Ambassador Rick Barton Talks National Security & Global Conflicts
On Thursday, March 27th, Plymouth State University, in conjunction with the College of Business Administration and the World Affairs Council of N.H., hosted Ambassador Rick Barton, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations.
We buy local, we eat local-now diplomacy is local. Ambassador Barton and his team of 155 help avert conflict by asking local people how to solve problems without violence. Working closely with existing movements and established opinion-makers-local leaders, indigenous and international non-governmental organizations, and civic associations their aim is to break the cycles of violence around the world.
Politically motivated violence often targets the most vulnerable. Opening channels for talks and establishing agreements for long-lasting peace, encouraging economic development aren't enough, according to Barton. He stressed the importance of engaging women-
"50% of the world's population"- and young people-"another 25% of the global population"-, to institute grassroots democracy and self- sufficiency in countries wrought by violence and poverty.
According to Barton, in Kenya, where in 2013, the US was spending $800 million on HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention while Kenyan leaders unanimously believed their most pressing national concern was political violence, the leading cause of instability in their country.
Violence did break out in the 2013 elections-Six police officers were killed in election violence in 2013, 52 people killed during the 2012 elections, 118 in 2007 and 2008.
Acting on this, Barton's group secured the funds for Kenyan stake holders to organize and travel to other towns and villages to calm the urge for violence, eventually reaching millions and perhaps helping avoid a civil war, all for the cost equivalent of putting two American soldiers on the ground.
In Syria, Barton's office financed a series of FM radio stations run by the opposition, putting them in touch with 80% of the population. With no cellphones or Internet possible, this was an effective and locally-controlled solution.
"Applying the answer to a previous situation is not necessarily the best idea," Barton says. Innovation and flexibility corresponding with an individual situation are imperative, especially where the general public is concerned, however Barton says that although there are, "good local initiatives, the likelihood of any of them succeeding is 20%". According to Barton this is where US diplomatic and financial support proves useful in increasing the chances of success for start-ups worldwide.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More theclockonline News Articles
- The Afrofutures of Feminism: Young, Gifted, and Black
- A Weekend of Darkness
- Elizabeth Warren Visits PSU
- Freedom of Speech at PSU
Recent theclockonline News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR THECLOCKONLINE
Campton Elementary School 8th Grade Silent Auction & Spaghetti Dinner By Rebecca Tgibedes
Will You? By Isabelle Elsasser
Summer in the Sunflowers By Emily Holleran
Student Spotlight: Sabrina Siegel By Justine Walsh
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THECLOCKONLINE NEWS
RECENT THECLOCKONLINE CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
- Stroke & Dementia in Black Men: Tips for Staying Healthy...
- Hispanics and African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye...
- African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye Disease
- Infinity Kings: Final Book In A Favorite Fantasy Series
- What You Need To Know About Keratoconus and the iLink...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Don’t Let Diabetes Shortchange Your Golden Years
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
- Young Author Translates 4,000-Year-Old Text to Reveal...
- Keeping Cool and Energy-efficient Amid America’s “...
- Addressing Sarcopenia with a Healthy Diet
- Subway’s New Wraps Elevate Eating on the Go
- Family Teacher Conference Topics Beyond Academics
- Youth Take Down Tobacco
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Reads to Kickoff Spring
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK
- BLUMHOUSE AND AMC THEATRES LAUNCH FIRST-EVER HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN FILM FESTIVAL
- THE GEN Z IMPERATIVE: LISTEN TO FEELINGS AND GIVE GEN Z A VOICE