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Latest Policy Briefs and Reports
Vanishing Homelands: Climate Security, Displacement and Human Rights: A Pacific Focus
Policy Brief No.119 - November, 2021
Climate change is having profound impacts on the displacement of communities and the stability of peace and security. As climate displacement continues to rise at an unprecedented rate, it is compounded by many variables which can be described collectively as ‘nexus dynamics’. This Policy Brief examines the protection of climate-displaced people, highlighting the limitations and effectiveness of existing refugee frameworks. It recognises a shift in the factors driving human displacement, such as climate change, which are not limited to ‘the fear of persecution’, as has traditionally defined ‘refugees’. This Brief advocates for the implementation of a human rights-based framework to protect and preserve the life and dignity of those embarking on a relocation process, whether forced or voluntary. It discusses how displacement is impacting the Pacific Region which is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and is experiencing vanishing homelands due to rising sea levels. The conclusion offers a range of policy recommendations designed to assist Pacific states in the protection and support of climate-displaced persons and in the maintenance of peace and security.
Cooperative Security, Arms Control and Disarmament Peace and Security in Northeast Asia
China, Cambodia and the Myanmar Crisis
Policy Brief No.118 - November, 2021
In preparation for the Seoul Peace Initiative Conference (SPIC) on 8/9 November, this paper discusses several dilemmas faced by China in relation to the ongoing political, economic, social and health crisis in Myanmar. It concludes that China has a chance to work constructively with ASEAN under Cambodia’s chairmanship in 2022 to obtain Aung San Suu Kyi’s release, the reconstitution of the national assembly elected in 2020, and the formation of an interim coalition government until new free and fair elections can be held.
Climate Change and Conflict Contemporary Peace Research and Practice
Warming to a New Definition and Call for Global Action: Humanity’s Security
Policy Brief No.117 - October, 2021
The world is in the throes of two classically defined global problems that confront humanity: climate change and a ruinous pandemic. Everyone is affected; only global solutions can solve them and a truly commonly agreed blueprint is needed not only to face ongoing threats, but to avoid the worst to come in the near future. Decisive joint action in the interests of all humanity is required. In the light of the stark losses incurred by the world economy as a consequence of both these problems, I argue that a new conceptualization of security must be embraced now: humanity’s security. This is a call for action that requires states to pool their resources, capacities and strengths for the common good of humanity to attain global public goods on a planetary scale.
Diaspora-led Dialogue: Climate Change Challenges to the Cultural Identity and Sovereignty of Pacific Atoll Nations
Summary Report No.116 - October, 2021
In 2020, the Pacific Island Council of Queensland (PICQ) in partnership with Friends of the Earth Australia (FOE) hosted two online forums on the topic of Climate Change Challenges to the Sovereignty of Pacific Atoll Nations. In 2021, PICQ continued the dialogue, hosting an online conference on Climate Change Challenges to the Cultural Identity and Sovereignty of Pacific Atoll Nations. This report, co-written by many prominent and expert speakers who presented at these events, outlines the themes covered in the online forums and the learnings from the Conference. It concludes with arenas for action on which cultural identity and sovereignty must be pursued, all of which are important given the complex, multi-faceted natured of climate change.
Cooperative Security, Arms Control and Disarmament Peace and Security in Northeast Asia
In AUKUS We Trust: Australia’s Security Settings Return to the Future
Policy Brief No.115 - September, 2021
On 16 September, at the end of a virtual summit by leaders of the three countries, Australia, the UK and the US announced the conclusion of the AUKUS security agreement that commits the UK and US to unprecedented technology transfer and material assistance to help Australia acquire a fleet of eight nuclear-propelled submarines. This Policy Brief unpacks the longer term national, bilateral, regional and global reverberations and ramifications of the shock announcement of the birth of AUKUS.