Author: Assistant Coordinator

IPB World Peace Congress: Presentation of the IPB Action Plan 2021-2023

During the last day of the Second IPB World Peace Congress, IPB Co-President, Philip Jennings, presented via Zoom the Action Plan 2021-2023 of the International Peace Bureau. The Action Plan includes a wide range of advocacy activities around several topics such as: Nuclear Weapons, Military expenditure, Common Security and Sustainable Peace.

Download the IPB Action Plan here.

Unite for a Climate of Peace

One set of issues that will not be addressed by governments at COP26 are those connected to militarism, war and prospects for peace. For example, in 2017 the US military alone emitted 59 million tons of greenhouse gasses: equivalent to the emissions of Sweden, Denmark or Portugal. The ‘carbon boot print’ of the world’s military is not up for discussion. We must put it on the agenda.

Continue reading “Unite for a Climate of Peace”

Appeal From Barcelona To The World, To all Peace Movements and Shapers of The Future

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.

Continue reading “Appeal From Barcelona To The World, To all Peace Movements and Shapers of The Future”

Mediterranean Declaration at the Second World Peace Congress

Barcelona, 17th October 2021

From the International Peace Congress, we feel committed to the rising global wave of civic activism and the powerful new generation of youth activists across the globe facing the global challenges. While here in Barcelona, we would like to take this opportunity to revisit the challenges in this Mediterranean Sea, observe the changes and encourage the action, support it, and call for more cooperation and human solidarity. We need as well to understand the interconnected causes of the conflicts in this area, as we pledge to achieve a peaceful transformation to all conflicts through our joint effort.

Continue reading “Mediterranean Declaration at the Second World Peace Congress”

Indigenous Peoples Declaration at the Second World Peace Congress

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

Continue reading “Indigenous Peoples Declaration at the Second World Peace Congress”

The IPB Youth Network Statement for the II World Peace Congress

Barcelona – October 17th, 2021

Good afternoon, congress participants,

We want to thank you for your participation in this conference, and appreciate the opportunity to address you here.

The IPBYN – created in 2016, at the first IPB World Congress – is a collaborative platform for young people that have the common vision of building a climate of peace in this world. We are a global, inclusive, and open network striving for a peaceful and just future for all. We believe that youth, children, and future generations are not only currently the object of violence and injustice, but they are also part of the solution to such problems. As a network we build on the purpose and mission of the IPB, growing a voice for the agency of youth in facing ever increasing global challenges.

Continue reading “The IPB Youth Network Statement for the II World Peace Congress”

The IPB Recognizes Black Lives Matter with the Sean MacBride Peace Prize

Black Lives Matter has been recognized by the International Peace Bureau’s (IPB) Steering Committee for the movement’s dedication and work to create a world where Black lives can thrive. On the second day of the World Peace Congress in Barcelona, Rev. Karlene Griffiths Sekou, community minister, scholar and activist and Director of Healing Justice and International Organizing, received the award in the representation of the social movement.

“Black liberation and complete freedom has always been our vision at Black Lives Matter. Our movement is not one moment in time — it’s a constant reminder to eradicate white supremacy, upend racist policies and topple oppressive systems. At its core, our movement also works to envision and create space that centers Black art, culture, and joy. I am reminded by the words of Black scholar Ruthie Gilmore who noted that abolition is presence, not absence, and it’s about building life-affirming institutions that allow all of us to thrive”, she said.

“Since its founding eight years ago, BLM has remained rooted in its community leaders, local advocates, and young activists. They are the ones that marched the streets, uplifted individuals and families impacted by unjust policies, and tirelessly advocated to make sure our voices are heard in the Halls of Congress. Our movement continues because our young and local leaders have and continue to lead our movement together in struggle and unceasingly. We know the world is watching us. We thank the International Peace Bureau for recognizing us, and thank the community leaders, local activists, and the ancestors, who fuel the unrelenting will of our movement and inspire us to reimagine a world for our children and for future Black generations to come”, she added.

Every year the IPB awards the Sean MacBride Peace Prize to a person or organization that has done outstanding work for peace, disarmament and/or human rights.

The ceremony held on the 16th of October gathered more than 70 attendees including remarkable peace activists and personalities, including Jeremy Corbyn and Binalakshmi Nepram.