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BOOK REVIEW: Alexander Casella, “Breaking the Rules: Working for the UN can be fun. And it can also do some good provided one is ready to lie, fib, obfuscate and break all the rules.”

In Asia, Being a World Citizen, Book Review, Human Rights, NGOs, Refugees, Solidarity, United Nations, United States on January 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM

By René Wadlow

Alexander Casella, Breaking the Rules: Working for the UN can be fun. And it can also do some good provided one is ready to lie, fib, obfuscate and break all the rules.

Geneva: Editions du Tricorne, 2011, 368pp.

Alexander Casella has written a lively account of his years first as a journalist for the Journal de Genève covering events in Vietnam and China and then as a staff member of the Office of the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Refugees dealing largely with Indochina with short stays in other trouble spots – Beirut and Albania after the Serbia-Kosovo conflict. He has kept his journalist ability to paint word portraits of colleagues and Vietnamese and Chinese officials.

Thus, he writes, “During the twenty years that I spent in the cut-throat world of humanitarian action, from Hanoi to Beirut to Bangkok to Hong Kong, the humanitarians I encountered included more than their share of the self-righteous, the unimaginative and the careerist. And as for the philanthropic organizations they served in, while these were certainly doing some good they were also spending an inordinate amount of time stabbing each other in the back as they vied for visibility and a larger slice of the public’s money. To my mind, the worst of the lot were to be found among the so-called advocates, those who had made it their mission to preach rather than to act. Vain, arrogant, self-obsessed and with human rights violations as their daily bread they would on occasion not hesitate to fabricate fodder in the race to appear more proactive than their competitors.”

Casella jumps over his years as a student at the University of Geneva and his Ph.D. studies at the Geneva Graduate Institute for International Studies where he might have seen some backstabbing and also his years as a journalist where all his colleagues were not necessarily imaginative and selfless. However, his emphasis is on his years with the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

He began with UNHCR early in 1973 at a particularly critical moment in the history of the United States (U.S.) war in Vietnam. The High Commissioner was the atypical Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan who had a particular interest in Vietnam. He was the son of the Aga Khan, who as a delegate of India had been for a year the President of the Council of the League of Nations as well as the head of the Ismaili branch of Shia Muslims. Thus, Sadruddin grew up in a diplomatic milieu, studied at Harvard where he made U.S. friends and contacts and had personal money which let him do things without checking with UNHCR accountants. Sadruddin also had a large château on the edge of the Lake of Geneva where he could invite people to whom he wished to speak informally. For Casella, all the following High Commissioners who came from national politics or the International Committee of the Red Cross had less style, fewer doors that opened at the sound of the name, and followed more closely bureaucratic rules.

Breaking the Rules gives the book its title and somewhat its theme. But there is a difference between the rules and the spirit of the rules. The rules are set for an organization whose headquarters are in Geneva and where following rules in the narrow sense is part of the city s culture. Thus, to give an example Casella uses, if you want to buy a ton of cement to build something in Geneva, you need to summit three estimates from three different companies to get an O.K. In Geneva, you can get three estimates in a hurry. But Casella wanted a ton of cement in Hanoi, which had to be shipped from China. There were not three companies in competition. So he bought cement from the one company available. Casella had a good local Vietnamese assistant so he did not pay too much.

As with much national diplomacy, UN organizations have to obfuscate while knowing the real situation. Thus, in the early days when North Vietnam was not a member of the UN, the UNHCR had to deal with what was called the North Vietnamese Red Cross though in practice the people were from the Foreign Ministry. That also happened with the boat people issue of Vietnamese landing in other Asian countries. Some boat people could not be granted refugee status and agreements had to be reached on their return to Vietnam with a government agreement not to prosecute for illegal exit. The negotiations were difficult. Some things had to be made very clear; other things left vague. People known earlier reappear in different categories. You need a good memory.

A main difference between being part of a national diplomatic service and a UN agency, is that in a national service, although people have different temperaments, they share a common culture while in the UN, people come from different cultural backgrounds. Thus when Madame Ogata became High Commissioner “however well she spoke English, she still had the mindset of a Japanese and there was no getting away from it…The stern-looking woman who received me that evening at six did not move from her desk as I was ushered into her office and did not seem particularly pleased to see me either.”

Another difference is the need to raise funds to carry out activities. While most of the bureaucratic functions of UNHCR are covered by a regular budget, activities on behalf of refugees in the field must be covered by special donations, usually from rich countries. Thus, there is a need to sell programs and not to offend the leaders of states who donate funds. There must be as few waves as possible and no reports of financial mismanagement.

Thus, the need at times to whitewash events, to make complicated situations look simpler, to have regional representation of staff and yet somehow to weave the mosaic into one operational entity. Casella has written a realistic picture of UNHCR both in Geneva and Asia – a welcome addition to the small body of writings of firsthand experiences.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

BOOK REVIEW: Deng Ming-Dao, “The Wandering Taoist”

In Asia, Book Review, Nonviolence, Spirituality, The Search for Peace on January 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM

Deng Ming-Dao, The Wandering Taoist.
New York: Harper and Row, 1986, 240pp.

This is a biography of Kwan Saihung, a Chinese Taoist ascetic master written by an American student of his in martial arts and Taoist training. Kwan Saihung was trained in a leading Taoist monastery in China in the 1930s. He left the monastery to fight the Japanese during the late 1930s. After the Communist victory in the civil war, he arrived in California where he teaches Chinese martial arts – many of which are related to Taoist philosophy.

Although Taoist sages usually speak little of themselves – the personality and outward events of life being of less importance than one’s relations to nature and the permanent patterns of life – Deng Ming-Dao has pieced together a chronological description of Kwan Saihung’s early life and training from conversations with the master. Most of the book is recounted in conversational style, which makes for pleasant reading.

“All that matters to a Taoist is that one is in harmony with nature. In one’s character, one is like heaven and earth, as orderly as the four seasons. The book Tao Te Ching clearly states that when things reach the pinnacle of their strength, they begin to grow old. (1) Therefore excessive strength is contrary to Tao. What is contrary to Tao will come to a speedy end. Thus one seeks not to build up one’s own power but to unite with the Tao. Things change but the laws underlying change remain unchanging. If one understands these laws and regulates one’s actions in conformity with them, one can then turn everything to one’s advantage.”

(1) See Arthus Waley, The Way and its Power: A Study of the Tao Te Ching (New York, Grove Press, 1958, 260pp)

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

BOOK REVIEW: Jean Hardy, “A Psychology with a Soul”

In Asia, Book Review, Nonviolence, Peacebuilding, Solidarity, The Search for Peace on January 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM

By René Wadlow

Jean Hardy, A Psychology with a Soul.

London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1987, 245pp.

This is a book on the psychosynthesis system of psychotherapy developed by Roberto Assagioli.

Roberto Assagioli (1888-1974) set out a path to the Higher Self with the power of the will. Roberto Assagioli was a close coworker of both Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung. In 1910, he broke from the Freudian approach and began to develop his own psycho-spiritual model which he called psychosynthesis. He was closer in approach to Jung, but as the first translator of Freud’s writings into Italian, he is often cited as the introducer of Freudian thought into Italy.

Roberto Assagioli was an Italian psychiatrist and humanist.

A short presentation of Assagioli’s view is that “I am what I will to be”. In a sense, the individual does not have a will: rather he is a will, a directing energy, that has taken human form as an individual. The individual will-force is in some way identical to the universal will-force. Assagioli who had studied Asian thought highlighted the Chinese sage becoming one with the universal energy – the Tao.

As the individual will starts on its path toward the Higher Self, it must drop off images of its earlier self formed by experiences, memories, feelings and images of the past. Some of these self-images and experiences have been repressed and stored in the subconscious. Thus, in many cases, there is a first task of self-discovery of past experiences and emotions stored in the subconscious. Only when this is done can one deal with the current self-images and emotions which make up the current personality.

The process of dropping off current self-images Assagioli calls “disidentification”. Disidentification is needed so that a new identity emerges, one that is capable of accepting and integrating in a harmonious synthesis all the earlier emotions, thoughts, and experiences. This is why Assagioli called his approach “psychosynthesis”. It is this fresh, new personality, which Assagioli termed the “I” that can set out on the road to develop the Higher Self. This inner journey is not always easy. There is a progressive examination of the contents of the field of consciousness and the functions of the psyche. This involves a progressive movement through the preconscious, the subconscious and culminating with the higher conscious. Assagioli writes, “Spiritual development is a long and arduous journey, an adventure through strange lands full of surprises, difficulties and even dangers. It involves a drastic transmutation of the ‘normal’ elements of the personality, an awakening of potentialities hitherto dormant, a raising of consciousness to new realms, and a functioning along a new inner dimension”.

Along the way to the Higher Self, the will can be strengthened by what Assagioli calls “transpersonal experiences” and what Abraham Maslow calls “Peak Experiences”. Such experiences help to stimulate the drive toward the Higher Self. However, some of these transpersonal experiences can be short-lived and ephemeral unless they are grounded through meditation and techniques of visualization of oneself as already functioning as the Higher Self.

These techniques of creating an identity as being the Higher Self are one of the outstanding features of psychosynthesis. However, after 1936, his work became increasingly difficult both because of the growing antisemitism under Nazi German pressure on Italy and because his humanitarian activities aroused hostility from the Italian Fascist government. In 1940 he was arrested and kept in solitary confinement for a month and then kept under strict police surveillance. In 1943, he was again actively persecuted and forced to hide in remote mountain villages. He narrowly escaped twice from the Nazi soldiers who had destroyed his family’s home with dynamite.

After 1945, he increased his contacts with a wide group of spiritual thinkers from different traditions. However, his aim remained finding approaches to wholeness, realizing the full human potential, transcending contradictions and achieving enlightenment.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

BOOK REVIEW: Baolin Wu and Jessica Riley, “Eye of Heaven”

In Asia, Book Review, Nonviolence, Spirituality, The Search for Peace on January 6, 2026 at 8:00 AM

By René Wadlow

Baolin Wu and Jessica Riley, Eye of Heaven.
St. Petersburg, Florida: Three Pines Press, 2025, 107pp.

The subtitle of this book is The Daoist Secret for Opening the Third Eye. The Third Eye is a path to awareness. Opening the third eye frees one’s mind from certain limitations. This is the reason that in Daoism the third eye is often referred to as the Eye of Heaven (The title of the book). One finds the same approach in Hinduism, where the third eye, placed just above the other two, is one of the seven main chakras, energy centers in the body, symbolized as a turning wheel. In Buddhism, the third eye represents the eye of consciousness and wisdom. The third eye is widely developed in Tibetan Buddhism where it represents the Gate of Heaven.

Dr.. Baolin Wu entered the Daoist White Cloud Monastery in Beijing as a young boy and was trained there in Daoist medical practice, especially acupuncture as well as in spiritual practices. The White Cloud Monastery is a highly respected center for the study of Daoist philosophy and medicine. He worked for many years in a hospital in Beijing and emigrated to the USA in 1990. The information on spiritual practices in the book comes from Dr. Baolin Wu. Jessica Riley is one of his current students in California, and the English style of the book is hers.

Throughout Chinese history, philosophical and spiritual beliefs have often been related to healing. Some of the Daoist schools emphasize internal alchemy, often as a way to reach longevity. Internal alchemy helps one to become aware of sexual energy and how to circulate, balance, preserve and reuse the energy so as to heal.

The book provides illustrated qigong exercises useful for relaxation but which are also preparation for the opening of the third eye. Work on the third eye and the higher states of consciousness is usually done with a master Daoist. Thus the book is no substitute for efforts with an advanced Daoist practitioner. However, it is a good introduction to the approach and its role in Chinese culture.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

BOOK REVIEW: William Bloom, “The Power of the New Spirituality”

In Asia, Being a World Citizen, Book Review, Cultural Bridges, Human Development, Nonviolence, Solidarity, Spirituality, The Search for Peace on January 6, 2026 at 8:00 AM

By René Wadlow

William Bloom, The Power of the New Spirituality.

Wheaton, Illinois: Quest Books, 2012, 248pp.

William Bloom who combines a long-standing interest in New Age approaches to spirituality with an identity focus in international relations (1), has written “We are in changing times. Our culture and technology are continually transforming, and the intellectual certainties of the last few hundred years are no longer secure…It is our need to find a new authenticity in our spiritual lives — to bring back fully into our consciousness — the sacred dimension of life, but we want to do this in a way that honours personal freedom and personal growth. In essence, then, we are turning to the teachings and experiences of what is called the ageless wisdom, but we are doing so with completely new attitudes”.

A key element of our changing culture is that we are discarding old religious forms and re-creating our spiritual and sacred world. Creative new attitudes, practices, and forms have been an emphasis of William Bloom. (2) As he writes, “As a teacher and author I often feel conflicted: on the one hand, I want to inspire and encourage people about their innate goodness and the wonders of creation; on the other hand, I do not want to support naiveté about the human condition. We are magnificent beings with cosmic consciousness, and yet at the same time we are also insecure and can do harm.

“Yet the current emergence and creation of a new culture is not always an easy process. It feels as if everything is being created anew. At the same time, we know that we are working with dimensions which have always been and which always shall be.”

The basis of many New Age approaches is that we live in a vast field of energy. Vibrations and atmospheres can move like waves through this field to impact others. Our thoughts, feelings and actions can cooperate with this vitality, energy and consciousness for our development and to benefit others. We find this use of energy fields in many schools of spiritual healing such as reiki, in yoga and martial arts. (3)

William Bloom sets out a three-step process for deepening and expanding our awareness, developing our hearts, and building a just, creative and benevolent world. He sets out some core skills.

The first is centering — a calm awareness, an integration of body, mind and spirit. This is best done through silent meditation, but some find music or ritual helpful. “Whatever works for you” is basically his approach. This is an approach called “mindfulness” in some Buddhist traditions and can also be helped by breathing exercises and other techniques.

The second step is to focus the heart on compassion. Visualization is one approach, such as visualizing ever wider circles of persons or places held within the field of compassion. Focusing on the Sacred Heart of Jesus is used in certain Catholic traditions.

The third step is to direct the energy field so that it is of service to others. When we are centered and heart-focused, with an encouraging psychological attitude, we create a vibration that is supportive for those around us and can be a positive influence in the wider world.

William Bloom has written a clear and helpful presentation for personal fulfillment and service to humanity.

Notes:

1) William Bloom, Personal Identity, National Identity and International Relations (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993)
2) William Bloom, First Steps: An Introduction to Spiritual Practice (Forres, Scotland: Findhorn Press, 1993)
3) Barbara Ann Brennan, Hands of Light: Guide to Healing Through the Human Energy Field (New York: Bantam, 1990)

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

Thailand-Cambodia: Urgent Ceasefire Needed

In Asia, Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Cultural Bridges, Current Events, International Justice, NGOs, Nonviolence, Peacebuilding, Solidarity, Spirituality, The Search for Peace, Track II, United Nations, United States, World Law on December 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM

By René Wadlow

The Association of World Citizens (AWC) calls for an urgent ceasefire in the renewed armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia which flared up again on December 8, 2025 with the Thai military launching airstrikes on Cambodia.

A ceasefire had been agreed to in July 2025 in negotiations led by U.S. mediators. There is a 500-mile frontier between the two countries. The frontier was drawn when Cambodia was under French rule. Thailand contests the frontier lines.

Prasat Preah Vihear, the temple claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia (C) PsamatheM

The decades-long dispute has already displaced many persons on both sides of the frontier. The frontier area on both sides has a large number of landmines planted making the whole area unsafe. The disputed area contains a Buddhist temple which should be a symbol of peace and harmony but is now a factor in the dispute.

The AWC stresses that urgent measures of conflict resolution should be undertaken. Nongovernmental Organizations may be able to play a positive role in such efforts. Contacts should be undertaken now.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

BOOK REVIEW: Karine Martin, “Monastic Daoism Transformed: The Fate of the Thunder Drum Lineage”

In Asia, Book Review, Cultural Bridges, Human Rights, Religious Freedom, Spirituality on August 14, 2025 at 6:20 AM

By René Wadlow

Karine Martin, Monastic Daoism Transformed: The Fate of the Thunder Drum Lineage.

Three Pines Press, 2025, 177pp.

Karine Martin, author of this useful overview of the Chinese Government’s attitude toward Daoist clergy, was able to travel widely in China, visiting more than 100 Daoist temples, especially those of the Thunder Drum lineage to which she belongs.

Since 2017, there has been a Chinese government policy called “Sinicization” in keeping with Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Sinicization requires all religious organizations to modify their doctrines and activities so that they match what is considered Han Chinese culture. Authorities have removed crosses from Christian churches and demolished minarets from Islamic mosques. Clergy from all religions are required to attend indoctrination courses on a regular basis. Chinese governments, both Nationalist and Communist, officially recognized five religions: Daoism, Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism.

Some religious groups are considered subversive and are outlawed and their members persecuted such as Falun Gong. During the “Cultural Revolution” (1966 to 1976, ending with the death of Chairman Mao Zedong), religion as such was considered to be one of the “four olds” to be destroyed. Churches and temples were closed. In Tibet, there was widespread destruction of temples. Monks were forced into civilian life. Today, the current policy is to keep religious organizations but to make sure that they do not slip out of control.

As Karine Martin writes,

“Everywhere I went, I found temples in a state of decline and disarray. There were no devotees, much fewer clergy, and minimal activities. Buildings were in disrepair, and there was very little renovation and construction. The overall atmosphere was one of desolation and despair… Temple websites – so strongly developed just a decade ago – now only speak about Xi Jinping Thought and ways of complying with government guidelines… Since all clergy were forced to rejoin secular society during the Cultural Revolution, many got married and had children yet later returned to their monasteries. The marriages often continued, if at long distance, allowing priests to fulfill their spiritual calling while yet having families. Now this is no longer possible, and monks either have to leave the monastery or produce a document that they have obtained a divorce and are properly celebrate.”

Karine Martin has written a very complete picture of monastic Daoism, a development of her Ph.D. thesis based on field observations. However, there is a cultural Daoism which colors Chinese life, its folk religious practices with village shrines – all difficult to control. Daoism places much emphasis on dreams during which the dreamer encounters immortals and advanced masters. Dreams are by their nature difficult to control from outside. The interpretation of the dream is also individual. Dreams can also lead to forms of deep personal meditation in order to understand the significance of the dreams.

Daoism also stresses good health and long life. Deep breathing, massages, herbal remedies and yoga-style movements such as Taijjiquan and Qigong can be carried out without belonging to a Daoist organization.

Daoism also places an emphasis on the appreciation of nature, especially mountains, rivers, forests and well-structured gardens. An ecological concern is growing in China without a specific link to organized Daoism.

While the government may try to control organized Daoist organizations, its cultural manifestations are ever slipping out of control and may one day be manifested in political terms.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

BOOK REVIEW: Jean Boulton, “The Dao of Complexity: Making Sense and Making Waves in Turbulent Times”

In Asia, Being a World Citizen, Book Review, Cultural Bridges, Peacebuilding, Spirituality, The Search for Peace on August 4, 2025 at 6:40 AM

By Vasileios Basios, Ph.D.

Jean Boulton, The Dao of Complexity: Making Sense and Making Waves in Turbulent Times.

Berlin: De Gruyter Brill, 2024, 400 pp.

This remarkable book is distinguished by its illuminating exploration of the contemporary complex world, which is characterised by unpredictability, interconnectedness, and constantly changing flows.

Boulton’s book is intellectually invigorating and profoundly nourishing for the heart and spirit. This can be attributed to the author’s infectious enthusiasm and unique ability to translate sophisticated concepts into practical wisdom.

From the very first pages, the reader is immediately struck by a sense of illumination and inspiration. ‘The Dao of Complexity’ represents a distinctive synthesis of a treatise on systems theory and a philosophical musing on ancient wisdom. Furthermore, Boulton’s writing can be considered a form of activism. It is evident that the author employs a persuasive discourse, unique for its meticulous crafting and intimate style, to instigate a shift in perspective among the readership. This discourse serves as a catalyst, prompting novel interpretations of the intricacies and multifaceted nature of the world.

The book’s structure is so appealing, it invites you to just dip in and out, and to enjoy the thought-provoking reflections each time. Her text design is amazing. It is inspired by Daoist texts and, like these, it encourages serendipitous discovery and deep contemplation. This allows the reader to discover meaning and insights.

Here Complexity Daoism meet in a “remarkable resonance”, as she puts it, and in a vibrant resonant synthesis.

The author confidently masters two powerful traditions: the scientific study of complexity and the ancient philosophy of Daoism. Boulton masterfully unveils the deep connections between these worldviews, demonstrating that both emphasise process, emergence, and the interconnectedness of all things.

In these troubled times, with so many challenges to face – turbulence, pandemics, climate change, political unrest and wars – it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But Boulton’s message is one of hope. She suggests that traditional, mechanistic ways of thinking are not the way to find solutions. Instead, she gently invites us to see the world as a dynamic, ever-evolving process, where outcomes are not always predictable and where our actions ripple outward in unexpected and hopeful ways.

The first part of the book, “Making Sense”, establishes this novel –but ancient– worldview. Drawing on the frontiers of quantum physics, neuroscience and political theory, Boulton confidently demonstrates that both our brains and minds as well as the world around us operate as complex, adaptive, innovating systems, constantly shaped by experience, interaction and feedback. She employs the Daoist concept of “the way that is made by walking” to demonstrate that the future is not a predetermined destination, but rather an attractor shaped by our choices and intentions.

Her perspective is liberating and challenging: it frees us from the illusion of total control and encourages humility and openness. She invites us to stay alert and attuned to subtle shifts for effective leadership and meaningful change.

The second part, “Making Waves”, is where the book really shines as a guide for action. In this, Boulton thoughtfully explores what it means to lead, innovate and create change in a world where outcomes are uncertain and linear planning often fails. She has so many stories and examples to share, covering everything from leadership and education to governance and personal growth. She shows us how to embrace complexity to create responses that are stronger, more caring and better able to adapt.

The book’s most powerful message is clear: we must learn to “make waves” without expecting to control the tide. Our actions matter, but their effects will always be shaped by the broader system in which they occur. This insight is vital for anyone engaged in social change, digital transformation or organisational leadership. Rather than clinging to rigid plans or over-relying on rules, Boulton shows us how to trust, foster creativity, and build cultures of loving, learning and adaptation.

The Dao of Complexity is the indispensable guide to the “big and pressing questions” of our time, including climate change, inequality and polarisation. It combines intellectual rigour and practical relevance with thoughtful guidance on how individuals and societies can respond with hope and determination. Her writing is characterised by a deep compassion and profound respect for the intricacies of human experience. She challenges readers to move beyond simplistic, quantitative measures of success and to value qualities like empathy, trust, and the capacity to hold paradox.

However, what made this book a really joyful and refreshing read is the fact that it is so accessible. I absolutely love how she makes even the trickiest concepts feel so welcoming and relatable. She has this remarkable ability to take these complex ideas and explain them in a way that’s so easy and deeply satisfying for everyone to understand, no matter what their background is.

In a world where control, measurement and certainty can sometimes feel like the only things we know and care about, Jean Boulton’s ‘The Dao of Complexity’ is like a warm breeze on a hot summer’s day. It’s a caring reminder to let go of the daily grind and embrace the beauty and wonder of life. I absolutely love this book. It’s one of those that will really get your creative juices flowing, fill your heart with joy and give you the courage to go out there and “make waves” in your own unique way.

I wholeheartedly recommend it! Read it again and again, for each time you will earn new insights and inspiration for our shared journey ahead.

Vasileios Basios is a Senior Researcher at the University of Brussels.

Thailand-Cambodia: Good Faith Negotiations Needed

In Asia, Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Current Events, NGOs, Nonviolence, Peacebuilding, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, Track II, United Nations, World Law on July 26, 2025 at 9:50 AM

THAILAND-CAMBODIA: GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS NEEDED

The Association of World Citizens (AWC) expresses deep concern over the rising political tensions and military clashes between Thailand and Cambodia which has led to a large displacement of civilians from the border areas.

On July 24, 2025, Cambodian forces launched artillery attacks on civilian targets in Thai territory, and Thailand responded with airstrikes on Cambodia. Landmines have been set in the contested border areas. The AWC has long been active against the use of landmines. This escalation of Thai-Cambodian tensions risks a destabilization of both governments and societies.

Therefore, the AWC calls for an immediate ceasefire and the start of negotiations in good faith.

Prof. René Wadlow, President of the Association of World Citizens

India-Pakistan Ceasefire: Negotiations Now Needed

In Asia, Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Current Events, NGOs, Nonviolence, Nuclear weapons, Peacebuilding, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, Track II, United Nations, World Law on May 13, 2025 at 7:30 AM

By René Wadlow

After the April 22 attack and death of 26 Indian tourists at Pahalgam in the Indian-administered area of Kashmir, tensions between India and Pakistan grew quickly. Pakistan was accused by India of backing the terrorists who had carried out the attack – a charge which Pakistan denied. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the Indian military “complete operational freedom”. A combination of bellicose rhetoric, domestic pressures, and political agitation led to daily exchanges of armed fire, and the shooting down of Indian jet fighters. The frontiers between the two countries were closed and diplomats withdrawn. The dangers of escalation between the two nuclear-armed countries were obvious to many.

Fortunately, outside voices called for an immediate ceasefire: U.S. President Donald Trump and his Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), and some member governments of the UN Security Council which met in closed session, as well as a good number of Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) involved in conflict resolution efforts such as the International Peace Bureau and the Association of World Citizens (AWC). One must now strive so that the ceasefire will hold.

(C) CNN

The next step is to facilitate negotiations between the Indian and Pakistani governments. A first step is to create a number of confidence-building measures so that the ceasefire holds. Then there is a need to develop longer-range negotiations. There are a good number of outstanding issues, such as Kashmir, which go back to the founding of the two countries.

It may be that the current steps back from the nuclear brink will drive home the need for serious negotiations. NGOs in both India and Pakistan may help to see on what issues progress may be made. Those of us on the outside must do all we can to facilitate creative dialogue between Indians and Pakistanis.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.