ISSUE 9:
The severity of religious, ethnic, and racial conflicts is increasing.
Religious, ethnic, and racial hostilities held in check by the Cold War have now emerged as a major theme of armed struggle. Many groups feel a sense of persecution and isolation. Rapid rates of technological, political, and social change cause many to fear the future, giving rise to feelings of being "left behind," and the need to re-establish fundamental principals. Increases in regional and inter-regional migrations are provoking political and economic tensions. The recent successes of other separatist movements, perceived injustices, and long held animosities, all fuel the fire. Extremists can focus the media through violence. Stinger missiles, chemical and biological weapons, and computer viruses, are cheap and easy for smaller groups to use and have significant affects on "superior" military forces, the media, and the general public.
    Actions to address this issue that were rated the most effective and practical:

  1. Re-adjustment of school curricula to emphasize compassionate behavior and socially acceptable values such as tolerance for diversity - led by government.

  2. Identify most likely next conflicts and facilitate mediation between the groups involved - led by UN organizations and NGOs.

  3. Establish early warning system to identify cultural, ethnic, and religious issues and trends that might lead to conflict - led by UN orgs., with some leadership from NGOs and government.
    Other suggested actions by order of effectiveness:

  4. Establish political priority for ensuring human rights and dignity - led by governments and UN orgs.

  5. Increase funding for social marketing of tolerance and respect of diversity - led by governments and UN organizations.

  6. Seek means for including the views of dissident groups into the legitimate political processes of their countries - led by governments.

  7. Enable the UN to have a standing military force to intervene in a more timely fashion to prevent, quiet, or end ethnic, religious, and racial wars - led by UN organizations.

  8. Conduct more research projects designed to uncover the causes of collective violence - led by NGOs, with some leadership by individuals & groups, government, and UN organizations.

  9. Increase economic development (especially micro-enterprise credit and training) - led by governments.

  10. Increase funding for training and technical assistance in governance and mediation especially in trouble spots - led by governments and NGOs and UN organizations.

  11. Establish international crime tribunals with enforcement power to punish those convicted of atrocious collective and communal violence - led by UN organizations.

  12. Redraw political boundaries so that cultural communities can keep their ethnic, racial, or religious identities - led by governments with some leadership by UN organizations.

  13. Application of mass tranquilizers and other non-lethal weapons to enable third party to disarm warring groups - led by governments with some leadership by UN organizations.
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