Moderator: President Martti Ahtisaari
Panellists: Dr. Hans Blix, Prof. Samantha Power, Dr. Bernard Kouchner, H. E. Akufo-Addo

As the Panel’s topic was identifying threats, a natural departure point for discussions was the effectiveness of early warning systems. Some panellists thought that early warning systems are not the issue, instead the problem is identifying which situations of conflict and/or ethnic violence will escalate into genocide. More predictability in this field would be desirable, in order to bridge the gap between information and knowledge.
It was also agreed that early warning systems will not be effective without the political will to take action when potentially genocidal situations arise. It was pointed out that the political calculus for many leaders is not in favour of taking action to intervene in genocidal situations. To change this, leaders must signal to its bureaucracy that human rights issues/genocide are important components of statecraft and must facilitate the discussion of these issues at the highest levels. This would help bridge the gap between knowledge and action.

The panellists also discussed the role of public opinion and civil society to pressure political leaders into putting genocide on the agenda. While they did not negate the importance of politicians taking positive leadership on this issue, the panellists also stressed the responsibility citizens have in forcing their leaders to take action when genocidal situations occur.

One point made was that the focus should be on prevention rather than reaction, and that the international community should be more pro-active. For this to be achieved, countries need to work with each other and with international organizations, not separately.
The concept of neutrality of intervening forces was also touched upon as being problematic, given its consequences both for the perpetrators and victims. One participant stated that neutrality in the midst of a genocidal situation can be equal to complicity.

The role of the media in genocide was raised as an important issue. Panellists agreed that the media could act both as a positive and a negative force. The example of Rwandan radio inciting ethnic violence was brought up as an example of the negative role of the media. Panellists also discussed, however, the positive role the media can play in both as an early warning tool and in putting pressure on politicians to intervene in genocidal situations by drawing attention to the problem and mobilizing public support.
Finally, the issue of the establishment of a rapid reaction force at the international level (possibly within the UN framework) was discussed as one potential solution to the dilemma of intervention that individual states face. One panellist also noted that Chapter VII of the UN Charter needs to be more fully developed and implemented.

The overall theme of the panel discussion centred on the gaps between information and knowledge, and knowledge and action. The participants agreed that it is not the availability of information that is a concern; it is the acknowledgment of the information and readiness to respond that matters.