This webinar series accompanies the launch of Rethinking Security’s Human Security Strategy and will challenge the established, bipartisan consensus about what security is and how it is best created. It will set out alternatives, rooted in human and common security, exploring the importance of reclaiming security from militarism and what a difference it would make for global, community and individual security.
The Westminster consensus on ‘national security’ needs urgent interrogation. Not only has it failed to create a more equal, just and secure world, but it is manifestly failing even on its own terms of preserving an international order dominated by UK allies and their interests. It is increasingly unsustainable, not least in contributing to the breakdown of the ecological systems on which our food, health and economic security depend.
Watch the webinars that have taken place below and find out and register for upcoming ones here:
Next Webinar….
Wednesday 6th December, 6.00-7.00pm. Register here
How do climate justice and global economics relate to national security? Can a cooperative approach to human and planetary security be achieved internationally? What are the dangers with military security if this is not achieved?
As world leaders meet at COP28, this webinar will interrogate some of the assumptions and deadly impacts of national ‘security’ and consider what needs to change in international relations in order to meet challenges such as climate breakdown through cooperation and mutuality, rather than competition.
Speakers: Beatriz Arnal Calvo (Exec committee member of WILPF in the UK and Spanish branches), Nick Buxton (Knowledge Hub Coordinator and TNI), Tahir Aziz (Senior Advisor on South Asia at Conciliation Resources), Elizabeth Minor (Advisor for Article 36)
Webinar 3
Wednesday 10th January, 6.00 – 7.00pm. Register Here
The UK government has made choices to take a hard (and in some cases militarised) approach to ‘security’ across a number of policy areas within the UK that have now become equally part of the security apparatus as military responses overseas. At the same time, it has reduced investment in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
With those at the sharp end of security policy, this webinar will explore questions such as what this means for communities who are identified as security threats? How a change in policy help to overcome the exclusion felt by these communities? What does it look like in other parts of the world? How does this link with activism for traditional ‘peace’ issues?
Overcoming exclusion means building solidarity and we will hear from speakers what this could look like in the UK and beyond.
Speakers: Loraine Mponela (Migrant Rights Activist, former chair of both CARAG and Status Now, and Poet), Layla Aitlhadj (Director, Prevent Watch), Reem Abu-Hayyeh (Racial Justice Campaigner, Amnesty International UK), and more
Webinar 4
Wednesday 7th February, 6.00-7.00pm. Register here
Poverty, ill-health, food and energy insecurity are increasingly normalised in British society. These issues are all affected by national policies that prioritise the security and position of the ‘state’ rather than people and planet. A security strategy centred on the needs of people and planet would take account of how policy affected our daily lives within the UK and beyond. Find out more from practitioners about what investing in a secure, healthy society looks like and discuss what we have learned over the last few years about the importance of this kind of security.
Speakers: Sarah Lasoye (Transforming Peace & Security’ Campaigns and Policy Lead, Medact), Detmer Kremer (Policy, Advocacy and Communications Officer, GAPS), others tbc
Watch the previous webinars in this series here:
