While defence budgets continue to grow, investment in international cooperation, climate action, conflict prevention and peacebuilding has been cut. Meanwhile, the number of armed conflicts has grown to 65 – the highest number since WWII.
We know from working alongside local peacebuilders that preventing conflict is not only possible – it is effective. Every day, local people are bringing communities together and reducing violence in some of the world’s most volatile places. Yet their work receives only a fraction of the investment it needs.
And it’s not just budget cuts that impact peacebuilders. The world’s largest powers, like the UK, are growing their militaries and nuclear arsenals, increasing the global arms trade. This increases tensions, and causes death and destruction, creating further instability. It enables atrocities and undoes progress. While solving none of the underlying causes of conflict, such as poverty, inequality and climate breakdown.
It’s not just us who want to build a more secure, resilient and peaceful world. Polling by Rethinking Security shows us that the UK public do not see “security” as just military spending. Instead their concerns are on day-to-day issues like affordability and health, while many still want a bigger focus on climate action and international cooperation.
