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10% of defence expenditure used to address underlying causes of terrorism |
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Score
87%
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34 votes,
Feasibility
76%
Originality
75%
Humour
21% |
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We believe that the war on terror has increased the threat of terrorism by trying to impose rigid solutions onto fluid problems. This has resulted in disregard not only for human life, but also for culture, tradition and international law.
The coalition countries may have had honourable intentions, but we believe that the heavy human cost of two unjustified wars in as many years has mainly served to increase the hatred and misunderstanding felt by all parties. We believe that the war on terror approaches problems principally to satisfy its participant countries' interests - this leads them to short-sighted decisions which rarely benefit the majority.
For too long it has been assumed that opposition to the war on terror has been an unfounded voice in the dark. It has been seen more as a resistance to violence than a constructive solution. With this campaign we put forward not only an objection to the war on terror, but a credible alternative, which is firmly rooted in fact and tried and tested methods.
'What if' constitutes a major shift in spending from reaction to prevention. Terrorism is a human affliction: we must address the economic, religious, political and social reasons behind terrorism, rather than the end result. Micro social issues that affect us all can lead to terrorism on a macro level. Simply treating terrorism with a heavy dose of bombing, as if it were a disease, does not address its underlying causes or its capacity to regenerate. Prevention is better than retrospective treatment.
'What if' requires a 10% diversion of G8 defence expenditure into a UN development programme. This would act impartially, and independently to address the underlying causes of terror.
Understanding does not lie in blame. Peaceful solutions cannot be based on aggression. A stable future cannot come from war.
With this campaign we ask the world what if...
Will you join us?
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This idea was a response to a BBC website article on International Social Innovations Day, which you can see HERE!
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