Know The COVID-19's Impact on Positive Peace Pillars

The GPI assesses the state of peace in three areas: safety and security, ongoing conflict, and militarization. While the globe has grown less peaceful in recent years, there have been remarkable gains in peace. The average country score in the militarization domain increased by 4.4%, owing to reductions in military spending as a percentage of GDP and the size of armed forces in many nations.

The pandemic of 2020 has exposed the global socio-economic system's interconnectedness, fragility, and complexity. International travel and trade systems collapsed in weeks, social norms shifted dramatically, rights and privileges formerly taken for granted—such as freedom of movement and association—were denied, and social ideals were reoriented.

The pandemic has harmed people who live in fragile states the most. First, the economic crisis significantly increased the likelihood of unemployment and poverty. Second, travel limitations and social isolation disrupted tourism and humanitarian missions, which delivered food and medical care to the most vulnerable.

COVID-19's Impact on the World Peace Index and the Positive Peace Index

Humanity is facing one of the most devastating calamities in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic's catastrophic loss of life and severe economic dislocation will forever alter society and economies. Their responsiveness and adaptability will determine which countries function well throughout this period. For other countries, the epidemic will reverse years of socio-economic improvement, deepen humanitarian crises, and potentially escalate instability and warfare.

The road to recovery from the global recession will be long and winding. Two variables, however, may help countries along this route. The first is high positive peace levels, which ensure effective institutions, transparency, social cohesion, and representative governments. The second factor is favorable economic conditions before the pandemic's commencement.

Measures to tackle the impacts

The Government That Functions Well

A well-functioning government provides high-quality public and civil services, fosters participation and trust, exhibits political stability, and supports the rule of law.

Optimal Business Conditions

The sound business environment reflects the strength of economic conditions and the formal institutions that enable the private sector to operate. Competitiveness in business and economic production are linked to the most peaceful countries.

Fair resource Distribution

Peaceful nations tend to assure equity in access to resources such as enlightenment and health care and, to a slightly lesser extent, parity in income distribution.

Acceptance of Others' Rights

Peaceful countries frequently have explicit laws guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms and informal social and cultural standards that govern residents' behavior.

Good Neighbor Connections

Good ties with other countries are vital to good country or local community relations. Positive external links are associated with more peace and political stability, better functioning governments, regional integration, and lower levels of organized internal conflict.

Free Flow of Information

Information is disseminated in a way that leads to greater understanding and assists individuals, corporations, and civil society make better decisions. In times of crisis, this leads to better outcomes and more sensible reactions.

High Levels of Human Capital

A skilled human capital base reflects how societies educate citizens and foster knowledge development, boosting economic productivity, caring for the young, political engagement, and social capital.

Low Corruption

In cultures where corruption is widespread, resources are allocated inefficiently, resulting in a shortage of financing for vital services and public conflict. Conversely, low levels of corruption can help people have more faith in institutions.

International Tourism, Number of Arrivals

As previously indicated, international tourism has suffered substantial declines in air travel, which fell in the first half of 2020. International aviation travel has decreased by more than 90% in several nations.

CONDITIONS AFTER PANDEMIC RECOVERY

• Low central government debt as a percentage of GDP will enable governments to borrow to lessen the impact of the economic crisis and support post-pandemic recovery plans.

• Low unemployment, particularly long-term unemployment, indicates that the labor market is durable and adaptable, allowing people to be retrained and reassigned to a new post-pandemic economic environment.

• Since tax income is low in terms of GDP, central authorities will have some discretion to raise taxes in the short term to help support the crisis-exacerbated budget deficits. This might eliminate the need for high inflation and economic instability to erode government debt.

• As countries have a low reliance on international trade (exports plus imports) as a percentage of GDP, they can navigate the interruption of global logistics triggered by COVID-19 and a hypothetical future drop in international trade. As the COVID-19 epidemic interrupts normal economic activities, the World Trade Organization (WTO) predicts a decline in global trade between 13 and 32 percent in 2020.

SECURITY AND SOVEREIGNTY

The epidemic has pushed the benefits and drawbacks of relying on international trade against nurturing economic sovereignty to the forefront. Economic dominance refers to a country's ability to serve its local market without relying heavily on other countries. Imports plus exports as a percentage of GDP indicate how dependent a country is on foreign trade to keep its economy afloat.

Overall, it is necessary to acknowledge the crucial role of international trade in global wealth. Various countries and areas have different comparative advantages, and the capacity to trade these rewards is essential to success. However, the likelihood of trade disruptions must be factored into the design of a country's economic infrastructure. Otherwise, their economies will be overly exposed to logistical shocks and unprepared for future crises.

A practical and pragmatic approach to peace response

Peace responsiveness is proactive, forward-thinking, and focused on systemic change. Its goal is to move conflict sensitivity away from reactive and palliative approaches and more deliberate attempts to place peace and conflict dynamics at the forefront of the action and develop peace. Peace responsiveness is thus a lens used at the program design and implementation level to guarantee that peace outcomes are given similar weight as other technical program results.