Peace in Northeast Asia 2014

The Role of Dialogue and Understanding Towards a De-Escalation in the Korean Peninsula and East Asia

UPF - SWITZERLAND
OCTOBER 31, 2014 - UNHQ GENEVA  

Northeast Asia Peace Initiative

Women's Federation for World Peace- Europe and the Universal Peace Federation in Europe co-sponsored a forum on "The Role of Dialogue and Understanding Towards a De-Escalation on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia" at the Palais des Nations (UN headquarters) in Geneva on Oct. 31, 2014.

Among the topics discussed was a proposal by South Korea to build a large regional UN complex inside the demilitarized zone that divides North and South Korea. The concept was raised informally by South Korea's President Park Guen-hye at the UN General Assembly in September. A more detailed proposal was presented by provincial and city officials at the one-day peace and security conference in Geneva.

Session 3, entitled "Opportunities for cooperation and development in the region: Calling on governments, UN and civil society" was chaired by Mrs. Carolyn Handschin, Director of WFWP International Office for UN Relations and WFWPI Vice President for Europe. The proceedings have been recorded by UPF Europe and are available on Vimeo.

Session III - Peace building models: from prevention to transformation Session Chair: Carolyn M. Handschin, President WFWPI Europe & Director Office for UN Ms. Madeleine Rees, President Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and former Head of Women’s Rights and Gender Unit OHCHR Mr. Willy Fautre, President, Human rights without Frontiers (HRWF), Belgium Maj. Gen.(ret.) Adrien Evéquoz, former Head of the Swiss Delegation in the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) at Panmunjom (DMZ) Dr. Joong Hyun Pak, President International Network for Korean Peninsula Peace, (INKPP) Seoul, ROK Dr. Nicolas Schmitt, Institute of Federalism, University of Fribourg, Switzerland

Asian Review published a report about the conference written by Humphrey Hawksley, speaker during the 4th Session. Additional information about the conference is available at the UPF website.