Global security and development are two major topics of common concern for all countries in the world in these times with unprecedented changes. What are the connotations of security and development? How to achieve global/regional security and sustainable development? How could each country contribute to global security and development?
The 3rd USPIR (Union of Schools of Politics and International Relations) Dean’s Forum on Global Security and Development in a Transforming World: Challenge and Response was held online on November 11.
Chen Zhimin, vice president of Fudan University, delivered welcome remarks at the forum. He pointed out global security and global development are both facing great challenges and uncertainties in today’s world. Like-minded institutes of political and international studies should set up more platforms like USPIR in order to make their contribution to the course of peace and development in the world. He hoped members of USPIR could join hands to carry out more research, develop more joint courses, and offer more faculty/student exchange programs. Fudan will make its education and research more relevant to the global efforts towards sustainable development with all its global partners.
Su Changhe, dean of School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University, said we are facing great challenges and uncertainties in global security and global development in today’s world. China’s Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative reflect its efforts to promote sustainable development and peace in the world. In his speech, Su analyzed the origins of global insecurity from aspects of system, structure, behavior and evaluated the existing global security models. He pointed out the principle of global security should be determined by taking into account the new concept of security, and we should further promote security development in international systems, organizational structures and multilateral cooperation.
Sompong Sanguanbun, dean of the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, Rangsit University, Thailand, pointed out security is the key to development in this transforming world. Countries in the world need to be self-restraint and patient in the face of challenges and uncertainties. He said the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has achieved satisfactory results and promoted regional security and development, and he expected countries along the route to further strengthen cooperation in academic cooperation, business ties, poverty eradication and other areas in the future.
Bui Thanh Nam, director of Academic Affairs Department of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam, pointed out the world is faced with multiple challenges, such as inflation, COVID-19 and wars. Countries in the world should facilitate the establishment of international organizations to promote economic cooperation, enhance mutual trust between countries and further abide by international rules. At the same time, developed and developing countries should jointly address security issues so as to promote peace, stability and development of the world.
Thida Aung, head of Department of International Relations, University of Yangon, Myanmar, stressed poverty eradication is an important challenge for developing countries in their quest for security and development. However, frequent natural disasters, backward infrastructure and lack of educational resources have hindered the development of developing countries. BRI has boosted infrastructure construction, brought educational resources and job opportunities to countries along the route. She looked forward to innovative ways of cooperation among the countries to promote common development in the future.
Chandra Lal Pandey, head of Department of Development Studies, Kathmandu University, Nepal, emphasized security and development are closely related to each other. To address the security and development issues, countries in the world should strengthen regional cooperation, and enhance transparent accountability governance. In addition, we should also attach more importance to green development and low-carbon development, thus boosting the sustainable development of the world.
Farhan Hanif Siddiqi, director of School of Politics and International Relations of Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan, said as global geopolitics is intensifying, security issues are becoming increasingly prominent. When dealing with various conflicts and challenges, countries in the world should take joint actions to achieve stable development. He also said that the CPEC, serving as a bridge linking the two countries, has greatly strengthened China-Pakistan economic cooperation.
Javzandolgoryn Battogtokh, director of School of International Relations and Public Administration, National University of Mongolia, stressed economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection are the core elements to achieve sustainable development. Countries in the world should join hands to develop inclusive economic partnerships, to build a global community with a shared future for development, to develop international law that support collaborations among nations and peoples, and to raise education as a mean and response to realize global peace, harmony and cooperation.
Rath Sethik, dean of Faculty of Development Studies, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, said there could be no development without security. Countries in the world should strengthen multilateral cooperation, enhance mutual trust and avoid conflicts. Neighboring countries should seek for win-win cooperation in natural resources, energy and education. China advocates an independent foreign policy of peace, and BRI has promoted sustainable development and cemented ties among the member countries, which is beneficial to Cambodia’s development.
Sebastian Bersick, Executive Director of Centre for EU-Asia Connectivity, Faculty of East Asian Studies of Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany, pointed out forces that cause de-globalization are strengthened for security reasons. The pandemic has exerted negative impact on economic globalization, and the international order keeps changing. In order to mitigate security threats and to utilize the forces of positive connectivity, connectivity thus needs state-driven political regulation and a binding institutional architecture. He also paid special attention to the Europe-Asia connectivity, believing that this is the new driving force of globalization.
Laszlo Csicsmann, dean of the Kautz Gyula Faculty of Szechenyi Istvan University, Hungary, pointed out mankind is facing unprecedented challenges. Nowadays, European countries are facing multiple crises such as geopolitics, climate change, economic risks and energy issues. To address these security issues, countries should seek new ways of cooperation and further promote the peaceful development of all countries.
Iveta Reinholde, director of Department of Political Science, University of Latvia, Latvia, shared her perception of threats and security, as well as relevant social structures and policy actions. She pointed out that countries are interdependent when it comes to security and development issues, and one country’s policies are bound to have some effect on those of another. In response to various challenges, countries have worked together to promote security and peaceful development by seeking extensive international cooperation and observing international laws and regulations.
Edson Kenji Kondo, director of School of Public Policy and Government, Fundação Getulio Vargas, Brazil, said to achieve global/regional security, it is important to respect the right of nations to self-determination. Regarding development, and it is essential that every country can ensure that it is not stressing out the earth more than other countries but ensuring a decent quality of life to all its citizens. We should also keep a good balance between individual interests and collective interests.
Tesfaye Zeleke, dean of College of Development Studies of Addis Ababa University, Ethopia said peace and development come together. Inclusive and sustainable development should continue to minimize insecurities and uncertainties. Inter-state cooperation among nations are key to achieving global and regional security.
Norbert Csizmadia, former executive director of Magyar Nemzeti Bank, shared his understanding of the world’s development from the perspective of geopolitics. He said that the world has become a multipolar world, and the world’s development is characterized by complexity, connectivity and sustainability. The influence of Asian countries on the rest the world is growing, and the connectivity between Europe and Asia is deepening. BRI has not only deepened the development of infrastructure and transportation, but also promoted global digitization and green development.
Zhang Ji, vice dean of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University, Shen Yi, professor at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University, and Irina Novikova, dean of the School of International Relations of Saint Petersburg State University, Russia moderated the discussion sessions respectively. Zhang Ping, assistant dean of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University, moderated the closing ceremony.
The Union of Schools of Politics and International Relations (USPIR) was founded in 2018 by the School of International Relations and Public Affairs of Fudan University and Fudan Institute of Belt and Road & Global Governance. The initial members of the union were 13 schools of political science and international relations in 13 universities from 13 countries. Nowadays, the union’s network has expanded to 25 schools from 22 countries.
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