The New Vision deems as inadequate the mono-dimensional approach of viewing crises solely from the angle of security and seeking solutions exclusively through military means. Such a course does not lead to the resolution of conflicts in a lasting and comprehensive manner. Rather, it promotes short-cut and short-term solutions that increase the vehemence and complexity of ongoing conflicts. Consequently, effective, lasting and comprehensive settlements necessitate a paradigm shift in current approaches.
Peace-building, conflict and post-disaster management necessitate political engagement and the reinvigoration of the time-tested doctrine of multilateralism. They require world leaders to reject unilateral interventions in favor of respecting international legitimacy and advancing long-term solutions in the spirit of mutual recognition, cooperation and dialogue, particularly among representatives of cultures, civilizations and religions. They entail an understanding of political grievances, backwardness and the under-development of societies and their need for good-governance.
Consequently, the New Vision has adopted a multifaceted strategy to solve the underlying reasons to these problems and is working with the international community to promote moderation, modernization and development within the Islamic World. In this regard, the OIC and the IDB will closely coordinate with the recently established UN peace–building Commission in achieving common objectives A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed between the OIC and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and OIC Troikas have become proficient in their rapid response to early warnings to neutralize potential conflicts. OIC Member States contribute heavily to UN Peace Keeping Operations and countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh rank among the largest individual contributors of UN peace-keeping troops.
The OIC has played an active role in recent and ongoing conflicts in Iraq, Somali, Sudan, Palestine, Lebanon, Southern Philippines, Thailand, Cyprus, Jammu and Kashmir and the dispute between Sudan and Chad. Diverse initiatives have been undertaken towards the resolution of the Iraqi conflict including participation by the OIC-SG in the Iraq Compact and the 9th Conference of Iraq’s neighboring countries in Tehran, visits by the OIC Special Envoy to Baghdad, Cairo and Amman to coordinate reconciliation efforts and meetings at the OIC Secretariat among leaders of Iraq’s Sunni and Shiite Sect. The OIC played a pivotal in mediating the conflict between Chad and Sudan resulting in a negotiated settlement in 2006. Efforts continue in Sudan to resolve the situation in Darfur and the OIC-SG has undertaken visits to Khartoum for consultations in this regard. In addition to dispatching a number of OIC delegations to assess the situation in Somalia, the OIC has also actively participated in the Arab League sponsored Peace Talks between the Somali government and the Islamic Courts.
The OIC’s effective and timely response to the most devastating natural disasters in recent years (Kashmir, Indonesia) has established the organization as a major player in post-disaster humanitarian relief efforts. The 2003 tsunami in Indonesia is a case in point where OIC entities and Member States provided US $1.3 billion in aid to the victims – the largest contribution by any group. This overwhelming response is a direct consequence of the organization’s New Vision which calls for cooperation and coordination between individual relief efforts of Islamic States and Islamic civil society institutions on the one hand, and international civil society institutions and organizations on the other.
In Kashmir as in Indonesia, this strategy allowed for the greatest number of OIC Member States to contribute to the relief efforts and allowed for the OIC to coordinate its efforts with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) . These initiatives fall within the broader scheme of Islamic Relief Action and the ICCI, IDB, Islamic Solidarity Fund, Islamic Committee for International Crescent (ICIC) and other regional and national relief agencies and organizations are currently working towards developing a clear strategy to maximize coordination and cooperation.
