Global Peace and Security – JSS3 Social & Citizenship Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Global peace and security is a state in which nations live without war and people everywhere live free from the fear of attack.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define global peace, security and peacekeeping.
2. Name the organisations that work for peace in the world and in Africa.
3. Describe Nigeria’s peacekeeping work in the Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Darfur.
4. List ways, other than sending soldiers, that Nigeria supports world peace.
5. State what a JSS3 student can do to promote peace.

What is global peace and security?

Global peace is a state in which nations work together to prevent violence, protect human rights and help one another during disasters.

• Global peace: more than the absence of war between countries.
• Security: people can live without fear of attack, whether by another country or by terrorists.
• Peacekeeping: countries send soldiers and police to a place of conflict, not to fight, but to stand between the groups and stop the violence.
• Mediation: a neutral person or country helps two sides in a quarrel to talk and reach an agreement.
• Refugee: a person who runs to another country to escape war or danger.

Why should Nigeria care about world peace?

Nigeria cares about world peace because trouble in one place can spread to other places, including Nigeria.

• Afrocentrism: Nigeria’s foreign policy puts Africa at the centre, so peace in Africa comes first.
• Shared effects: war in a neighbouring country can bring refugees, weapons and trade problems to Nigeria.
• Self-protection: by helping others stay peaceful, Nigeria also protects itself.

What are the threats to global peace and security?

The main threats to global peace are war, terrorism, intolerance, poverty and the spread of weapons.

• War between countries: armed fighting over land, power or resources.
• Civil war: fighting between groups inside one country, as in Liberia and Sierra Leone in the 1990s.
• Terrorism: violent attacks on ordinary people to spread fear.
• Intolerance: hatred of people because of their tribe, religion or race.
• Poverty and hunger: desperate people are easier to draw into violence.
• Illegal weapons: small arms moving across borders make conflicts worse.

Which organisations work for peace?

The United Nations, the African Union and ECOWAS are the main organisations that work for peace in the world, in Africa and in West Africa.

How has Nigeria acted as a “Giant of Peace”?

Nigeria has been one of the most active peacekeeping countries since independence in 1960, working through the UN, the AU and ECOWAS.

1. Work with the United Nations

• Troops and police: Nigeria is one of the countries that provide soldiers and police to the UN.
• Number of missions: Nigeria has taken part in more than 40 missions worldwide.
• Congo (1960): Nigerian soldiers helped to stabilise the country in the year Nigeria became independent.
• Lebanon and Yugoslavia: Nigerian peacekeepers served in the Middle East and in Europe.
• Trusted record: this long service is why the UN often calls on Nigeria for new missions.

2. Work in Africa (AU and ECOWAS)

• Liberia and Sierra Leone: in the 1990s Nigeria led ECOMOG, the ECOWAS peace force, during the civil wars.
• Cost of ECOMOG: Nigeria spent a lot of money and lost many soldiers to restore peace.
• Sudan (Darfur): Nigeria played a major role in the AU mission to stop the killing and suffering.
• “Big Brother” role: Nigeria often leads the way when its neighbours are in trouble.

How else does Nigeria contribute to world peace?

Besides soldiers, Nigeria contributes through mediation, funding, hosting refugees and leadership.

1. Mediation and diplomacy: Nigerian Presidents and diplomats travel to help quarrelling sides talk. Nigeria prefers negotiation to fighting.
2. Financial support: Nigeria is one of the main funders of the African Union. The money helps pay for peace missions and development projects.
3. Hosting refugees: Nigeria has given a safe place to people fleeing war in neighbouring countries such as Chad and Cameroon.
4. Leadership: Nigerians have served as Force Commanders of international peace missions. This shows the world trusts Nigerian leadership.

What are the costs of peacekeeping?

Peacekeeping costs Nigeria human lives and large amounts of money.

• Human life: many Nigerian soldiers have died keeping peace in other countries. We must respect their memory.
• Money: peace missions are expensive. Some people say the money should be spent at home.
• The other view: others say a peaceful Africa makes a richer Nigeria.

How can a JSS3 student promote peace?

A student promotes peace by treating others well, respecting differences and staying informed.

• Start at home and school: do not bully classmates. Peace begins with how you treat people.
• Practise tolerance: respect people who are different from you.
• Settle quarrels peacefully: talk, listen and ask a teacher or elder to mediate.
• Stay informed: follow the news so you understand the world you will help to lead.

Quick revision table

Evaluation

1. Define peacekeeping in your own words.
2. Mention two countries where Nigeria helped restore peace through ECOMOG.
3. Why does the UN often call on Nigeria for peace missions?
4. Apart from sending soldiers, list two other ways Nigeria contributes to world peace.
5. What is Afrocentrism in your own simple words?

Assignment

Write a short note of six to eight lines on “How I Can Promote Peace in My School”. Give three actions and explain how each one helps to build a peaceful world.