Swords to Ploughshares Ireland (StoP) hosted an online public meeting on “Human and Ecological Security: an Alternative to War & Militarism” on Wednesday, November 9 2022. The speakers were Diana Francis, British peace activist and author, and John Maguire, StoP member and member of the board of Afri (Action from Ireland). John Lannon of StoP and Shannonwatch moderated the discussion.

 

The dominant narrative about security characterises it as a military or state-based process preoccupied with political and economic power. This militarised approach to security is causing widespread human suffering and environmental destruction for the benefit of a small elite with a vested interest in perpetuating militarism.

 

We are calling for a new vision of human and ecological security that challenges this current preoccupation with military security. Human and ecological security that meets real human needs and protects the planet can form the basis of an active and constructive use of Irish neutrality as a central part of Irish foreign policy. 

 

Diana Francis is a lifelong peace campaigner in Britain who has spent many years supporting people who were trying to address violent social and political conflict in different parts of the world, acting as a facilitator, trainer, mediator and accompanier. She has written several books based on her experience. She is a founding member of Rethinking Security and, having now retired from travel, puts all her time into campaigning in Britain. 

 

John Maguire is Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University College Cork, and a board member of Afri (Action from Ireland). He is the author of Defending Peace (Cork University Press 2002) and, with Joe Noonan, of Maastricht and Neutrality (People First/Meitheal 1992). The event was organised in partnership with Afri (Action from Ireland) and INNATE (Irish Network for Nonviolent Action, Training and Education)