some of the work of psychologists in mitigating violence in countries around the world. The

Transcription

1 Global Violence: Future Trends and Closing Remarks Peter Walker UN/NGO Representative International Council of Psychologists This presentation, covering many forms of violence, has provided an avenue for sharing some of the work of psychologists in mitigating violence in countries around the world. The panelists have discussed the interplay between violence, psychological consequences, mental health and well-being, and interventions as they affect attainment of many of the UN s MDGs. Finally, the panelists have proposed further collaboration with representatives of the UN and NGOs in order to attain relevant MDGs. They have three outcomes in mind, including the following: 1. To increase awareness of the complexities of violence and its psychological consequences on vulnerable populations; 2. To increase awareness of culturally sensitive psychological practices currently in use to prevent or mitigate global violence; and 3. To increase the collaboration among NGOs and pool resources to collectively prevent or mitigate global violence, using each NGO s area of expertise. I will briefly summarize the panelists comments: Dr. Juneau Gary, in her opening remarks, called our attention to the many forms of violence impacting vulnerable groups, pointing out the need to attend to victims psychosocial well-being, along with their basic need for food, water, shelter, and safety. She noted that the

2 UN and NGO communities do a good job in providing for victims basic needs but typically overlook psychosocial factors, especially those factors that promote resilience. Dr. Walter Reichman drew from the 6 th Annual Psychology Day at the UN in 2013, focusing on a broad perspective of global violence. This event addressed the antecedents, consequences, and prevention of violence throughout the lifespan. It is worth noting that the 2014 Psychology Day at the UN focused on psychology's contributions to sustainable development, including its challenges and solutions for a global agenda, with the sponsorship and participation of some UN Member States. Ms. Emily Dow focused our attention to the risks and consequences of aggressive parenting, called child abuse in some cultures. She gave us a striking example of how aggressive parenting styles produce negative and positive outcomes for a child s maturational development, based on one s cultural perspective. Dr. Janet Sigal discussed domestic violence and honor killings. These are clearly human rights violations and they relate to the UN s MDGs of (a) gender equity and empowering women and (b) maternal health and well-being. She concluded by offering numerous culturally sensitive treatment/intervention programs that focus on the victim and the perpetrator. Let me suggest that evidence-based research and paradigms from psychology, which, prevent or mitigate violence, are an under-utilized resource by representatives of UN organizations and NGOs. Her suggestions for interventions with a psychology foundation would be useful to include in the implementation of inter-disciplinary interventions. Dr. Neal Rubin connected the violence of climate change with compromised human rights of vulnerable peoples, pointing out the impact of sea level rise on island peoples in particular. He also called our attention to the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

3 Change (IPCC), specifically the recently released 5th Assessment Report (2013). The volume on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerabilities includes a chapter on Human Security. The panelists remarks are well aligned to attain the following UN s MDGs: MDG #3: Promoting gender equity and empowering women -- because honor killings, for instance, restrict women s independence within the family and community; MDG #4: Reducing child mortality -- because child abuse practices, for instance, can kill or maim children, making those who survive dependent on society for assistance; MDG #5: Improving maternal health -- because domestic violence, or its threat, hampers maternal health and psychological well being; and MDG #7 Ensuring environmental sustainability -- because shrinking natural resources, stemming from climate change, create an atmosphere of interpersonal, inter-clan, and/or inter-group violence over limited resources. This presentation may equally apply to some of the focus areas now under discussion by the UN General Assembly s Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals and the Post-2015 Agenda (Session 11). Specifically, the following focus areas are relevant: Focus Area 5: Gender equality and women s empowerment Focus Area 10: Climate change Focus Area 16: Creating peaceful and inclusive societies Future Trends As we look forward, we must be open minded about what incidents and behaviors get labeled as violent. In addition to the recognizable violent incidents of rape/sexual exploitation, boy soldiers, inter-clan/inter-group violence, LGBT-based abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking of girls, and child abuse of siblings or self, we must also begin to envision how

4 climate change contributes to violence. Specifically, we must become sensitive to how climate change contributes to violence as a precipitating factor (e.g., fighting over limited resources) and as a contributing factor (e.g., increased stress and poor coping skills caused by deprivation of nutrients or forced environmental migration that alters traditional practices). As for future directions, there is the opportunity for collaboration to apply interdisciplinary, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based behavior science toward improving human well-being as well as mitigating and preventing violence. When I focus on Dr. Sigal s treatment and intervention programs, many of which are evidence-based and culturally sensitive, I realize they are not quick solutions and they are not solely psychological interventions. Using her recommended interventions as a foundation for changing cultural attitudes, behaviors, and norms is a long term inter-disciplinary solution, which requires collaboration among a wide variety of NGOs and UN representatives with specific expertise. I can easily foresee psychologists collaborating on prevention and intervention programs for the next generation or so, with NGOs whose expertise might be in education, social services, law, human rights, medicine, or advocacy, among others. Additionally, I can foresee psychologists collaborating with representatives of UN organizations, such as UNICEF and UNIFEM, to support the human rights of victims and provide needed evidence-based intervention services to victims and perpetrators. Psychologists will be shaping the attitudes and behaviors of future generations by working with others to craft policies, practices, and programs that are humane, rooted in human rights, and attempt to stop violence. Conclusion In closing, let me focus your attention on the list of resources to follow. As an environmental psychologist, I have had a long-standing interest in sustainable development and

5 climate change. With respect to climate change, I want to highlight three documents on the list. First, there are two very useful UN University publications: (1) Sea Level Rise and the Vulnerability of Coastal Peoples and (2) Control, Adapt, or Flee. Both are well documented and offer extensive discussions associated with sea level rise. Additionally, I wish to focus your attention on the American Psychologist (2011) special issue on climate change. The authors have framed the discussion of climate change by addressing mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. All three documents are available for downloading from the web. In the end, all interested parties must be creative in and open to using inter-disciplinary resources, regardless of the discipline, to combat violence. The panelists have demonstrated the broad base of psychology to use evidence-based knowledge to combat global violence. It is our goal to have other disciplines join us in this battle.

6 References Anderson, N. (Ed.). (2011). Psychology and global climate change [Special issue]. American Psychologist. (2011). 66(4). Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2013). Climate change 2013: The physical science basis. [Contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on climate Change]. Retrieved from Oliver-Smith, A. (2009). Sea level rise and the vulnerability of coastal peoples: Responding to the local challenges of global climate change in the 21 st Century. Bonn, Germany: United Nations University-Institute for Environmental and Human Safety. Retrieved from Renaud, F., Bogardi, J.J., Dun, O., & Warner, K. (2007). Control, adapt or flee: How to face environmental migration? Bonn, Germany: United Nations University-Institute for Environmental and Human Safety. Retrieved from