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Dr Keith Suter on Making Peace in the World Today
Dr Keith Suter (fourth from left) with members of the Blue Mountains Peace Collective.
Recognising how violence and war impact the health of the planet, the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative has become a member of the Blue Mountains Peace Collective. On Sunday 25th May, members of the Collective attended a presentation by Dr Keith Suter on Making Peace in the World Today at the Leura Uniting Church.
Key Points:
The Doomsday Clock, which estimates humanity’s proximity to extinction, has been moved to 89 seconds to midnight.
There are steps all of us can take to grow a global movement for peace.
By adopting a Planetary Health approach – one that recognises the interdependence of human health and the health of our social, economic and environmental systems – we can forge a more peaceful, secure future.
The ‘dis-integration’ of the world through an increase in violence and war is creating an existential threat to all life. This year marks the sober 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, which killed up to 246,000 people. It remains the only use of nuclear weapons in an armed conflict. For months afterward, many people continued to die from the effects of burns, radiationsickness, and other injuries, compounded by illness and malnutrition.
Since then, every year the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has set theDoomsday Clock: a metaphor for estimating humanity’s proximity to extinction.
Dr Keith Suter (AM) from Global Directions, a member of the Club of Rome, former President of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney, and well known media commentator, has written three doctorates: the first examined the international law of guerrilla warfare (University of Sydney), the second explored the social and economic consequences of the arms race (Deakin University) and the third doctorate analysed scenario planning (Sydney University).
Members of the Leura Uniting Church and the Blue Mountains Peace Collective gathered to hear Dr Keith Suter on Sunday 25 May
At a community gathering in Leura, Dr Suter defined peace and the principles of working for peace, before outlining current global concerns and what we urgently need to do to stop the Doomsday Clock reaching midnight. In the question time following, he drew the link between climate change, environmental degradation and peace, and assured everyone that writing letters to politicians does have an impact!
You can watch Dr Suter’s full presentation in this video. Read further for a detailed outline of his talk.
Last month, the Permanent Secretariat of the World Summit of Nobel Laureates for Peace also hosted a webinar underscoring the inextricable link between Planetary Health, environmental sustainability and peace:
For peace to prevail in the long term, we must address these interconnected ecological determinants of human health. Climate change, environmental degradation, and health crises do not respect borders – they have the power to spark conflict, drive displacement, and deepen social inequities. By adopting a Planetary Health approach – one that recognizes the interdependence of human health and environmental systems – we can forge a more peaceful, secure future.
Below is an outline of Dr Keith Suter’s presentation:
MAKING PEACE IN THE WORLD TODAY – Dr Keith Suter
A resource for Twilight at Leura Uniting Church on Sunday 25th May 2025
INTRODUCTION: PEACE
What is “peace”?
More than simply the absence of war
It also involves co-operation and non-violent social change, aimed at creating more equitable and just structures in the communities and societies in which we live
Declaration of St James’ Palace June 1941:
The only true basis of enduring peace is the willing co-operation of free peoples in a world in which, relieved of the menace of aggression, all may enjoy economic and social security.
Principles of Working for Peace
Countries can win wars but lose the peace
“Violence” is not just about war alone: in the 20th Century more people were killed by their own governments than by foreign invaders
There has to be a change within each person
“Shalom”: wholeness
More than just about the scrapping of weapons: converting the weapons of war into the tools of peace: from swords into ploughs
Given the fallen nature of humankind, there will always be violence of some sort and so complete “peace” is not possible this side of the grave
Triangle of Peace
Disarmament
Conflict resolution
Search for justice
CURRENT CONCERNS
AUKUS: Australia, UK, USA
September 16 2021: AUKUS agreement is one of the most important foreign policy decisions in recent Australian history
Australian media tended to focus on submarines but the big picture is even more important; French submarine programme was over time and over budget
“China” was not mentioned in the three statements but was present throughout the media event
Are the decks being cleared for action against China? Variation of the “Thucydides Trap“? (Graham Allison); of 16 arms races in the last 500 years, 12 resulted in war
Risk of sleepwalking into a war with China
Taiwan could be the flashpoint to trigger a confrontation
In the recent general election neither of the two main parties questioned the viability of AUKUS
But New Cold War is Different from the Old One
The old Cold War (US-USSR, 1945-91) was mainly a military confrontation because the USSR was excluded from the world economy
New Cold War has China at the centre of the global economy (including via the Belt and Road Initiative: BRI)
How to oppose militarily a major trading partner?
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Basic Themes of Australian Foreign and Defence Policy
Fear of invasion
Fear that Australia cannot defend itself on its own; Australia is responsible for about 10 per cent of Earth’s surface
Need for a “great and powerful friend”
Payment of insurance premiums (beginning with the NSW troop deployments in UK’s 19th African conflicts) in the hope that the protector will come to Australia’s aid in a crisis
In short: Australia’s foreign and defence policy has been guided by the priorities of the senior ally (UK up to December 1941; now US e.g. Vietnam, “war on terror”, Afghanistan, Iraq)
There is little consistent public interest in this subject: people are anxious to be reassured that “something” is being done by “somebody” and then they turn their attention elsewhere, such as sport
Wider Context
Is China a threat to Australia? How should Australia respond to China-Taiwan tensions? Do we follow the US lead?
For the first time since 1788, Australia’s largest trading partner: isn’t part of the Western political/military alliance; isn’t part of the European cultural heritage; isn’t a developed country; isn’t a democracy: Yes: China is going to become the superpower, but it is doing things differently
How do we operate a fully-fledged nuclear-powered submarine fleet?
Can we trust the US? No country stays on top forever
“Armed neutrality”/ Swedish model: should Australia do more for its own defence and get rid of the US bases; reintroduce conscription; create compulsory forms of service in military and civilian corps, produce more of its own weapons; educate the general public to be more self-reliant?
“New Zealand” option: scrap much of the overseas military capability and reduce the US connection
Will “defence force modernisation” simply trigger local arms races and so would Australia be better off by not modernising and to seek to reassure the local region that it has no aggressive intentions?
Create a Ministry for Peace and do defence and foreign policy differently e.g. more economic and social co-operation?
Conclusion: there are plenty of alternatives to the current policy- but a lack of political will and public pressure to make changes.
In this inspiring interview with Medlow Bath resident Amanda Foxon-Hill she talks about her work with Mid Lachlan Landcare, why Growing Connected Landscapes for the Glossy Black Cockatoo is so important, and why she loves her work so much! Read the full story in Blackheath Area Local News here: https://blackheathnews.com/connecting-landscapes-for-glossy-black-cockatoos/
Book in for the Growing Connected Landscapes Forum at 4pm this Saturday 7 June here: https://events.humanitix.com/growing-connected-landscapes-for-the-glossy-black-cockatoo Register your interest for the Community Tree Planting Day in Goologong here: https://events.humanitix.com/glossy-black-cockatoo-community-tree-planting-5
In a world that increasingly feels out of balance, we’re thrilled to be offering Saturday morning Tai Chi and Qigong at 8am this Saturday 7 June (and the first Saturday of every month on our Skill Share Saturdays). Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art and moving meditation for body, mind and spirit. It is ideal for learning to keep calm amidst chaos but also has health benefits to increase longevity. Harvard Medical School has reported that this gentle form of exercise can help maintain strength, flexibility, and balance, and could be the perfect activity for the rest of your life. It`s particularly popular in Hong Kong, where residents have one of the highest life expectancies in the world! T`ai-Chi has also been found to improve brain function (like memory and mental flexibility) faster than other exercise and, in a recent study, comparing T`aiChi to brisk walking, the martial art was found to be significantly better at reducing blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease, like blood sugar levels and cholesterol. If you’d like to try it out, you can reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3FxWPgR
Learn how to Grow Connected Landscapes for the magnificent Glossy Black Cockatoo at 4pm on Saturday 7th June. In our first Planetary Health Forum we’ll be hearing from Amanda Foxon-Hill from Mid Lachlan Landcare, Jayden Gunn from Birdlife Australia and Samantha (Pongi) Bowden from Glenbrook Public School, to learn more about the Glossy and how we can all help improve its habit from the Lower Mountains to Central NSW. We’re also launching a Community Tree Planting Day on 5 July in Goologong (near Cowra) to which we’re hoping we’ll get a large group of volunteers to help make a difference for this beautiful bird (and lots of other species as well!)
Habitat connectivity is essential if species are to adapt and overcome the challenges posed by our changing climate.
Join us as we imagine life as a Glossy Black Cockatoo. We`ll make our way through the temperate eucalypt forests of Dharug & Gundungurra land here in the Blue Mountains before leaving the Great Dividing Range for the Wheat & Sheep belt of the Central Tablelands. Our journey ends on Wiradjuri Land, North West of Cowra in the dry scleropyhyll forests of the Conimbla & Nangar National Parks, the start of the Western Woodland Way
Jayden Gunn is an adept wildlife photographer, ecologist, and environmental educator, with a deep passion for Australian birdlife. Through his lens, he captures Australia`s unique wildlife, using digital storytelling to connect people with nature in meaningful ways.
Links in profile to book in.
Book for the Forum here: https://bit.ly/43FzamP
Register your interest for the Community Tree Planting Day here: https://bit.ly/3HwYHa5
Watch an interview with Amanda here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77y2jrCzINo&t=52s
Read more about Glenbrook Public Schools work for the Glossy Black here: https://lowermtnslocalnews.com/glossy-black-cockatoos/
Our newsletter is now out! View our video of Dr Keith Suter on "Making Peace in the World Today” and read about Growing Connected Landscapes for the Glossy Black Cockatoo and the 2024 Wynne Prize exhibition at the Cultural Centre. You can also book in for our Mushroom Cultivation and Tai Chi workshops, and our Planetary Health Bushcare on Skill Share Saturday, 7 June. And PS. We’re a finalist in the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards. Read the newsletter here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4dEFL5u
Yesterday a delegation from the University of Sydney and the Razak School of Government in Malaysia visited the Planetary Health Centre to exchange experiences on the challenges all our local governments are facing, including adapting to climate change, managing ageing populations, and finding economic opportunities for small councils to support their community`s needs. @rsog_insta #localgovernment #planetaryhealth #disasterriskreduction #systemicchange #councils #malaysia #exchange...
As part of an international project to advance science communication for Planetary Health (SciCoPH), Indonesian science journalists, science communication experts and bioscientists visited the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre to learn more about what we`re doing last month. Read our story in Katoomba Area Local News here: https://bit.ly/43MFUjM (link in profile)
Has your place been smashed by all this rain? Check out our video of how Anne Mellor, on a sloping block in Springwood, built Japanese guttering and a dry creek bed to manage large influxes of stormwater in the most beautiful way. You can view the video in our Water Management Playlist on our YouTube channel (link in profile) Full instructions on how to do it in our story in Springwood Area Local News here: https://bit.ly/3YXIsJe (link to Springwood Area Local News in our profile. Search Individuals and you`ll find our story) #stormwater #flood #japaneseguttering #drycreekbed #beprepared #trenches #japanesegardendesign #planetaryhealth #springwood...
We need your help! Can you help us grow our YouTube channel subscribers and `watch hours` so we can get YouTube income to produce more great resources. Subscribe and watch our videos here (link in profile): https://www.youtube.com/@bluemountainsplanetaryhealth
Earlier this month, around 160 first year medical students from The University of Notre Dame Australia were introduced to Planetary Health and Dharug culture at the Planetary Health Centre, and learnt how to help people prepare for future heatwaves. Watch Professor Madden`s lecture and learn more about what they`re learning in our Planetary Health news here: https://planetaryhealthnews.com/future-doctors-learn-about-planetary-health/ (link to Planetary Health News in our profile) @notredameaustralia @doctorsfortheenvironment @ph_alliance @planetaryhealthcollective...
Recently we grew these stunning mushrooms with a kit from EarthRising Mushroom Farm in Lawson. If you`d like to learn how to grow your own, and get a kit to take home with you, we`ll be holding a Mushroom Cultivation workshop with Alex from EarthRising at our next Skill Share Saturday on 7 June. Bookings essential here: https://bit.ly/4dfc3nv (link in profile)
In a moving call for peace on Anzac Day, over 80 people gathered in the golden afternoon light at Peace Park in Katoomba to reflect on war and ask the hard questions about its grim reality. The day was interspersed with reflections, poetry, a minute of silence, and songs by The Bearded Ladies Choir. Read more, including about upcoming Peace events, in our new Planetary Health News here (link in profile):
Our newsletter is now out! Read about the launch of our new global Planetary Health News; about the Blue Mountains Peace Collective`s Anzac Day Reflection; about how future doctors are learning about Planetary Health; and about how science journalists from Indonesia visited the Planetary Health Centre to advance science communication for Planetary Health. You can also book in for our Mushroom Cultivation and T`ai-chi workshops. Read the newsletter here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3YF3CvA
Last week around 160 first year medical students were introduced to Planetary Health and Dharug culture at the Planetary Health Centre, with presentations by Professor Lynne Madden from Notre Dame, Lis Bastian from the Planetary Health Centre and Dharug man Chris Tobin.
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