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REGIONAL INSTITUTE OF PEACE AND SECURITY STUDIES (RIPSS) BACKGROUND The basic concept and
the inspiration behind the Regional Institute of Peace and Security Studies (RIPSS) are drawn from the hypothesis that there can be no enduring confrontation and conflict between the countries of the region
extending from Central to West and South Asia. Despite the long history of conflicts and warfare the establishment of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has achieved an environment of inter-state
peace and tranquility and economic progress in that part of Asia. China and Japan, although Asian countries, are at an advanced stage of economic achievements at par with Europe and the United States. The South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation can be made to play the same role. Although it seems difficult to rule out war from human affairs completely, there is already a progressive shifting of the emphasis from
war-oriented to peace-oriented politics and economics. The forms of warfare still plausible are terrorism or civil wars or a devastating global holocaust. The well-known Clausewitzian dictum that "war is the
continuation of politics by other means" should now yield to place the dictum that competitive economy is the contribution of war by other means. in the context of globalization. Economy and ecology are and would
be the two principal concerns of nations, large and small, in the future. While economy covers both the fiscal and political aspects, ecology extends from natural environment to health care, sanitation, education,
population planning and other forms of human development. AGENDA RIPSS
will concern itself with the issues of peace, security, economy and ecology. Its main focus will be South Asia, especially India and Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean littorals. Twins at birth, the two countries have known no real peace through over fifty years of their existence as independent nations. The establishment of real and enduring peace based on respect for each other's territorial sovereignty, national integrity and economic well-being, preferably within the framework of SAARC, ECO etc. is the need of the 21
st century.RIPSS
has also set itself the bridge-building task between the Asia-Pacific Region, South and Central Asia. The process unleashed by Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has already brought Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrghstan and Tajikistan in one conceptual security/economic framework. The process holds out the promise for much of the rest of Asia to mobilize and pool their human, intellectual and academic resources for greater understanding of one another's problems and suggest prospective solutions at an academic level.
OBJECTIVES As a research and policy-oriented
think tank based in the industrial and commercial hub of Pakistan, i.e. Karachi, RIPSS will strive to accomplish following objectives:-
- To conduct seminars and workshops on themes critical to the regions of, Central, West and South Asia.
- To embark on research studies which could have policy implications. Issues covering the broad themes of traditional and non-traditional security paradigms would be highlighted in the pursuance of research
objectives by the RIPSS.
- To help create awareness in Pakistan in different segments of society on the role which research institutions can play in resolving security issues.
- To promote independent and rational thinking in Pakistani society about issues of comprehensive security.
- To interact with research and policy-oriented institutions in Central, South and West Asia involved in the shaping of strategic perceptions on critical issues of human survival.
Methodology
Pro-active approach will be followed in the course of pursuing the objectives of RIPSS. This would include networking with concerned individuals and institutions of Central, West and South Asia doing
research on the traditional and non-traditional issues of peace and security. Research training and expertise will also be offered under the auspices of RIPSS to the individuals of Pakistan.
Activities Periodic seminars and workshops on themes related to
regional peace, security, conflict resolution and confidence-building measures will be organized by RIPSS
and with the collaboration of various research think tanks. Monographs and books will also be published so as to effectively contribute to the literature on themes relevant to RIPSS. Executive Director
Brig (Retd) A. R. Siddiqui
16-B, 7th Central Street
Defense Housing Authority
Phase-2, Karachi.
Tel: 5894074
Fax: 5802396
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