Safe learning spaces harmonize climate action and sustaining peace

In today's rapidly changing world, where climate change and conflicts pose significant systemic challenges, training organizations can play a crucial role in equipping institutions with the knowledge and skills necessary to address such complexities. Learning events, within organizations, can contribute to creating safe spaces for cross-sectoral conversations on how best to understand and approach challenges across different teams. They can help increase awareness, identify critical gaps, foster collaboration, encourage the practice of sharing innovative practices, and enhance organizational positioning.

The recent “Climate, Peace and Security” workshop organized by the United Nations System Staff College in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), is an example of how such conversations are needed within and across United Nations (UN) system.

In this blog, I will present a few takeaways on why such learning events and workshop discussions on climate, peace and security are not only timely and relevant but also contributing to advancing this important agenda.

1. Increasing awareness and understanding of climate, peace and security:

The UN was created at a time when climate change was not an issue discussed or researched by the wider public. Today climate change is a proven reality, and it is important for the different UN entities to understand its impact on the larger system’s ability to contribute to sustaining peace through its different mandates and operations. By sharing knowledge and insights on conflict- and climate-sensitive approaches participants gain comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced and potential impacts of those approaches. This heightened awareness enables participants to approach climate, peace nexus challenges with a more informed and holistic perspective. Through the FAO Climate, Peace and Security workshop, UNSSC contributed to increasing awareness among participants from FAO Office of Emergency and Resilience and the Office for Climate and Biodiversity about the interplay between climate change, peace, and security in agrifood systems.

2. Fostering collaboration and exchanges on the climate, peace nexus across teams:

Collaboration is essential in addressing complex issues, such as climate, peace and security. The FAO workshop aspired to help break down silos by bringing together experts from various FAO offices and divisions. This collaborative environment facilitated the exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices. By learning from one another, participants enhanced their joint understanding of climate, peace, and security issues and identified areas for future joint action. This collaborative approach fosters a more comprehensive and integrated approach to problem-solving.

3. Presenting innovative practices and tools for mainstreaming climate and conflict sensitivity

Innovation is crucial for addressing emerging challenges around the interlinkages between climate and conflict. The FAO workshop provided a platform for showcasing existing and innovative practices and tools across teams relating to climate, peace nexus risks analysis and programming for agrifood systems. Participants were exposed to a range of initiatives and solutions, enabling them to learn from successful experiences across units. This knowledge sharing promotes the adoption of effective tools and practices, contributing to the development of resilient agrifood systems.

4. Identifying critical gaps and outlining a way forward:

Recognizing gaps in knowledge, resources, and capacity is essential for progress. The FAO workshop encouraged participants to identify critical gaps related to climate, peace, and security. Participants collectively recognized the need for increased capacity building and learning opportunities tackling the relationship between climate and conflict in agrifood systems.

5. Enhancing organizational positioning:

Learning events have a broader impact beyond the participants themselves. The FAO workshop contributed to initiating conversations around building a shared understanding of climate, peace, and security within the organization. By breaking silos and improving collaboration, organizations can better define their positioning in relevant discussions.

Through designing and delivering similar workshops, UNSSC aims to contribute effectively to the global dialogue on climate, peace and security. In a world grappling with the challenges of climate change and conflicts, learning events can play a pivotal role. These events expand horizons, foster collaboration, unveil innovative practices, bridge critical gaps, and empower change. By embracing the power of learning, FAO and other training organizations can pave the way for resilient agrifood systems and a more secure future.