THE UN AND THE ROLE OF SECURITY AGENCIES IN PROMOTING PEACE.

THE UN AND THE ROLE OF SECURITY AGENCIES IN PROMOTING PEACE.

  Perhaps it is time for the United Nations and the international community to take a fresh look at the role of professional security agencies in preventing conflict and promoting peace. 

 When civilian politicians take power through elections, there is sometimes a dangerous misunderstanding of the relationship between political leadership and security institutions. 

Some may begin to see the police, military and other lawful security agencies simply as servants of the government of the day—institutions expected to carry out every instruction given to them. 

Sadly, security institutions themselves may sometimes come to understand their role in the same way. 

 But a professional security agency is not established to serve an individual, a political party or a particular administration. 

Its fundamental responsibility is to serve the • nation, 

• the Constitution, 

• the law and 

• the legitimate security interests of the people. 

Where the law requires allegiance to the Head of State, that allegiance must be understood within the constitutional and legal framework that defines the powers and responsibilities of that office. 

 This distinction matters greatly for peace. 

 Think about what happens whenever

-  human security is threatened.

-  When an individual is assaulted, 

-robbed 

- or unlawfully deprived of their rights,

 security agencies are often among the first institutions called upon to respond. 

- When organized crime threatens a community, 

they investigate and intervene. 

- When one nation believes another has violated its security or territorial interests, security institutions are often the first to

 gather information, 

assess the threat 

and establish what actually happened.

 In many ways, security agencies are among humanity's first witnesses when peace is threatened. 

 Their work should therefore be understood not merely as enforcing the wishes of those currently in political office, but as protecting the legal order ( Nationally and Internationally) within which governments themselves operate. 

 This does not mean that security agencies should become political actors or replace elected civilian institutions.

 Quite the opposite. Their professionalism requires them to remain within the Constitution and the law, while civilian authorities retain their LEGITIMATE CONSTITUTIONAL responsibilities.

 But it also means that security agencies should be SUFFICIENTLY PROFESSIONAL, INDEPENDENT and ACCOUNTABLE to tell the truth about security realities—even when that truth is inconvenient to those in power. 

 At the international level, there may also be opportunities for security institutions from different countries to communicate professionally, verify facts, prevent misunderstandings and de-escalate tensions before political disagreements become armed conflicts.

 Their professional assessments and lawful cooperation should not automatically be dismissed simply because they do not originate from politicians. 

If in their opinion  they agree to give the two sides more time to ion out differences, the civilian authority should not mistake it for rebellion or usurping their power. 

 Peace is not created only in presidential offices, parliamentary chambers or diplomatic meetings. 

It is also protected every day by the people and institutions entrusted with maintaining law and order. 

 Perhaps the world needs to see security agencies not simply as instruments of power, but as guardians of constitutional order, public safety and peace—institutions whose professionalism, integrity, accountability and lawful judgment can help prevent conflicts before they become wars. 

 The goal should never be security agencies ruling society.

 Neither should it be politicians commanding security institutions as personal instruments. 

 The goal should be lawful civilian government working with professional, accountable security institutions to protect people, uphold the rule of law and preserve peace. 

 Elijah Mutua Kirima.

 Social Worker. 

THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WILL OF GOD.

SOCIAL WORKER AS A BREAKER OF BYSTANDER APATHY AND OTHER SOCIAL EVILS.

SOCIAL WORKER AS A BREAKER OF BYSTANDER APATHY AND OTHER SOCIAL EVILS.

  Bystander apathy in psychology refers to a situation where, during an emergency or humanitarian crisis, there are many witnesses around, but no one takes action. Everyone assumes that someone else will act, and so everyone keeps waiting for someone else to take the first step.

 Sometimes, a person may even become angry with the person they believe should have acted first. 

 This situation is also true when dealing with vulnerable people in society. 

 THE SOCIALIZATION THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THIS.

 Growing up, many of us are taught to "mind your own business" and "don't get yourself entangled in things that don't concern you." If it is an accident, a person may fear the sight of blood, worry that an overturned vehicle on a hill could overturn again, or fear that if people begin stealing from the scene, they may somehow be associated with the stealing. 

 If it is an attack, people may fear for their lives at that moment or even fear retaliation later.

 When it is a humanitarian crisis or a vulnerable person in need, there can also be fears and social questions associated with intervention:

 "Why are you helping these people when there are needs in your own family?"

 "Is there a romantic relationship between the helper and the person being helped?"

 Such questions can discourage people from doing what is right. 

 THE NEED FOR A SOCIAL WORKER.

  The Social Worker is highly trained to place the safety and wellbeing of people in need above cultural barriers and other social considerations,

 while also understanding the need for safe and appropriate intervention. 

 A Social Worker can quickly assess a situation, 

identify the need,

 mobilize appropriate support,

 and help people access the right services and interventions. 

 Social Workers are also trained to help people resolve conflicts, recognize the need for involvement, and respond quickly and humanely to social problems. 

 SOCIAL WORKERS CAN RE-SOCIALIZE COMMUNITIES TO NOTICE AND ACT.

  Social Workers can help communities develop a keen eye for noticing people and situations that require special attention and appropriate action. 

 A simple form of empowerment—that when a person notices that someone needs immediate attention, they should not simply wait for others but take responsibility for initiating appropriate support—can help save lives and improve many people's wellbeing.

 This does not mean that everyone must personally handle every emergency. Sometimes the most responsible action is to call the police, ambulance, fire service, medical professionals, child-protection services, community leaders, or another appropriate authority. 

 What matters is not waiting for somebody else to act when you can safely initiate the help. 

 WE ARE ALL OUR FELLOW HUMANS' KEEPERS.

  Social Workers can empower communities to understand that, while one may not be the recognized authority to handle a particular situation, we all have at least the human responsibility to care, respond, or initiate help.

 A healthier society is one where people do not simply see suffering and walk away because they assume someone else will deal with it. 

 Breaking bystander apathy is therefore not only about responding to emergencies.

 It is also about building communities where people notice vulnerability, care about one another, and take appropriate action.

 ELIJAH MUTUA KIRIMA. 

SOCIAL WORKER. 

 THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WILL OF GOD.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER TRAINING BEFORE JOINING THE WORKPLACE OR MINISTRY.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER TRAINING BEFORE JOINING THE WORKPLACE OR MINISTRY

Some people may not see the value and importance of proper training before entering the workplace or ministry. Yet, even when there were no modern schools as we know them today, the Old Testament shows that there were communities or schools for the sons of the prophets.

2 Kings 6:1–2

“The company of the prophets said to Elisha, ‘Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.’ And he said, ‘Go.’”

SOME PEOPLE DON'T SEE THE NEED FOR WELL-TRAINED CHURCH MINISTERS OR WORKERS

To them, the following are some of the reasons they don't see the need for training:

1. Belief that calling, natural talent, and personal devotion are enough to serve effectively.
To them, God-given talents and passion replace the need for structured instruction and preparation.

2. Lack of resources — especially money.
Some people would like to pursue training but cannot afford the required fees, books, transport, accommodation, or other costs.

3. Time constraints.
Some feel too busy with work, family, or existing church responsibilities to commit themselves to additional classes or training programs.

4. Perceived irrelevance.
Some view standard training programs as overly academic, outdated, or disconnected from practical, everyday work or ministry.

5. Satisfaction with their current status.
Some assume that their present level of knowledge or past experience means they already do a “good enough” job and therefore do not need further training.

6. The “call is enough” mindset.
Some argue that the Holy Spirit's guidance or a direct calling is the only true prerequisite for leadership and service. They may believe that because their abilities are God-given, they do not need further human training.

WHY PROPER TRAINING IS NECESSARY FOR MINISTRY AND WORK

1. Enhanced skills.
Proper training provides practical abilities that can make you better, more effective, and more efficient in your work or ministry.

2. Sharpened expertise.
Training helps you serve people better. When people benefit from what you do and are treated competently, it can reduce dissatisfaction, misunderstandings, and unnecessary conflicts.

3. Higher confidence.
Knowing how to use the right tools or handle difficult tasks reduces stress and gives you greater confidence. You do not have to make serious mistakes with people first before learning what you should have known beforehand. Proper training allows you to be prepared before serving the first person or performing the first task.

4. Adaptability.
Training keeps you prepared for new technologies, changing circumstances, and developments in your profession or ministry so that your skills do not become outdated.

5. Productivity.
Well-trained workers generally make fewer mistakes, waste less time, and complete tasks more efficiently.

6. Higher retention.
When companies and ministries invest in learning and development, employees and ministers can feel valued and better prepared to serve. On-the-job learning without proper foundations can sometimes produce improper attitudes, poor practices, damaged relationships, and fear of trying new things.

7. Stronger leadership.
Training programs can help organizations identify and develop people with the ability to take on future leadership responsibilities.

8. Stronger and more compelling relevance.
A skilled team is better prepared to respond to changes and challenges in the workplace or ministry. Competence also strengthens the credibility of an organization and reduces legitimate reasons for people to question its effectiveness.

THE BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

There is a very interesting instruction in the Bible concerning the construction of the temple:

1 Kings 6:7

“In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.”

The temple site was quiet and peaceful because the work that would have caused all the noise had been done somewhere else.

That is one of the beautiful pictures of what training does.

Training prepares the worker before the actual work begins. It allows mistakes to be corrected, skills to be developed, and people to learn how to work together before they are placed in situations where their mistakes can affect others.

Proper preparation can therefore bring greater order and peace during actual work or ministry because the worker has been prepared somewhere else and is now ready to fit into the team.

2 Timothy 2:15

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

The biblical principle is clear: God's calling does not eliminate the need for preparation.

WE SHOULD ALL DESIRE PROPERLY TRAINED LEADERS AND WORKERS

If we are choosing leaders or workers, we should desire people who are properly prepared. And if we are the ones being called to serve, we should seek to become as well-trained and competent as possible.

In this temporary life, if you were told that a surgeon was not properly trained, you would not want him or her to perform surgery on you or your child.

If you knew that a pilot was not properly trained, you would probably not want to board that pilot's plane.

How much more should we value proper preparation in those who handle matters affecting eternity and who make daily decisions that affect people's lives, families, work, relationships, and destinies?

Calling is important.
Passion is important.
Natural ability is important.
Spiritual devotion is important.

But proper preparation is also important.

We should not wait until we are already serving people to discover what we should have learned before serving them.

Let us desire trained leaders. Let us support training. And let us seek to be properly prepared for whatever responsibility God has entrusted to us. zeal is a wonderful thing, but it must be based on proper knowledge.
Romans 10:2
[2]For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.

ELIJAH MUTUA KIRIMA.
PASTOR.
THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WILL OF GOD.