The Future of Peace Summit: How International Exchanges are building peace between different civilizations

 

People all around the world tend to see other countries through its citizens. International volunteers are representatives of their respective countries. Volunteers’ interaction with communities shapes their opinion about their respective countries. A few days back when I attended the Future of Peace Summit, the most interesting part of the summit for me were stories of various Peace Corps volunteers. When I heard the story of a Peace Corps volunteer, who served 30 years back in rural Afghanistan and is still remembered by the community elder who inquired about him from the visiting US Ambassador, I was deeply moved by it. As Atlas Corps fellows, serving here in the US we all want to be remembered in good words by our host organizations and other people with whom we interact on a regular basis.

International exchange is also another way of breaking stereotypes and building bridges between different cultures. Clash of civilizations, as theorized by Samuel Huntington, can best be prevented by dialogue among different civilizations. Lack of exposure creates a number of misconceptions that can only be removed through increased contact. This is why Volunteer exchange is one of the finest policy actions to foster international peace and security. The international community also recognized Volunteerism as an important tool for peace and development and called for its integration in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The story of another Peace Corps Volunteer - who after losing all his family in bloodshed in South Sudan escaped to Kenya and finally came to the US from his refugee camp as a young boy - was also very inspiring. This young volunteer was afraid of Muslims as he lost his family in a violent conflict between Muslims and Christians in South Sudan. In order to overcome his fear, he requested to be sent to a Muslim country and subsequently he was posted to Azerbaijan, where he developed such a good bond with the community that he not only extended his stay there but also returned to Azerbaijan after the end of his volunteer service.

What Atlas Corps is doing is also phenomenal; bringing emerging global leaders from around the world and placing them with US non-profits for 9-18 months is building bridges between the US and 76 countries, which the fellows represent. Connections, friendships and bonds that we build during our fellowship here will stay forever and transferred from one generation to another. These exchanges will break stereotypes and develop people to people contact, which is far more sustainable than government to government contact. Volunteer exchange also supports track II diplomacy that foster International peace and security as enshrined in the UN charter.

 

 

Note: The post is also published at: http://bit.ly/29zjGGG

My First Month into the Best Global Changemakers Fellowship Program

Three months back, I read a piece in Huffington post (http://huff.to/28YprP4) that included Atlas Corps in the list of top five fellowship programs to jumpstart one’s journey as a Global Changemaker. As someone about to join Atlas Corps Class 21, I was curious as to what made Atlas Corps so special to be included in such a small and selective list, while keeping various other programs out. After spending a month here in Washington DC, I can now testify to the verdict of this particular post.

Atlas Corps Class 21

Atlas Corps Class 21

Atlas Corps Fellows

Right after our arrival here as Fellows from Atlas Corps Class 21, we went through two weeks of rigorous orientation and Global Leadership lab (GLL) immersion sessions. On the surface these two events look pretty standard but given that fact that Delloite (http://bit.ly/1xKfqqA) conducts the GLL Immersion sessions, adds great value to them. Also, the orientation sessions significantly help fellows to adjust here in the US, sensitizing us of various cultural and linguistic differences.

Brookings Institute

Building Bridges Coalition: 10^th Anniversary Forum

After the first two weeks, when fellows join their Host Organizations the learning journey and contact with Atlas Corps doesn’t cease, rather it is strengthened through representing Atlas Corps in various high profile events. In my particular case, I had the privilege to attend, World Bank Global Youth Forum; The Future of Peace Summit; Building Bridges Coalition: 10^th Anniversary Forum; Social Innovation Summit; and USIP Global perspectives Session: Youth, Peace and Security. Also, I am the only lucky fellow from Class 21 who joined the Graduate Certificate Program in Inclusive Security at the SIT Graduate Institute and that too on a full scholarship.

World Bank HQ

World Bank Global Youth Forum

Now, many of you may be thinking that this is NOT humanly possible to take part in so many activities and high profile events with in a short span of one month and that too in a completely new country, where I just moved in from South East Asia. Some of you may be thinking that I don’t really have a social life, when I am doing multiple things at the same time. Well, as it turns out that not only I have a social life, in which I spend quality time with my four amazing housemates but I also serve full-time with my wonderful host organization i.e., Creative Associates International (http://bit.ly/1xSxEaN). During this short month, my host organization also interviewed all Atlas Corps Fellows and will shortly release a video sharing our distinct journeys bring us all here at Creative.

US Institute of Peace



with UN Secretary General's Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi

I always wanted to test my limits and see the impact in a highly demanding environment; Atlas Corps provided me the opportunity and I snapped it up. This also leads to my testimony affirming the verdict of Huffington post piece that included Altas Corps amongst the top five fellowships to jumpstart one’s journey as a Global Changemaker. Serving with US non-profits in happening cities like Washington DC and New York and representing Atlas Corps in several high profile events distinguishes Atlas Corps and bring it to the top five fellowships to jumpstart one’s global changemaker journey.

As the Founder and CEO of Atlas Corps, Scott Beale rightly said, “Talent is universally distributed but opportunity is not”; Atlas Corps has provided us with an opportunity to explore a wealth of opportunities during our 9-18 months fellowship here in the US. Now, it depends on us how we make the most out of it.

Lao-Tzu said that “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”; I have taken a leap of faith and taken the first step by challenging myself and joining the Atlas Corps fellowship. I have 11 more months to make the maximum out of this amazing opportunity and continue my journey as a Global Changemaker.

The Future of Peace Summit

Interview at Creative Associates International

P.S. The piece was originally written for Atlas Corps blogs and is available at: http://bit.ly/28X9RVB 

My First Month into the Best Global Changemakers Fellowship Program

Three months back, I read a piece in Huffington post (http://huff.to/28YprP4) that included Atlas Corps in the list of top five fellowship programs to jumpstart one’s journey as a Global Changemaker. As someone about to join Atlas Corps Class 21, I was curious as to what made Atlas Corps so special to be included in such a small and selective list, while keeping various other programs out. After spending a month here in Washington DC, I can now testify to the verdict of this particular post.

Atlas Corps Class 21

Atlas Corps Class 21

Atlas Corps Fellows

Right after our arrival here as Fellows from Atlas Corps Class 21, we went through two weeks of rigorous orientation and Global Leadership lab (GLL) immersion sessions. On the surface these two events look pretty standard but given that fact that Delloite (http://bit.ly/1xKfqqA) conducts the GLL Immersion sessions, adds great value to them. Also, the orientation sessions significantly help fellows to adjust here in the US, sensitizing us of various cultural and linguistic differences.

Brookings Institute

Building Bridges Coalition: 10^th Anniversary Forum

After the first two weeks, when fellows join their Host Organizations the learning journey and contact with Atlas Corps doesn’t cease, rather it is strengthened through representing Atlas Corps in various high profile events. In my particular case, I had the privilege to attend, World Bank Global Youth Forum; The Future of Peace Summit; Building Bridges Coalition: 10^th Anniversary Forum; Social Innovation Summit; and USIP Global perspectives Session: Youth, Peace and Security. Also, I am the only lucky fellow from Class 21 who joined the Graduate Certificate Program in Inclusive Security at the SIT Graduate Institute and that too on a full scholarship.

World Bank HQ

World Bank Global Youth Forum

Now, many of you may be thinking that this is NOT humanly possible to take part in so many activities and high profile events with in a short span of one month and that too in a completely new country, where I just moved in from South East Asia. Some of you may be thinking that I don’t really have a social life, when I am doing multiple things at the same time. Well, as it turns out that not only I have a social life, in which I spend quality time with my four amazing housemates but I also serve full-time with my wonderful host organization i.e., Creative Associates International (http://bit.ly/1xSxEaN). During this short month, my host organization also interviewed all Atlas Corps Fellows and will shortly release a video sharing our distinct journeys bring us all here at Creative.

US Institute of Peace



with UN Secretary General's Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi

I always wanted to test my limits and see the impact in a highly demanding environment; Atlas Corps provided me the opportunity and I snapped it up. This also leads to my testimony affirming the verdict of Huffington post piece that included Altas Corps amongst the top five fellowships to jumpstart one’s journey as a Global Changemaker. Serving with US non-profits in happening cities like Washington DC and New York and representing Atlas Corps in several high profile events distinguishes Atlas Corps and bring it to the top five fellowships to jumpstart one’s global changemaker journey.

As the Founder and CEO of Atlas Corps, Scott Beale rightly said, “Talent is universally distributed but opportunity is not”; Atlas Corps has provided us with an opportunity to explore a wealth of opportunities during our 9-18 months fellowship here in the US. Now, it depends on us how we make the most out of it.

Lao-Tzu said that “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”; I have taken a leap of faith and taken the first step by challenging myself and joining the Atlas Corps fellowship. I have 11 more months to make the maximum out of this amazing opportunity and continue my journey as a Global Changemaker.

The Future of Peace Summit

Interview at Creative Associates International

P.S. The piece was originally written for Atlas Corps blogs and is available at: http://bit.ly/28X9RVB

Rising Tensions between Turkey and Syria; and a Possible Military Intervention in Syria

Last month, Turkey invoked the Article IV of the Atlantic charter that stipulates: “The parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened”, and called on a meeting of the NATO member states, to discuss its response to the shooting down of one of its warplanes by Syrian forces over the Mediterranean. It was important for Turkey to invoke article 4 before proceeding to article V of the Atlantic Charter that calls for a collective self-defense as enshrined in the article 51 of the UN Charter. The meeting finished with a unanimous declaration condemning the Syrian aggression and pledging solidarity with Turkey. The persistence of tensions between Turkey and Syria might pave the way for a long-standing demand of some of the Western countries to militarily intervene in Syria. Considering the precarious security situation in the Middle-East and North Africa, a military intervention in Syria will destabilize the already volatile region. Libya is still coping with a civil war and a government that fails to exercise effective control over its territories. The role of NATO - which is a defensive military alliance - has already been widely criticized due to its offensive role in Libya. Military intervention in Syria may also result in the rise of Islamists in addition to a protracted civil war.

The international community is facing a dilemma; on one hand they are blamed for their inaction to protect the civilians from the massacre at the hands of the Assad regime, and on the other hand they are afraid that Syria might follow the course of Libya; a protracted civil war; mass-migration; and no effective government. The invocation of Article V of the Atlantic treaty along with the article 51 (Self-defense) of the UN charter gives a way-out to the WEST to intervene without a Chapter VII resolution of the UN Security Council. Keeping in mind the Russia’s unconditional support to the Assad’s regime and the failure of the Annan plan, this scenario could be provide the only possible legal option for a military intervention in Syria. Despite the legality of military intervention, the repercussions of the intervention are not very bright, which might impede a quick decision. Sooner or later, a military intervention in Syria is inevitable.

The transforming role of Turkey is also very important. Turkey restrained from using force last years when nine of its citizens were killed by Israeli military forces during the flotilla incident. Turkey also refused to provide logistics and passage to the US, during the occupation of Iraq. In case of Syria, Turkey has been a very vocal critique of the Assad regime; Turkey was the first country to organize a meeting of the Syrian opposition in Istanbul. The reaction of Syria is also not very positive; the decision to conduct military exercises next to Turkish border, while Turkish forces are taking an aggressive posture, has the potential to further deteriorate the situation. The situation could have been better, if Syria could have rendered a sincere apology.

 The recent statement by the French President François Hollande – that he will not rule out a possibility of a military intervention in Syria – also shows the increasing willingness of the international community to intervene in Syria on humanitarian grounds. With the strong opposition of Russia and China the invocation of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is least likely to be possible. Hence any future skirmish between Turkey and Syria will provide an opportunity for a NATO led military intervention in Syria without a UNSC resolution under chapter VII.

* The article was originally written for online publication Tandem Post, and it was published on July 24, 2012.

Azerbaijan and the Challenges to Global Warming

Global warming and rising sea-levels is a serious threat to many Island states such as Maldives that will quickly disappear from the face of earth, with the current level of emissions. The average temperature of the earth's surface has risen by 0.6 degrees C since the late 1800s. It is expected to increase by another 1.4 to 5.8 degrees C by the year 2100. The 1990s appear to have been the warmest decade of the last Millennium, and 1998 the warmest year. Over a decade ago, most countries joined an international treaty -- the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -- to begin to consider what can be done to reduce global warming and to cope with whatever temperature increases are inevitable. As a follow-up, a number of nations have approved an addition to the treaty: the Kyoto Protocol, which has more powerful (and legally binding) measures.

The entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) provides Azerbaijan with new opportunities for reducing its emissions of greenhouse gases, mobilizing resources for environmentally-friendly technologies and achieving other sustainable development objectives.

Azerbaijan is a country with serious environmental challenges, from endangered species to industrial pollution to basic issues of water supply and safety. As a post-Soviet country, public awareness about issues such as environmental conservation and sustainable development is limited. Although the government have initiated some projects on environment but those projects have yet to create an impact on ground. There are a number of initiatives on environmental dialogue but they have failed to translate in to any concrete actions.

Azerbaijan is also one of the largest emitters of green house gases in the region. The booming oil industry and the cheap availability of hydrocarbons give an incentive to buy big cars and to generate electricity by using oil. There is a dire need to shift means of production towards renewable sources such as solar, wind, geo-thermal, and hydro and such an effort needs a firm commitment from the government.

Arab Spring and its Implications for Israeli Security

The recent political developments in the Middle East have grave consequences for Israeli security. Israeli security is becoming more vulnerable with the incidence of Arab Spring and the rise of hostile regimes in its neighborhood.

With the advent of Arab Spring and falling of dictators, Israel’s friends are also decreasing in its neighborhood. With the fall of Mubarek in Egypt, Israel lost one of its closest allies in the region, who used to supply 40 percent of its natural gas needs. After the fall of Mubarek, Israeli gas supply has been sabotaged a number of times by the post-Mubarek Islamists. The burning of Israeli embassy in Cairo by a violent mob manifests the public sentiment about Israel in Egypt. This also puts the energy security of Israel in jeopardy.

The relations between the Israel and Lebanon were hostile after the 2006 war and now Lebanon also have a territorial dispute with Israel to delimit sea boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean. This dispute has escalated into a geopolitical conflict, with the discovery of Leviathan oil and gas field in the eastern Mediterranean; Lebanon claims that part of the Leviathan gas field lay in Lebanese territorial waters in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), to which the Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman retorted, “We won’t give an inch.”

The relations between Israel and Syria are also hostile, with a major dispute over the occupation of Golan Heights by Israel. Diplomatic ties have not been established, and the countries have fought four major wars, in 1948, 1967, 1973 and 1982. After the possible fall of Assad regime the bilateral relations are likely to further deteriorate, with the possible rise of Islamists.

Israeli-Turkish relations were already low over the Israeli gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, when they further deteriorated after nine of Turkish citizens were killed by Israeli military forces during the flotilla incident. The tensions could have been diffused, had Israel rendered a sincere apology for the loss of life but Israel’s adamancy resulted in severing of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The increased level of hostility because of the rise of Islamists, coupled with the struggle for control over critical energy resources in the Levantine Basin, might lead to another Arab-Israeli war; and this time Turkey might not stay neutral in the war. Israel has to show some flexibility to overcome its international isolation by reproaching to its Moderate neighbors like Turkey. Turkey as a regional power in the Middle East can help ease tensions on the Israeli security by mediating Israel-Palestine conflict, as well as conflicts between Israel and its increasingly hostile neighbors.

* The piece was originally written for Tandem Post and it is also available at:
http://www.tandempost.com/yazar/4786-khurram-kazi-arab-spring-and-its-implications-for-israeli-secur.html

Is the ground for a military intervention laid in Syria?

Turkey has called on a meeting of the NATO member states on the coming Tuesday, to discuss its response to the shooting down of one of its warplanes by Syrian forces over the Mediterranean. Ankara has invoked the Article IV of the Atlantic charter that stipulates: “The parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened”. This may be a first step of invoking article V of the Atlantic Charter that calls for a collective self-defense as enshrined in the article 51 of the UN Charter. This may pave the way for a long-standing demand of some of the Western countries to militarily intervene in Syria. Considering the precarious security situation in the Middle-East and North Africa, a military intervention in Syria may destabilize the already volatile region. Libya is still coping with a civil war and a government that fails to exercise effective control over its territories. The role of NATO - which is a defensive military alliance - has already been widely criticized due to its offensive role in Libya. Military intervention in Syria may also result in the rise of Islamists in addition to a protracted civil war.

The international community is facing a dilemma: on one hand they are blamed for their inaction to protect the civilians from the massacre at the hands of the Assad regime; and on the other hand they are afraid that Syria may follow the course of Libya; a protracted civil war; mass-migration; and no effective government. This is indeed a tough call for the NATO members. The invocation of Article V of the Atlantic treaty along with the article 51 (Self-defense) of the UN charter gives a way-out to the WEST to intervene without a Chapter VII resolution of the UN Security Council. Keeping in mind the Russia’s unconditional support to the Assad’s regime and the failure of the Annan plan, this scenario could provide the only possible legal option for a military intervention in Syria. Despite the legality of military intervention, the repercussions of the intervention are not very bright, which might impede a quick decision. Sooner or later, a military intervention in Syria is inevitable.

The transforming role of Turkey is also very important. Turkey restrained from using force last years when nine of its citizens were killed by the Israeli military forces during the flotilla incident. Turkey also refused to provide passage to the US, during the occupation of Iraq. In case of Syria, Turkey has been a very vocal critique of the Assad regime; Turkey was the first country to organize a meeting of the Syrian opposition in Istanbul. Public opinion in favor of a military intervention is increasing with the rising death toll of the Syrian population. The recent statement by the French President François Hollande – that he will not rule out a possibility of a military intervention in Syria – also shows the increasing willingness of the international community to intervene in Syria on humanitarian grounds. With the strong opposition of Russia and China the invocation of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is least likely to be possible. Hence the recent incident gives an opportunity to militarily intervene without a UNSC resolution under chapter VII. Whatever the NATO member states decide in their meeting on the coming Tuesday, will determine the pace of political change in Middle-East; and it will not be an easy decision.