Barcelona, 17th October 2021
The world stands at a historically unique crossroads – either the abyss of nuclear, ecological, and social disaster or a common, just, demilitarized and environmentally sustainable future.
14,000 nuclear weapons threaten humanities existence and with heightening tensions between big powers, the danger of their actual use is increasing, while $2 trillion in weapons spending kills each day. With their massive daily death toll, small arms are weapons of mass destruction.
The warming of the planet endangers life for untold millions; the environment – the foundation of all life – is being destroyed, burned, poisoned, and exterminated. Civilization is in danger
Hundreds of millions of people are starving. Masses languish in poverty with little hope for the future in massive slums, billions struggle to survive without work, and the social catastrophes reinforced by greed, racism, and sexism are devastating.
We cannot tolerate or be complicit in these deadly realities!
RE-IMAGINE OUR WORLD AND ITS FUTURE
Re- Remember and honor the Russell-Einstein Manifesto of 1955: “We appeal, as human beings, to human beings: Remember your humanity, and forget the rest. If you can do so, the way lies open to a new Paradise; if you cannot, there lies before you the risk of universal death.”
We are not helpless. We can save the planet and create a life-affirming future. It is in our hands, – those of people of everywhere! We face a stark choice: whether we seek to achieve peace by the threat or use of nuclear weapons and arms races or by establishing a world without nuclear weapons and with disarmament — It is our responsibility to make the right choice. The recent entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is our significant achievement. And we are witnessing great mobilization, above all of young people, across the world to save the planet from climate crisis. They are the greatest source of our hope for the future.
Wars are not a natural phenomenon. They are planned and inflicted by humans. Humans can end all wars, abolish the institution of war, and eliminate all nuclear weapons. This is our responsibility.
The fundamental principle of solving international conflicts through peaceful means, based on the U.N. Charter and international law, should be strictly observed.
Profit, greed, and our daily disregard for the environment are destroying the world’s beauty and life-giving potential. We can overcome the profit system and together and create ecologically just societies. Economies must serve only the people. Another, better world is possible: People living happier lives, more frugal in the use of resources, and in harmony with nature. This is our responsibility.
Social justice is the ancient hope and right of humankind, it can be realized. Also as our indigenous sisters and brothers teach us, if fairly distributed, there is enough for all. Destructive competition and the thoughtless brutality of the privileged and powerful is unacceptable. Living in solidarity with each other across all differences and borders, spells justice for all. It is our responsibility.
Let us re-imagine – as John Lennon and Yoko Ono sang in their anthem: Imagine!
Peace in the world, global justice, and a life-supporting environment are possible. We can bring them into being.
The world we need and deserve will not fall as mana from Heaven.
We must work and organize for our future, countless times, together, across all borders – and in solidarity. Participatory democracy is the breath of justice and transformation. Thus we resolutely reject all forms of authoritarianism and right-wing repressive radicalism.
We rise to this challenge by:
Strengthening the worldwide peace movement and commit again to envisioning and organizing great common actions for a world without nuclear weapons, war, injustice and a poisoned planet.
We will act together in unity with social movements, trade unions religious
Communities, which are powerful forces for change, of creation, and survival.
We appeal to the world’s politicians – everywhere: give up old patterns of thinking and dependencies. Act now, with urgency and more comprehensively than before for peace, disarmament, justice, and the climate
We will build pressure! Our actions will be decisive.
Re imagine our future!
Presented by Reiner Braun, IPB Executive-Director, at the World Peace Congress held in Barcelona, 2021.
Download the pdf version of the declaration in English and French.