pursuit of a just world, the future cries out to us to navigate peace, security and human rights in ways that reflect the evolving nature of conflict.

We live in a time of profound crisis, driven by interconnected and existential threats where conflict has metastasized and violence is manifesting in new and multidimensional ways. A global pandemic, the devastating impacts of climate change, conflicts driven by resource scarcity, while racial and economic injustice erodes trust in the basic social contract fueling authoritarianism and extremism. Civil societies are often poisoned by extremist voices on social and mass media, sowing disinformation, fear and hatred. How do we sustain humanity, build inclusive peace, pursue justice, and strengthen human rights in the face of such adversity?

We start by recognizing that solutions are interconnected. Peace, security and human rights are fragile when we attempt to achieve the conditions for each separately, yet resilient when each serves to support the other. A society without peace, security and human rights coexisting is not sustainable. Yet too often, activists, leaders and philanthropists silo their efforts and fail to listen to the communities most affected and lift up their solutions. To counter the acute global threats of our era we must integrate our work in pursuit of peace, security and human rights as the collective building blocks of human dignity as well as progress and development. During this year’s Article 3 Human Rights Day program, we will explore how the human rights movement can provide a path forward towards a world where rights are respected, basic human needs are met, and, in the words of Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”

This year’s recipient of the Article 3 Human Rights Global Treasure Award, Leymah Gbowee, known as the “Mother of Peace,” exemplifies the wisdom and power of those closest to the problems to advocate for and achieve peace. Gbowee received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her work in Liberia, where she led a nonviolent, women-centered movement to end the nation’s civil war. Today, as Executive Director of the Women, Peace, and Security program at the Earth Institute at Columbia University and through her work with PeaceJam Foundation, Gbowee continues to elevate women and emerging leaders in building peace and security.