Date/Time
Date(s) - Saturday - Jul 7, 2018 - Sunday - Jul 8, 2018
10:00 am - 6:30 pm
Categories No Categories
Brussel 2018, July 8th 10 am to 6:30 pm
Institut libre Marie Haps, Brussels
First Program Counter Summit: “No to war – no to NATO”
Introduction
As the world becomes more dangerous, the need for discussions and actions for peace has never been more vital. With militarism on the rise, the need for a global people’s alternative – of justice, sustainability and peace – has never been more urgent.
NATO is pressing its members to spend 2% of GDP on military budgets to fund wars and aggression. Since last year increased military spending became an obligation for most EU members in the framework of PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation), even though EU member states submit to strict austerity policies. How can we organize more effective opposition and new strategies for conversion? Are questions we want to discuss at the counter summit.
In addition, NATO’s role as a nuclear-armed alliance continues, with B61 nuclear bombs, currently being upgraded to the B61-12, to make them more ‘usable’. A nuclear free world is our vision and dream. The ban treaty creates new opportunities for the peace movement to discuss.
NATO’s expansion is against international security. This continued expansion has contributed to international tension as Russia sees itself increasingly surrounded by US and NATO bases. What needs to be done for a new politics of common security in the 21st century?
There are more questions than answers. The counter summit will be a good possibility for an intensive, solidarity and controversial discussion.
You are welcome to join this International Peace Conference and to participate in the plenary lectures, workshops, podium discussions, and many more activities. This is an opportunity to meet other peace-loving people from NATO and other countries.
Program of the counter summit:
10.00 Welcome
Ludo De Brabander (Vrede, Belgium) / Kristine Karch (No-to-War No-to-Nato, Germany)
10.30 “Give the victims of NATO a face”.
Testimonials of victims of NATO aggressions by video and speeches
11.15 – 12:30 Opening plenary:
NATO: global military alliance for war, intervention and military spending
Joseph Gerson (AFSC, USA)
The role and importance of enemy pictures
Anne Morrelli (prof. ULB, Belgium)
European Militarization (PESCO) & military spending (2%)
Sabine Lösing (MEP, GUE/NGL, Germany)
Nuclear weapons: the biggest danger
Arielle Denis (ICAN, IPB, France)
Women and war (working title)
Maria Butler (WILPF, USA)
Every lecture 10 minutes, followed by a discussion between the speakers and the participants.
12.30 – 1.30 Plenary: information to actions and campaigns against NATO and military spending
Three minutes each plus one-minute question
Moderation: Kate Hudson (CND, UK); Reiner Braun (IPB, Germany)
1.30 – 2.15 lunch break
2.15 – 3.45 Workshops
The workshops combine analytic elements with the discussion of strategies and actions. Most workshops will be in English, with (limited) translations when possible. Simultaneous translations in workshop h.
- NATO strategy and abolition of NATO,
including disarmament, nuclear weapons free world - Europe of Peace
- Women and war: white masculine military culture and its implications for the rest of humankind
- Drones and automatization of weapons
- Arms export
- Military bases
- Future actions for Peace,
including preparation of NATO actions 2019 - Nuclear weapons: Nouvelle Bombe & Nouvel Bombardier | New Bomb & New Bomber
4.00 till 6.00 final session
Reports from the working groups with the focus on: what to do (max. 20 min.)
Podium discussion:
“Future non-violent actions against war, NATO and militarization – for peace, justice and disarmament”
Discussion about common activities including EU elections, NATO anniversary 2019, end of World War I, modernization of nuclear weapons and B61, no to fighter jets F 35, and 2% of GDP for military spending
Panelists:
Pat Elder (World Beyond War, USA) | Oleg Bodrov, (Russia) | Katrien Neyt (ABVV/FGTB, Belgium) | Édith Boulanger (Non à l’OTAN, Non à la guerre, France) | Ewa Groszewska (Poland) | Reiner Braun (IPB, Germany)
6.00 closing remarks
Ludo De Brabander (Vrede Belgium) / Kristine Karch (No-to-War No-to-Nato, Germany)
Logistical information
Counter summit “No to war – No to NATO”
Brussels 2018, July 8th, 10 am to 6:30 pm
Institut libre Marie Haps
Aarlenstraat / rue d’Arlon,11 – 1050 Brussels- Belgium
Metro: 2 & 6 – stop Troon
Bus: E – AUDERGHEM Herrmann-Debroux – stop Ixelles Luxembourg
& Bus 34, 38, 80, 95 – stop Luxembourg
The participation fees (coffee and a small lunch included) are €10/pp and €5/pp students and solidary tarif. This will have to be paid at the entrance.