the larger network (namely, peace organizations) could attempt to gain access to UNIDIR, as it relies on NGOs for information and perspectives, particularly in the field.
The disarmament frame could become powerful for the No Bases network, as it is directly connected to a UN agency.
The Geneva Forum, one of UNIDIR's central activities, brings together UN personnel, NGOs and academics to "build agendas" around emerging issues in arms control and disarmament and can serve as a tool for the NO Bases Network to voice their concerns.
A project launched by the Bonn International Center for Conversion that publishes on the impact of war and military spending on human development, is part of the Geneva forum's activities and is related to the issue of military spending. The reports conclude that military spending leads to less aid promised needed in countries for significant development. The report thus concluded that military spending is indirectly detrimental to human development.
This can be linked to the presence of military foreign bases, which can be regarded as a double-burden on the poor countries that are a) dependent on aid income, and b) suffer under the negative consequences of foreign military bases in their countries. If the No Bases Network is not able to connect with the UN agency directly, this would allow them to link to a research think tank that the UNIDIR views as part of the agency's research partners.
What are the connections between peace groups in the larger No Bases Network and UN agencies?
No comments:
Post a Comment