Non-aligned Movement: In Search Of A New Role
Yuba Nath Lamsal
THE 14th summit of the Non-aligned Movement concluded recently by adopting the Havana Declaration which calls for revitalising NAM to give it continued existence and enable it to play a decisive role in the international arena.Global challengesCritics, even during the height of the Cold War era, had dubbed NAM a non-acting movement as it was engaged in more barking than biting. Despite being called a Non-aligned movement, majority of its members, in one way or the other, were aligned with either of the two power blocs. Majority of them were pro-Soviet Union and used this forum to bash the Western world, especially the United States.Even in the recently concluded Havana conclave that was held in a low profile, some countries like Bolivia, Iran, Cuba and North Korea used the forum to launch a crusade against the United States, calling on the Third World countries to unite against Western hegemony. However, majority of them were moderate - India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Chile and Peru - that pushed for more reconciliatory measures with the West and bridge the disparity between the North and the South in collaboration with the developed countries.The conclave was unanimous on the need for collective efforts in tackling global challenges like poverty, backwardness, terrorism, AIDS, unfair trade and economic disparity between the North and the South. These issues pose a bigger threat than ever before. However, the poor countries have neither the resources nor the commitment to fight against these devils without the support of the developed nations.The Non-aligned Movement was founded in 1955 in Bangdung of Indonesia with the objective of promoting international peace, goodwill and cooperation among the Third World countries on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence, popularly called Panchasheel. The five principles of peaceful coexistence include: mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in the domestic affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.In practice, it could neither prevent war nor the interference by the bigger and powerful nations in the domestic affairs of the smaller and weak countries. Peaceful coexistence has been a distant dream in the present world characterised by disparity and domination by the stronger and powerful over the weaker and powerless through economic, technological and military muscles.So far NAM has existed on paper only, and it is in the spotlight only during the summit meetings when leaders make tall claims on international issues. In the 41 years since the movement was founded, the world has undergone a sea change. Its main purpose was to create a common forum for the nations that did not prefer to be aligned with any of the two power blocs that existed during that period. Now the world is no longer bipolar. The erstwhile Soviet bloc has collapsed ideologically, militarily and economically. Militarily, the world is uni-polar with the Unites States of America remaining the only super power. Ideologically, pluralist democracy has been accepted as the best and the only viable political system. Communism and socialism as a political and economic model have failed during the experimental phase. Newer challenges have emerged, posing a serious threat to human security and survival. So the Third World countries must work together with resolve. The spectre of poverty is especially dangerous. The number of poor people has multiplied, and the scourge of terrorism has afflicted almost every region in one way or the other. Trade imbalance and economic disparity between the rich North and the poor South have increased. AIDS has emerged as a newer threat to humanity, killing thousands of people every year. These are the challenges that are getting more acute with each passing day, thus, requiring a global effort to overcome. Against this background, the Non-aligned Movement needs to change its rhetorical approach and adopt a more action-oriented campaign. In the present changed international power equation, this movement, if needed, should immediately take the initiative to reshape its role and model to cope with the new situation if the movement is to be made vibrant.The ideals of the NAM are still relevant - perhaps even more relevant - as the world has been ravaged by civil unrest and conflict, disparity and distortion. However, these ideals have never been fulfilled. Even some of the champions of NAM have trampled on the ideals they cherished when it came to dealing with the smaller and weaker neighbours.With the wave of globalisation further reinforced by the technological revolution, especially in the field of information and communication, the world has become a small global village. No country can remain aloof from the events taken place in another part of the globe. So the concept of involving the countries of NAM in the global affairs with equal status and vigour could be a better alternative to overcoming the challenges facing the world today than remaining aloof as a non-aligned and neutral member state. The goals and ideals of NAM are achievable, provided all nations work collectively. The need today is to translate the ideals of NAM into action. It can not be done without the involvement of the countries of the First World. The Third World countries lack the resources to tackle the emerging problems and challenges. Unless humanity is free from fear and wants, no ideal and principle can work no matter how noble and well-intentioned they are.The developed countries have the means and resources to transform the world into a prosperous and better place to live in and rescue the Third world countries from the shackles of poverty and backwardness. NAM , thus, needs to first focus on the physical needs of the people - food, shelter, clothes, education, health care, civil and political rights of the people.Just world orderSo far as Nepal is concerned, it has been strictly adhering to the principles of non-alignment, and its foreign policy is guided by the ideals of NAM. During the address to the plenary session of the NAM summit in Havana, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs put forth Nepal's stance on international affairs. The head of the Nepali delegation clearly called for reshaping and remodelling NAM 's role in order to achieve the goals of NAM and create a just world order in which smaller and weaker nations like Nepal can benefit.
Comments
Post a Comment