Initiatives of Change - Caux Conferences Open with Focus on Security

Marty criticized Western security policies for transforming criminals into victims, arousing sympathy for them. As fires need oxygen, so the terrorist needs sympathy, he said. 'Injustice is terrorism’s main ally.’ He went on: ‘To fight terrorism, we must fight injustice.' Marty saluted the work done by the European Court of Human Rights which now defended the rights of 800 million citizens, and is building 'a common heritage of values'. He stressed the contribution of civil society and NGOs in supporting such institutions, insisting 'we are all responsible; we must all play our part.'

Kjørven deplored the confusion between symptoms and causes of insecurity. ‘Disempowerment and exclusion create the conditions that can lead to terrorism,’ he said. Two thirds of humanity, the majority of the poor, have no access to the rule of law – and so live in insecurity. Kjørven felt that a priority should be the empowerment of women, which would bring the best return on investment.

To read more about the round table discussion click here.

The Caux conferences run from 3 July to 17 August under the overall theme: 'Addressing the Root Causes of Human Insecurity'. The first conference, 'Global Servant Leadership: contributing to human security', 3-9 July, is run mainly by young professionals from Eastern Europe.

The Round Table was the first of a series of public events, running in addition to the main conferences. It came at the end of the 'official day', which has become a Caux tradition, when diplomats from Bern and Geneva, local and national authorities and neighbours are invited.

Further information on the International Caux Conferences 2008