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Religions for Peace Campaign for Shared Security includes call to redirect military expenditure + Petition IPB is delighted to report that our colleagues at Religions for Peace (member organisation) have included a specific call to 'Redirect 10% of military expenditure to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.' in their 'Arms Down!' campaign. We encourage everyone to sign their petition which is found at their campaign website. Religions for Peace is the world’s largest multi-religious coalition advancing common action among religious communities for peace. The Religions for Peace Global Youth Network is advancing disarmament for shared security in a year-long campaign launched in November 2009. http://religionsforpeace.org/initiatives/global-youth-network/campaign-for-shared-security/ |
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IPB Nobel Prize Centenary 2010 - an invitation Letter sent to IPB members, Feb. 26. In recent communications we have mentioned the importance of this significant year in IPB’s history. Back in 1910, the IPB was the umbrella group for the national ‘peace societies’ that existed in Europe and beyond. The Nobel Prize was awarded in 1910 to the Bureau as a way of making a tribute – and an encouragement – to the organised peace movement of the day.......... Since those days, IPB and its members have been involved in many of the great peace campaigns and causes of the century. So this is a special moment for IPB, a time to look back at 100 years of peace history, and also to look forward to the challenges of the coming years. We are preparing various events to commemorate this centenary (notably in Oslo and Geneva) – and we will inform you in more detail in the weeks to come. This letter is an invitation to you to plan some programme work in your own country or sector to commemorate the jubilee of this Nobel Peace Prize, one that (in a general sense) we all share.....What we hope is that in all the world’s continents activities will be organised that will help to make IPB’s name known and will inform the public of the work of the peace movement.>>>Full text READ HERE |
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Sean MacBride Prize 2009 - Acceptance speech by peace educator Betty Reardon + other materials “Pragmatic utopianism is a way of thinking about the problematic of global violence which envisions nonviolent alternatives to the present war system, explores multiple possible policy changes and various practical strategies to achieve them. Pragmatic utopians bring serious consideration of how to make the possible probable. It takes fully into account the many obstacles that stand in the way of this change and challenges with reasoned and evidence based analysis the greatest obstacle of all, the prevailing political realism that refuses to see the positive possibilities for peace that could free us from the thrall of the armed conflict that continues to pour out our blood and treasure to feed the power lust that garbs itself as world leadership. While in years past, few but the most visionary and responsible have spoken this truth, peace education seeks to bring it to the consideration of the wider citizenry; not to preach it, to not attempt to inculcate it, but to open it to the probing inquiry and serious reflection of original thought of the kind essential to revealing and ultimately to designing positive political possibilities… I see a strong element of pragmatic utopianism in the awarding the Nobel Prize to von Sutner, MacBride and IPB…” (excerpt – click for the full text) + for the other materials >>>READ MORE |
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Challenging Militarization in a Decade of Crisis Colin Archer, Secretary-General of the International Peace Bureau (editorial introduction to the Jan. 2010 newsletter of the Global Campaign for Peace Education) http://www.peace-ed-campaign.org/newsletter/archives/69.html “The world is over-armed and peace is under-funded. Military spending continues to rise every day. Just one generation after the end of the Cold War, it is now well above US $1 trillion. More weapons are being produced. They are flooding markets around the world. They are destabilizing societies. They feed the flames of civil wars and terror.” (Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General,Opening address to the 62nd Annual DPI/NGO Conference - "For Peace and Development: Disarm Now!" 09 September 2009) Jan. 18, 2010. All this week our screens have been full of powerful images and reports from Haiti. The most appalling, and sudden, large-scale catastrophe, and in a desperately poor country. Immediately - though already too late for many - the international aid community is gearing up for a massive response. The sums seem impressive: $100 million here, $100 million there.... until you remember that the military budget (in major states at least) is counted in billions rather than millions. A thousand times more. So it is a question of priorities. It is a question of politics, and values. >>>READ MORE |
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IPB nominates A-Bomb survivors for Nobel Peace Prize 2010 |
| IPB NEW YEAR VIDEO - HOW WOULD YOU SPEND MILLIONS? As a special media experiment, IPB has decided to promote its Disarmament for Development campaign in a new way. The short clip entitled 'How would you spend millions? was aired as a repeated big-screen advertisement in front of a huge crowd on New Year's Eve (Silvesterzauber) in Zürich. The event itself was carried on New Year's news reports and TV footage carried around the world in locations such as Berlin, London, Sydney, Paris etc. See: http://www.silvesterzauber.ch/webautor-data/29/Silvesterzauber_Infoblatt_E.pdf We are very grateful to our colleagues at Rotor Marketing and Media (http://www.rotor.me.uk)who put this together for us. |
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Arias Foundation endorses IPB's Global Call on Military and Social Spending Jan. 7, 2010. Good news! IPB Secretariat has just received a very positive letter from the Arias Foundation, Costa Rica, endorsing our Call for Action on Military and Social Spending. This Foundation is headed by the President of Costa Rica, Dr. Oscar Arias, winner of the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize. It is with much enthusiasm that the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress endorses this Global Call for Action on Military and Social Spending. We agree strongly that the needs of the world’s poor and developing countries are not being met by developed countries and that excessive spending to purchase and stockpile weapons while the most basic human needs of so many in the world go unmet is an injustice that cannot be allowed to continue. We also support you in calling for action to reduce such spending and directing 10% of those funds to meet the UN´s Millennium Development goals by 2015. It is time that the nations of the world act on the many promises that have been made throughout the years. IPB hopes this latest endorsement will encourage other organisations and institutions to add their voices to this important Call. |
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IPB WASHINGTON CONFERENCE - Nov. - 2009 Speeches and documents - 1st series Representatives of IPB member organisations and other peace movements from 21 countries, as well as individual participants, gathered at Georgetown University in Washington DC on the weekend of November 14-15, 2009 for the annual IPB conference – the first held in the USA since 1904. The conference was followed by the IPB Council, a planning meeting for the nuclear abolition activities at the NPT Review next May, and a day-seminar on military spending. Speeches and/or articles supplied by conference presenters are available HERE. For the photogallery of the Conference click HERE. A second series of materials will be posted here as soon as we have them. |
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Estimated Global Military Spending Since Jan 1, 2009 - $1,213,305,213,712 Estimated costs to provide the following፡- Shelter for every human being: $21,000,000,000; Eliminate ALL Starvation and Malnourishment: $19,000,000,000; Clean Safe Water for every human being: $10,000,000,000; Eliminate ALL Nuclear Weapons: $7,000,000,000; Eliminate ALL Landmines: $4,000,000,000; Eliminate ALL Illiteracy: $5,000,000,000; Relief for Refugees everywhere: $5,000,000,000; Stabilize Human Population Growth: $10,500,000,000; Prevent Soil Erosion Globally: $24,000,000,000; Annual Expenditure of the United Nations system: $15,000,000,000 Estimated Cost to reach the Millenium Development Goals: $121,000,000,000 But to see the military spending at this actual moment - Click this COUNTER |
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'Warfare or Welfare?' and 'Whose Priorities?' now available in Arabic 27 Nov. 2009. IPB is pleased to announce that we now have available our first full length book in Arabic. 'Warfare or Welfare? Disarmament for Development in the 21st century: A human security approach' was published in 2005 but still contains valuable information and analysis on the issues relating to our main programme. See Publications page for other language versions. Text in Arabic HERE 'Whose Priorities?' A guide for campaigners on military and social spending. This book is a follow-up to IPB's earlier volume Warfare or Welfare? . While that work attempted to describe the nature of the problems facing us, the new publication sketches out some approaches to campaigning in opposition to militarism, and offers summary accounts of 18 projects undertaken by civil society groups around the world. Text in Arabic HERE We are most grateful to Mr Latif-Al-Bayati for completing this task. |
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IPB calls on Obama to declare Nobel ceasefire Among the main outcomes of the IPB's annual conference held in the USA was the following Open Letter. Nov. 15, 2009, Washington DC. Dear Mr. President: We have two requests to make of you. In just a few weeks you will travel to Oslo to receive the world’s most distinguished award, the Nobel Peace Prize. In order to underline the solemn nature of this award and the responsibilities it implies, we call on you to declare the week devoted to the award ceremonies (Dec. 4 -11) a period of global cease-fire, initiated by the United States in Afghanistan and elsewhere. It would be an historic step, as was the ‘Christmas Truce’ in the First World War.>>>Read More. Version in Spanish. |
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THE 10th NOBEL PEACE SUMMIT IN BERLIN - 2009 International Peace Bureau was represented at the 10th Nobel Peace Summit in Berlin 9-11 November 2009 by Urban Gibson and Reiner Braun. IPB Vice-President Alyn Ware also attended. The Summit, entitled “Breaking down new walls and building bridges to ensure a World of Human Rights and a World without violence” brought together Nobel laureates who have made a significant contribution in breaking down the walls of conflict, poverty and human rights violations – and building the bridges required for an equitable, sustainable and peaceful world. >>> READ MORE. Click here for a PHOTGALLERY of the Summit. |
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World March for Peace and Nonviolence arrives in Geneva - Nov. 9 |
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Civil Society plans actions at NPT Review, May 2010 Disarm Now! Mobilizing Call of the NPT Review 2010 International Planning GroupFor Nuclear Abolition, Peace and Justice (extract) .......to secure a future for humanity and our planet, to help create the conditions for a world of peace, justice and genuine human security, we urge the 2010 NPT Review Conference to make an unambiguous commitment to begin negotiations on a convention for the time-bound elimination of all nuclear weapons – a Nuclear Weapons Convention. Such a step will not happen without the active encouragement of civil society, giving voice to the yearning of the global majority for a world free from the fear of nuclear annihilation. We urge all those who share this vision to join us in mobilising for the international peace conference in New York on May 1st and the International Day of Action for a Nuclear Free World, in New York and globally, on May 2nd, as well as for the presentation of petition signatures to the United Nations. Full text HERE. To send endorsements / receive more information: write to: npt@ialana.de and JGerson@afsc.org Next planning meeting: WASHINGTON DC, following IPB Conference, Nov 16. (See conf. programme for details) |
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PEACE BUREAU TO AWARD MACBRIDE PEACE PRIZE TO BETTY REARDON |
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IPB VICE-PRESIDENT ALYN WARE WINS RIGHT LIVELIHOOD PRIZE |
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IPB QUESTIONS CHOICE OF OBAMA FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE + OTHER VIEWS Geneva, 9 October 2009. The International Peace Bureau today expressed concern at the announcement of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize since it fails to respect the intentions expressed by Alfred Nobel in his will. Nobel wrote that the Peace Prize is to go to whoever "shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses”. While congratulating the U.S. President on this highest of global awards -- notably for having restored hope to millions concerned about the state of the planet -- the organisation raised numerous questions about the choice >>>SEE: Full IPB Statement HERE; Other views from IPB Community: Alyn Ware; Kevin Martin-Peace Action: |
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New web section: Peace and Law Our Peace and Law section is intended to serve as an introduction to various concepts related to peace and how domestic and international law may be used to implement measures to realize all of the components of peace. Some of these elements include education, tolerance, equality, security, disarmament and development, and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Following the short introduction below, you will find a list of definitions; sub-sections on Peace and Law at the international level, including the role of the United Nations and the issue of peace building, and the national domestic level; and links to more information as well as different national and international civil society campaigns for peace. Edited by Kate Johnson. MORE... |
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IPB launches new book on nuclear costs, Hiroshima Day 2009 |
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Speech by IPB President at World Conference against A & H Bombs, Hiroshima-Nagasaki My speech covers three themes relevant for the World Conference against A and H bombs. First theme: civilians as victims of war, from Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, to the ongoing wars in the world Second theme: How disarmament could help development, and help the many needs in the world, how the military spending could be turned into good, and how much the costs are for nuclear weapons. Third and last, but not the least: How we could strengthen our common resources to influence the NPT review conference in springtime next year. >>>MORE |
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IPB demonstrates at UN, sends message to the Conference on Disarmament, 6 Aug.2009 IPB message to the Conference on Disarmament, 6 Aug.2009 On this occasion we wish to reiterate our deep concern regarding the continuing development of nuclear weapons, both their ‘vertical’ modernisation and their ‘horizontal’ proliferation. We expect from the Conference on Disarmament a speedy agreement on a convention on the total elimination of nuclear weapons, in order that such tragedies as those of Hiroshima and Nagasaki should never be repeated. We request you to kindly transmit this message to the governmental delegates at the CD, in order to encourage them to act on their responsibilities in this direction. Full text in English and French See mini-photogallery from the Geneva rally HERE |
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IPB response to new military spending figures June 2009 Geneva, June 9, 2009. The International Peace Bureau expresses profound concern at the announcement yesterday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute at the launch of its annual Yearbook (www.sipri.org) that world military expenditures in 2008 reached yet another new high. The figure given is $1,464 billion. The US share of this is $607 billion – which is the budget for its basic military operations alone (i.e. not counting the actual costs of its wars in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq). This represents an increase of 4% in real terms compared to 2007, and of 45% since 1999. All regions have seen substantial increases since 1999, except for Western and Central Europe. >>>MORE |
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New IPB Booklet on the Arms Trade Now Available! A new booklet on the arms trade is now available from the International Peace Bureau. The booklet provides general information on how the arms trade works, how it undermines development, and efforts by the international community to get it under control. It also provides a detailed listing of organizations working on the arms trade. Written by IPB intern, Alicia Dueck, the booklet is available for download HERE or you may obtain a printed copy by contacting the IPB office. |
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Warfare or Welfare – Disarmament for Peace & Development Conference in Bangalore, India, (Feb. 10-12, 2009) Some 200 participants turned out to the 3-days conference and protest against the Aero India Defence Fair. The conference concluded by calling for an Arms Trade Treaty and for access to social security in India. Read the report by Celine Nahory who represented the IPB, and the message of the Secretary General. |
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NEW IPB CALL FOR ACTION IPB has drawn up an important Call For Action on military spending which we are distributing very widely. We hope it will resonate with many people's worries about the current financial crisis and the on going mis-appropriation of huge amounts of money. This will be a process. The first round of organisational endorsements will be sent to the upcoming UN conference on Financing for Development. We will then do further outreach in order to reach wide communities around the world, and to stimulate actions at many levels. Please send organisational endorsements to IPB Secretariat. We will collect endorsements well into 2009...>>English version HERE; Version française>> ICI ; Deutsche Version >>HIER;Finnish version>> HERE; Arabic version >>>HERE; Japanese version>>>HERE |