Peace Education

Statement by Fredrik S.Heffermehl: Nobel´s Peace Prize? Yes … and no

by Fredrik S. Heffermehl

Many see the 2019 Nobel for peace as a humanitarian prize and thus not within Nobel’s intention, but the committee’s announcement does characterize sexual violence as a weapon of war and praises efforts to end such war crimes. The 2018 prize is linked to a major theme of the day, equal rights for women, protection against violence. The committee has often borrowed glory from popular phenomena but accepted our advice that the prize could not be given to MeToo. Continue reading “Statement by Fredrik S.Heffermehl: Nobel´s Peace Prize? Yes … and no”

Denny Tamaki won the gubernatorial elections in Okinawa, Japan

Denny Tamaki won the gubernatorial elections on the 30th of September 2018 in Okinawa. Tamaki, who was previously the secretary general of the Liberal Party, is a candidate that opposes the relocation of a U.S. military base on this Japanese island and opposes the construction of the new base at Henoko. The previous Governor Takeshi Onaga unfortunately passed away earlier this summer. Onaga´s policies included a strong position against the presence of U.S. bases in Okinawa. This island, which is located in one of the most southern prefectures, comprises less than one per cent of Japan´s landmass, but accommodates more than two thirds of the U.S. bases in Japan. Continue reading “Denny Tamaki won the gubernatorial elections in Okinawa, Japan”

IPB Youth Network (IPBYN) Public Event and Working Meeting to “Challenges and Positive Approaches to Peace” in Berlin 21-22 September 2018

By Lorena Schwab de la O, IPB intern

IPBYN, in collaboration with IPB and Scientists for Peace Germany (NatWiss), organised a public event on the topic of “Challenges and Positive Approaches to Peace” at Humboldt University on this year´s international day of peace. Continue reading “IPB Youth Network (IPBYN) Public Event and Working Meeting to “Challenges and Positive Approaches to Peace” in Berlin 21-22 September 2018″

IPB Statement: Solidarity with Okinawa

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) stands in support of the people of Okinawa in their struggle to resist the construction of the U.S. military base at Henoko and the dismantling of the Futemma Base.

The Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution for a nuclear-free and peaceful Japan and the renouncing of the use of force as means of settling international dispute have to enforced and strictly adhered to.

The pursuit for peace and justice of the Okinawa people has to be acknowledged and supported. IPB, with its dedication to the vision of a World Without War, and its main work on disarmament for sustainable development understands the far-reaching, negative implications of the presence of the military bases and calls for the extended involvement of all parties concerned.

Seán MacBride Peace Prize 2018

The International Peace Bureau awards the Seán MacBride Peace Prize every year to a person, or organisation, or movement in recognition of its outstanding work for peace, disarmament, human rights.

This year the IPB Board has chosen the following three winners of the prize:

AHDR (Association For Historical Dialogue and Research) and Home for Cooperation

Helena Maleno

Douglas Roche
 Continue reading “Seán MacBride Peace Prize 2018”

David McReynolds has left us

by Colin Archer

Older members of the IPB family will have vivid memories of David McReynolds, who died on Aug.17th in New York City at the age of 88. David was a committed pacifist and socialist, as well as an accomplished photographer. He was on the War Resisters League staff from 1960 to 1999 and was chair of the War Resisters’ International. He was also a long time member of the US Socialist Party, running for President of the USA in 1980 and 2000 — the first openly gay candidate for President — and for the U.S. Senate from New York in 2004 on the Green Party ticket. His very moving photos reveal (among much else) a lifelong engagement with campaigns against war and oppression; and in favour of disarmament and human rights. He traveled extensively, many times to war-torn countries, once getting arrested in Red Square during an anti-nuclear protest in 1978. David was appointed a consultant to the IPB in the 1990s, and was a reliable source of support in all kinds of ways over the years. Many colleagues have expressed great sadness at his passing. David was an outstanding activist who was both resolute and gentle, never afraid to take a bold stand. He was a radical political thinker and writer, a movement organiser, and especially in his later years, a global networker. His family and friends will be planning a memorial service in the weeks to come. See also New York Times obituary.

Nagasaki Commemoration Rally

by Corazon Fabros, speech at the Rally – Nagasaki Commemoration Day

Friends, I am deeply honored and grateful to speak at our Nagasaki Day Rally. I bring solidarity greetings from the Philippines and from the International Peace Bureau.  This year’s commemoration touched me deeply to hear the calls for unity despite our diversity, and the consolidation of our forces across movements, generations and peoples here in Japan.  And most specially the presence of many young people as we have seen during the Peace March and in this hall this morning. Continue reading “Nagasaki Commemoration Rally”