The Archbishop of York..[Tuesday this week] gave an address at the Medact Conference at the University of York on the title ‘Preventing War and Violence – the democratic and civic challenges of peacebuilding’. The address follows in full.
It is good to take part in this conference on building security and peace, and to see these issues framed here as health priorities. Wellbeing and human flourishing.
The union of peace and health gives us hope for our global future, whereas, there is a lethalbond between war and sickness. This is seen nowhere more clearly than in the conflict in Yemen, where tribal war has escalated into a proxy war between more powerful antagonists.
Devastating cholera and famine have resulted with little hope of a resolution in either health or peace.
I stand before you as someone who has first-hand experience of violent conflict, and have seen its roots and causes as well as its results. I am also here as a Christian focus of unity in the Church of England, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and part of the church of Jesus Christ in all the world.