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Arctic Council – what and where to?Arctic Council – too important to be squeezed between the great powers!

Author: Ingeborg Breines

Norwegian peace educator, former director in UNESCO and former president of the International Peace Bureau/IPB

There are many reasons to pay close attention to what is happening in the far north. The Arctic is attracting strong international interest as global warming and melting ice open up for more fishing, more drilling of oil and gas and hunt for minerals on the seabed. In addition, there is increased shipping, especially in the Northeast Passage, with faster trade and transport opportunities between the West and the Far East.

Support the Emergency Humanitarian Response in Goma, North Kivu

The humanitarian situation in Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo has reached critical levels, and urgent intervention is needed to support the most vulnerable populations. Over 1.7 million people in North Kivu are displaced, with many living in dire conditions without access to basic services. Women, children, and the elderly are suffering from extreme food insecurity, lack of healthcare, and inadequate shelter. The constant threat of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) makes Goma one of the most dangerous places for women and girls.

Doomsday Clock Set at 89 Seconds to Midnight

January 28, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Science and Security Board (SASB) has set the Doomsday Clock at 89 seconds to midnight, marking the closest it has ever been in its 78-year history. This historic adjustment underscores the alarming trajectory of global risks and highlights the urgent need for immediate, collective action to avert catastrophe.

Sierra Leone: New Anti-Democratic Law to Silence Critics

By: Africanist Press | 23 January 2024

The Sierra Leone Parliament has recently endorsed a controversial Counter Terrorism Act, which threatens the fundamental civil rights of citizens and grants sweeping powers to the state to silence opposition. This legislation, passed with little public consultation, could criminalize free speech, labeling dissent as terrorism. Its provisions target journalists, academics, and any individuals or groups the government deems a threat to national security. This bill is seen as a direct assault on freedoms of expression and academic inquiry in Sierra Leone.

Podcast Episode: Community Voices: IPB Calls for Unity and Peace in Liberia’s House of Representatives

By: Africanist Press

In this episode, Africanist Press, with Tyson Smith Berry Jr., IPB Council Member, explores critical issues in Liberia. The IPB has urged members of Liberia’s House of Representatives to unite and address the ongoing parliamentary deadlock that has stalled legislative activities since October 2024.

Tyson delves into the petition, emphasizing the importance of unity and peace in the Liberian House of Representatives and highlighting why collaboration between the Reform and Loyalist Blocs is crucial for the country’s future.

Listen now:

1. To listen on Spotify, click here.

2. To listen on Amazon, click here.

Join the movement! Sign our urgent call for action in Liberia to support unity and progress. Together, we can make a difference.

https://bit.ly/signthecall-Liberia

We thank you, Africanist Press for this collaboration.

In Memoriam: Federico Mayor Zaragoza

“We must move from the law of the jungle to that of understanding, dialogue, and listening, to the conviction that people understand each other by talking”

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) deeply mourns the passing of close friend and dedicated culture of peace advocate Federico Mayor Zaragoza. As Director of UNESCO from 1987 until 1999, he centered the importance of education as a tool for development, peace and human security. In 2000, he founded the Fundación Cultura de Paz, dedicated to promoting a culture of peace and building dialogue and understanding between cultures and peoples, emphasizing the importance of gender equality and women’s involvement in a culture of peace. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on several occasions, including by IPB.

For IPB, Federico represented a beacon of hope for peace and international cooperation and we were proud to work with him frequently over the years. In 1999, his speech at the Hague Appeal for Peace Conference opened up doors for international partnership with UNESCO on the Global Campaign for Peace Education. He welcomed IPB into the Ubuntu Civil Society Network and helped organized our 2016 and 2021 World Peace Congresses in Berlin and Barcelona. His speeches inspired – but even more, they provided hope and concrete actions for a more peaceful future.

We honor his legacy and his lifetime of contributions to peace, justice, and cultural dialogue. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable life.

Federico Mayor, December 2024

“We, the peoples, have resolved to save future generations from the scourge of war”. – UN Charter

When everything appeared

indecipherable, irreversible,

dark and meaningless,

radiantly arose in every human being

the light of the extraordinary mystery

of life

Suddenly, renewed hope

on new paths

on a personal and collective scale.

Now, duty of memory, for urgent action.

Now, at last, the power of the word

and never again that of arms.

Now, yes now, “we, the peoples”,

equal in dignity.

Introducing Austria’s First Peace Atlas: A Pathway to Peace

Austria has taken a significant step forward in promoting peace with the launch of its first-ever Peace Atlas (Friedensatlas Österreich), a groundbreaking civil society project. This evolving initiative serves as a beacon for those seeking practical examples of nonviolent resistance, successful peace projects, and essential information on organizations dedicated to peace, human rights, environmental protection, women’s rights, and social justice.

The Peace Atlas is more than just a directory; it’s a collection of “Best Practices of Peace”. It maps out inspiring peace-promoting actions across Austria, such as acts of nonviolent resistance, transformative educational programs, legal reforms, and environmental initiatives. The Atlas highlights the deep connections between peace, social justice, the fair treatment of migrants, gender equality, and climate protection.

By showcasing these examples, the Peace Atlas aims to inspire individuals to incorporate peace-promoting actions into their daily lives and develop their projects for a more just and harmonious world. Organizations like AbFaNG and others are available to support those ready to embark on this path.

Explore the Peace Atlas and take the first step towards making peace a reality. Visit: www.friedensatlas.at

Give Peace a Chance!

In Memoriam: Fritz Edlinger

Austrian publicist, author, and peace activist | 1948-2024

With AbFaNG and the peace activists’ families, we mourn the passing of Fritz Edlinger, a dedicated journalist, author, and passionate advocate for peace, who left us on December 4th. As the editor of the magazine International and a committed left-wing social democrat, Fritz worked tirelessly to amplify voices and promote understanding, particularly in the Arab world.

His unwavering dedication extended to supporting cultural initiatives and advocating for a peaceful and just world. Even in his final days, Fritz remained deeply engaged in his mission, speaking at the opening of the Palestinian Film Week in Vienna, a project he organized.

We honor his legacy and his lifetime of contributions to peace, justice, and cultural dialogue. Fritz’s voice and vision will be deeply missed, but his work will continue to inspire us.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable life.

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Civil Society Statement on Nuclear Weapons Prohibition

By: Ukrainian Pacifist Movement, Released on October 23, 2024

On October 23, 2024, a statement was released by civil society organizations emphasizing the urgent need to prohibit nuclear weapons and denouncing the Kremlin’s nuclear blackmail. Published in both Ukrainian and English, the statement underscores the importance of upholding Ukraine’s historical commitment to remaining a nuclear-free state.

The Ukrainian Movement of Pacifists strongly reaffirms Ukraine’s adherence to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and condemns any discourse advocating for the development of nuclear weapons within Ukraine. This statement serves as a call to honor Ukraine’s obligations under international law and resist all forms of nuclear speculation, which jeopardize global peace and security.

Read the full statement in Ukrainian and English:

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