Martin Griffiths CBE lecture at the Signet Library - Scottish Global Dialogues | Ep 34

On 22 August 2024, Martin Griffiths CBE, the former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (2021-24) delivered the Second Keynote Address of Scottish Global Dialogues at the Signet Library in the heart of enlightenment Edinburgh during the height of the 2024 Edinburgh festivals on the Conflict Crisis.

Scottish Global Dialogues is a joint annual initiative between Beyond Borders Scotland and the WS Society designed to shine a light on a global policy issue of concern to the public. Last year, Secretary John Kerry, gave the inaugural address on the climate crisis. This year Martin Griffiths reflects on the conflict crisis and widespread failure to adhere to international humanitarian law and what to do about both.

After some initial welcome remarks from Mark Muller Stuart KC, founder of Beyond Borders Scotland, Martin is introduced by the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney MSP, who gives his own take on the crisis and Martin’s role in it. Martin then delivers a tour-de-force account of the current state of the world and what has to be done to ameliorate the current unacceptable level of suffering of civilian populations caught up in conflict.

In the Address, Martin sets out the case for enhanced humanitarian diplomacy in international affairs, greater accountability and an end to impunity, and explores the role that advocacy and education can play in encouraging compliance with universal normative standards.

Martin also makes the case for the greater use of political mediation as a means of securing humanitarian relief in an increasingly facturing and dangerous world, including through new mediators and a renewed dialogue with the global south, including over how to equitably apply the international rules-based order of the United Nations.

Scottish Global Dialogues and the annual Address are designed to promote non-partisan debate on international relations and global affairs in the interests of advancing citizenship and global exchange.

Find out more:

Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/

Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/

Produced by FoSho STUDIOS