Edy Korthals Altes, a former Dutch diplomat, resigned in 1986 from his post as Ambassador in Madrid in connection with his public stand on the arms race. Since then he has been actively engaged in: Peace and Security, Economics, Inter-religious cooperation, and the Spiritual renewal of Europe. In books and articles he is pleading for anew comprehensive concept of security, which is taking into account the development of an apocalyptic destructive potential of modern arms in an interdependent, highly vulnerable world. Unfortunately most governments still cling to the outdated classic concept of security: ”If you want peace, prepare for war”. This is leading to an excessive process of militarization and an absurd priority given to military expenditures, while major world-problems are receiving too little attention. A unique sequence of European posts -Paris, Bonn, Rome, Brussels, Warsaw, The Hague and Madrid - stimulated his interest in European affairs. His book: “Heart and soul for Europe”, gives special attention to the need for a spiritual renewal of Europe. Already during his studies at the Rotterdam School of Economics he developed - as a Protestant Christian - a keen interest in the relation between faith and society; science and religion. |