Freedom from Fear and the United Nations

Alfredo Sfeir-Younis posits that liberation from fear necessitates a deep engagement with the origins of suffering. He argues that fear is rooted in the anticipation of suffering, which itself arises from factors like ignorance, diminished personal and collective power, and the breakdown of interdependence. Sfeir-Younis critiques contemporary economic and social systems for often perpetuating fear to achieve material gains, emphasizing that true freedom requires a fundamental transformation across multiple societal levels. He outlines a series of crucial shifts needed, advocating for a move from competition to cooperation, material accumulation to spiritual growth, and individualistic pursuits to a shared vision of collective well-being. The author positions the United Nations as a key actor in facilitating these global transformations to ultimately achieve a state of freedom from fear.