APPEAL TO THE HEADS OF STATES AND GOVERNMENTS, CIVIL SOCIETY, VETERAN, YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, WORLD PUBLIC

10 May 2014

The participants of the International Scientific Conference «The First World War: Causes, Lessons, Conclusions and Modernity» which was held on 24–26 of April 2014 in Belgrade by the International Advisory Council of Organizations of Reserve Officers and the Club of the Generals and Admirals of Serbia on the occasion of the centenary of the start of the World War One, emphasize that the WWI became a global tragedy that cost millions of lives. More than 70 million people were mobilized for military operations, over 10 million killed, about 20 million of soldiers and officers wounded, while loss of life among civilians was over 11 million people which led to immeasurable social and economical implications and human suffering.

In their studies the Conference speakers give academic analysis of the causes of the outbreak and course of the WWI, and hold it unacceptable to falsify the facts of objective history of this global catastrophe.

In the modern era the globalization has brought a great progress to the humanity, however, it has not resolved many social and economical problems and is fraught with numerous threats to different types of security such as environmental, economic, energy, social and other types of securities. The mankind was plunged into the World War Two and numerous armed conflicts. Today the global peace and security still face threats from national and sectarian extremism and confrontation, international terrorism to full-scale wars.

We, the participants of the Conference, make an appeal to the Heads of States and Governments, non-governmental, veteran, youth organizations and the world public, that today it is critical to do an academic analysis of the causes and results of the War to learn lessons and do everything to prevent new wars and armed conflicts which would be more terrifying and pose a real threat to the existence of the modern civilization.

We believe that all disputes shall be resolved through negotiations, by diplomatic means based on all states’ compliance with the UN Charter, international law, human rights.

In their work the members of the International Advisory Council of Organizations of Reserve Officers are oriented at using their experience and capabilities in countering the threats of the present day.

Belgrade
25 April 2014