Steve Sachs
Numerous U.S. peace organizations have been mobilizing for policies that counter global warming, and protect the environment, in addition to opposing the Bush administrations occupation of Iraq and threatening to attack Iran. This includes “Global Exchange (http://www.globalexchange.org) and Codepink (www.codepinkalert.org). Global exchange has been calling for an immediate moratorium on U.S. incentives for agrofuels, U.S. agroenergy monocultures and global trade in agrofuels, because “the increasing use of corn for fuel puts less on your plate, takes more out of your wallet, and doesn’t necessarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions (http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ZAmm26MDmoNNt862r4jY2FvrOscYHdeq). The organization’s freedom from Oil campaign “promotes a clean green energy economy for all Greening the blue-collar economy.” In January, Global Exchange held a youth rally outside the International Auto Show for green cars and green jobs, holding “The auto industry, as one of the top employers of blue-collar jobs, has a responsibility to streamline green from producer to product to purchaser. As Van Jones, a leading member in the green jobs movement said, ‘The new green economy being developed needs to lift all boats, not just the ones that already have spanking new oars, benches and no holes.’” Also, in Januaty, Global Exchange participated in a national teach-in, called Focus the Nation, that engaged U.S. students and communities with political leaders and decision makers to address global warming solutions. “The event served as a catalyzing force to help shift the national conversation about global warming towards a determination to face this global challenge.” The event involved over 1,800 higher and secondary education institutions, faith groups, civic organizations and businesses.
The same is true around the world. For example, The Nepalese Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES) expressed serious concern, in January, over the effect of climate change and global warming, submitting a 10-point suggestion to the government of Nepal for taking necessary steps for the conservation of the environment. It suggested that the government formulate a national plan of action and implement it to control the effect of climate change and global warming and for continued reforestation to minimize the green house effect. The proposal also called on the government to include peace education, environmental education along with human rights in the syllabus and it is necessary to publicize to the population. For more visit: http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/content.php?nid=34094.
A leading Japanese newspaper reported, in late January, that petitions from 90,000 Avaaz members to the Bali Climate Change Summit helped change Japan’s policy on climate change. The paper stated that at a critical, high-level meeting on global warming, the Environment Minister held up Avaaz’s “Titanic” newspaper ad from the Bali summit–showing Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda, with Bush, steering towards climate disaster… along with a call for tough 2020 emissions targets, signed by 90,000 Avaaz members. “The world sees Japan as a force resisting change! Are we okay with this?” the minister asked. The Chief Cabinet Minister suggested setting a target. Days later, Prime Minister Fukuda announced his decision: at last, Japan would set a 2020 emissions target! In mid-March, Avaaz, concerned about the fact that production of Biofuels is rapidly inflating food prices, especially in underdeveloped localities, while many biofuels require more energy to produce than they provide, while increasing CO2 and other pollution, engaged in an international e-mail campaign to the nations with the 20 largest economies, producing 75% of carbon emissions, about to take part in climate change discussions, in Chiba, Japan, leading up to the G8 summit this summer, urging the adoption of green global standards for biofuels. For more go to: https://secure.avaaz.org/.
Community solutions finds that oil production is now peaking, and “that While Plans A and B seek to maintain unsustainable levels of resource consumption through energy alternatives, Plan C advocates for cultural change. Plan A – More and dirtier fuels like tar sands, oil shale, coal-to-liquids, and “clean” coal (bury CO2) to keep up with growing energy consumption. Plan B – The “clean and green” approach proposes using large-scale renewables like wind, solar, biofuels and hydrogen to maintain our high energy way of life and keep us complacent and consuming. Plan C - Our strategy of culture change, conservation and curtailment. Through reductions in resource consumption, dramatic conservation and curtailment of energy use coupled with an increase in local community living we can survive peak oil and create a sustainable world in its wake. Plan C addresses many of today’s issues head on and reduces the impetus for war. “Our solutions look at how each individual can make a difference, reduce CO2 emissions, and help bring peace to the world”. For more go to: http://www.communitysolution.org.
In the United States, The Wilderness Society, paralleling the efforts of many organizations, holding that “Global warming is the greatest environmental crisis that we face, and we need solutions now!” is petitioning Congress, “As Congress prepares to set the policy agenda for 2008, I strongly urge you to make taking action to reduce global warming pollution a top priority. The National Academy of Sciences and thousands of scientists worldwide agree that the planet is warming and that human dependence on dirty fossil fuels – such as coal and oil – is the primary cause. The problem is so urgent that the next 10 years will likely decide the outcome. To reverse the dangerous effects of global warming, it is critical that we: – Gradually reduce global warming pollution 20% by 2020; – Allow for a “cap and trade” program to help businesses meet pollution reduction goals without suffering economic losses; and – Promote a greater reliance on clean, renewable energy sources. Solving global warming will place the U.S. at the forefront of developing and deploying the clean energy technologies that will dominate the 21st century. When we solve global warming, we will have established a more secure, prosperous, and vibrant America.” For more information go to: http://action.lcv.org.
The Wilderness Society is opposing A proposed land exchange between the Bush Administration’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Doyon Ltd., the largest private landholder in Alaska, because it could bring sprawling pipelines, drill pads, oil spills, roads and industrial traffic to the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The proposal threatens the culture and subsistence livelihoods of people living in eight native villages located on and around the refuge and the wildlife that depend on the refuge for habitat. Doyon is a native-owned corporation and many of its own shareholders oppose the land exchange because of the threat it poses to the land, water, and wildlife of Yukon Flats-the place they call home. For more information go to: http://action.wilderness.org/campaign/yukon00/876i6kg9lwmkmi6? or http://action.wilderness.org/campaign/yukon00/forward/.
Earth Hour took place on March 29 2008, at 8:00 pm, local time, with numerous cities round the world turning off their lights for an hour as a statement for action on reducing global warming and climate change. Among the participating metropolises were Sydney, Australia, Chicago, Tel Aviv, Manila, Copenhagen, Melbourne, Brisbane and Toronto. For more information go to: http://www.earthhour.org/about. The Seven Generations Conference, named in honor of the American Indian traditions–that decisions are made with an eye towards their impact on the next seven generations – March 19 – 21, at the Boulder, CO, UCAR Center Green Campus, approached climate change from two perspectives; one rooted in indigenous experiences and one born of present-day science. The overarching goal is to look for opportunities for the two perspectives to point to shared strategies for understanding, adapting to, and mitigating climate change, with a particular focus on American Indian Lands. The Planning for Seven Generations Conference was sponsored by The American Indian & Alaska Native Climate Change Working Group, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The goal of the conference was, “Developing a collaborative way forward – one that honors indigenous and western ways of knowing about the Earth; Framing research questions to allow collaborative, multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural, community-based investigation and offer opportunities for student participation, and Exploring effective strategies for information and idea communication and dissemination, including leveraging cyber-infrastructure tools”. For more information Contact: Lena Gomez-Miller, UCAR/SOARS (303)497-8622, millerl@ucar.edu, http://www.cbp.ucar.edu/tribalconfhome.html.
Carbon Fund Blog carries climate change news, links to green blogs, and a green resource list, at: http://carbonfund.blogspot.com/2008/03/sky-is-falling.html. Carbon Fund is certifying carbon free products at: http://www.carbonfund.org/site/pages/businesses/category/CarbonFree. The fund also has an e-mail list serve.
In the state of São Paulo, Brazil, March 7, several hundred members and supporters of the international farmers organizations La Vía Campesina occupied a research site of the U.S.-based agricultural biotechnology firm Monsanto, destroying the greenhouse and experimental plots of genetically-modified (GM) corn. Participants stated that the act was to protest the Brazilian government’s decision in February to legalize Monsanto’s GM Guardian® corn, which was recently banned in France, Austria, and Hungary due to risks to the environment and human health. For more information go to: http://americas.irc-online.org/am/5109.
With March 19 marking the 5th Anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq, a variety of peace and justice organizations held actions across the United States, and especially and in Washington, DC to demand an end to the funding of the occupation, along with the impeachment of the president and vice president who launched it. For the full range of activities, go to: http://resistinmarch.org. The actions came with Congress considering another $105 billion for the occupation of Iraq, with Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz stating the true costs of the occupation over $3 trillion. One piece of the anti-war effort is a call for Congress to simply stop voting on additional funds (For details, see: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/31397). From March 10-12, demonstrations and communication campaigns took place to end the administration’s policy of extending soldiers’ tours of duty involuntarily in Iraq and prolonging the occupation. The series of actions included deliver “official” stop-loss notices to all members of Congress to notify them that all of their leaves, vacations and home visits have been cancelled until every soldier and mercenary is home from Iraq. (For details go to: http://www.stop-losscongress.org). On March 13-16, more than 200 members of Iraq Veterans Against the War testified in Silver Spring, Maryland to crimes witnessed and committed in Iraq, with audio and video of the panels made available live online, on satelite TV, and on Pacifica radio (for more go to http://www.ivaw.org/wintersoldier, and for local events supporting Winter Soldier, as well as events for peace, justice, and impeachment: http://www.5yearstoomany.org, and http://www.codepinkalert.org). A reborn Students for a Democratic Society sponsored campus events, March 17 to 21, with March 19, Nonviolent Civil Resistance in All 435 Congressional Districts and in the Nation’s Capital on March 19 (Details at: http://www.5yearstoomany.org).
A number of organizations, including Just foreign Policy (http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1439/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=18878) have been supporting congressional legislation that would require the President to have approval from Congress before attacking Iran. With the resignation of Admiral William Fallon, who was commander of U.S. Central Command, and a major opponent of attacking Iran, there is increased concern that the Bush Administration might attempt such an action. Just Foreign Policy is an independent and non-partisan mass membership organization dedicated to reforming U.S. foreign policy through coordinating the broad majority of Americans to advocate their interests and values. It has also been involved in a petition campaign to Members of Congress to support Israeli-Palestinian peace by opposing new Israeli settlements on Palestinian land. For more information contact Just Foreign Policy, (202)448-2898, info@justforeignpolicy.org, http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/.
Israeli peace and human rights organizations including Gush Shalom (Gush Shalom, p.o.b. 3322 Tel Aviv 61033, Israel, info@gush-shalom.org, http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en) and the Other Israel (The Other Israel, p.o.b. 2542, Holon 58125, Israel, ph/fax: +972-3-5565804, otherisr@actcom.co.il, http://otherisrael.home.igc.org/), as well as international peace organizations like Jewish Voice for Peace (JVJ: http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org) joined with Palestinian civil society groups, in late January, to send a convoy to the entrance of the Gaza Strip to deliver badly needed food and medical supplies. On February 18, over 6 tons of supplies from the convoy were finally let through. These organizations continue to protest the ongoing Siege of Gaza. On March 6, in a Press Release, March 6, “Gush Shalom calls for end to the cycle of bloodshed – no killing of Israelis in Jerusalem, no killing of Palestinians in Gaza, but an immediate ceasefire between Israelis and Palestinians, including all areas, forces and organizations… “The cycle of revenge upon revenge and hatred upon hatred continues to roll and demand new victims every day. This cycle must be broken. A full ceasefire must be achieved, including any attack by Israelis on Palestinians and by Palestinians on Israelis, including all forces and all organizations at every area and locations – so creating a better atmosphere for starting serious negotiations.”
March 13, Gush Shalom stated to the press, “Those who sent the assassins to carry out “liquidations” today, in Tulkarm and Bethlehem, knew what they were doing – a grave act of provocation which might blow up the serious chance which had opened up, to reach ceasefire and calm. This is a wanton, completely irresponsible act, which might return the inhabitants of Sderot, Ashkelon and Gaza back into the hell from which they momentarily escaped. The lethal propaganda perpetrated today is the latest in a whole week of provocations: – the Prime Minister approving settlement construction, spitting in the face of the entire world; – the incitement in the Knesset, even by the Speaker, to the vengeful destruction of a family house for a crime of which none of the people living there is guilty; – the rabbis who openly and insolently encourage their disciples to commit indiscriminate killings; – and also the small-minded boycott declared against the Al-Jazeera TV, whose only sin was to expose to the world’s gaze horrors which the Government of Israel wanted to hide.”
Meanwhile, protests by Israelis, Palestinians and internationals have continued against the building of the security wall.
ISM/Ma’an News Agency, “Anti-wall protests: large demo in Al-Khadr, live bullets in Bil`in,” Occupation Magazine February 8th, 2008 (http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=25072) reported, “About 500 Palestinian demonstrators, joined by a handful of Israeli and international supporters, marched towards the construction site of Israel’s separation wall in the village of Al-Khadr on Friday, in what organizers say is one of the largest weekly demonstrations in the West Bank. At least 30 heavily armed Israeli soldiers and riot police in six jeeps had already blocked the road with barbed wire. At the conclusion of the Friday prayer and just two minutes into the demonstration, the soldiers fired tear gas and sound grenades, dispersing the vast majority of the protesters and injuring six people.”
Gush Shalom published the following ad in Haaretz, April 4, “75 years ago this week, the Nazis forbade Germans to enter Jewish shops. The Knesset decided to forbid Israelis to bring their cars to Palestinian garages in the occupied territories. Where will this lead us?”
Birzeit University – Palestine – Right to Education Center, “Wave of arrests at Birzeit University,” March 3 (http://right2edu.birzeit.edu/news/article512) expressed concern that. “Since January 2008, eight Birzeit University students and one employee have been arrested by the Israeli army. None of whom have been charged. This comes amongst a wave of arrests all over the West Bank under the pretext of the person belonging to a political party. Three of the eight arrests are held under administrative detention – a system of incarceration without trial based on ’secret’ evidence – meaning there was no evidence to suggest they violated any Israeli laws at the time of the arrest. Administrative Detention is detention authorized by administrative order rather than by judicial decree under the pretext that there is not yet sufficient evidence to merit a case but that the person should be incarcerated until enough evidence is found. Prisoners can spend many years in prison waiting for a charge to be brought against them. Birzeit University currently has a student who has been under administrative detention for 2.5 years. The arrests include the acting head of the Student Council, Abdullah Owais, who replaced Fadi Hamad after he was detained in December 2007 and charged with belonging to an illegal organization and holding a position of responsibility while belonging to this organization. Fadi was arrested on Sunday 25 November 2007 by Israeli military Special Forces while on the road linking the Al-Jalazoon refugee camp with the West Bank city of Ramallah. On Thursday 6 December he was sentenced to a year imprisonment on the grounds that he belongs to the Islamic Bloc student group, which under Israeli military law is an illegal organization like any other student group affiliated to a political party.”
Eliyahu McLean reports that he was on a speaking tour for the Jerusalem Peacemakers, in November and December giving talks with Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bukhari, all over Sweden in a tour organized by SweFOR, the Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation, and then in Denmark and Germany, sharing positive stories of peacemaking in the Holy Land that are not making the news. In Denmark, they were hosted for a talk at the Art of the Living Center in Copenhagen, where McClean said the blessing over the Hannukah candles. He and Sheikh Bukhari gave the Friday ‘juma’ speech to a large Muslim audience at the mosque of Abdul Wahid Petersen, head of the Muslim community in Denmark. In Hannover, Germany, over 200 Jews, Christians and Muslims joined them at their evening at ‘Michael Kirche’, the anthroposophy Christian Community church. In October and November, In Hannover, Germany, over 200 Jews, Christians and Muslims joined them at our evening at ‘Michael Kirche’, the anthroposophy Christian Community church. In October and November, McLean traveled around the U.S. with Sheikh Ghassan Manasra, a young Muslim Sufi peacemaker, director of the Anwar Il-Salaam Islamic peace center based in Nazareth and Jerusalem, speaking about reconciliation. On returning to the Holy Land, Jerusalem Peacemakers continues its reconciliation work. For information contact Eliyahu McLean, Jerusalem Peacemakers, PO Box 31894, Jerusalem 91316 Israel, eliyahu@jerusalempeacemakers.org, http://www.jerusalempeacemakers.org/eliyahu/donate.html.
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), in order to support peace by creating greater economic justice, has committed to planting 3,000 olive trees in Palestine in 2008. JVP has joined others in a number of countries in protesting Israel’s siege of Gaza. For more information go to: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org.
The Middle East Peace Research Association (MEPRA) statutes were accepted and unanimously voted and ratified by the IFLAC Board and General Assembly 2008 in Haifa, Israel. The statutes focus on “Peace Culture and Communications”. MEPRA is dedicated to academic peace research on the Middle East, beginning Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt, and later extending to additional areas of the region. In addition to academic research, conferences, seminars and publication, MEPRA will develop peace radio, and television interviews, and will air televised satellite peace programs, that will be aired on the IFLAC PCTV: The International Peace Culture Television by Satellite. For details contact: Prof. Ada Aharoni, IFLAC – MEPRA Founder and President, iflac@bezeint.net, aharoniada@bezeqint.net, www.iflac.com.
The Save Darfur Coalition has been pressuring China to “help end the violence in Darfur!” by having people call the Chinese embassy, and has been holding press events at Chinese embassies and consulates around the world urging China to use its influence over Sudan to help end genocide. For more information go to” http://action.savedarfur.org/. Banaa: the Sudan Student Empowerment Network seeks to provide survivors of atrocities in Sudan with the educational training to address the root cause of their country’s recurrent wars. Named for an Arabic word meaning “to build,” “to found” or “to create,” Banaa has a three-part mission: (1) to provide young scholars from various regions of Sudan with an undergraduate education; (2) to foster these scholars’ leadership abilities and extensive contacts with international development and conflict resolution communities; and (3) to empower those scholars with the skills and resources to return to Sudan, promote reconciliation, and break the cycles of violence. For more information contact Jeff.DeFlavio@Banaa.org or visit: http://www.banaa.org.
Global Exchange is participating in a campaign to have Congress “Say no to Plan Mexico“, saying, “the ‘Merida Initiative’, popularly known as Plan Mexico,… would destine $1.4 billion dollars to Mexico and Central America over a three year period, with the stated purpose of fighting drug trafficking and organized crime. The requested $500 million of funding to Mexico for 2008 is dominated by $206 million worth of military aircraft and $133 million of drug interdiction equipment and training. Most of these resources will go to the Mexican Armed Forces and police forces. We know that arming foreign militaries will not solve our drug problem – a fact now painfully obvious in Colombia. After eight years and over six billion dollars of Plan Colombia, the massive counternarcotics experiment has failed. The goal of U.S. drug policy in Colombia was to see a 50 percent reduction in the production of coca, the raw material for cocaine. Today there is as much coca growing in Colombia as there was the year Plan Colombia began, and the flow of illegal drugs to the U.S. continues unabated. There is no reason to believe that a new “war on drugs” centered on interdiction and enforcement will work any better in Mexico. But the long-term potential damage of a policy that militarizes Mexican society, increases drug-related violence, and creates a climate for violation of human rights and civil liberties is evident. The Merida Initiative includes no money for rehabilitation, addiction, prevention or public education”. For more information go to: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/gx/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=978.
Avaaz reported in mid February that its members donated over $325,000 in 4 days in December to support the Burmese people’s efforts to peacefully promote political change and tell the world about their struggle. Avaaz stated, February 12, “The overall situation in Burma has deteriorated significantly since the protests last fall. 80% of the leadership of the monk and student networks that led the protests have been caught and jailed. The remaining 20% are on the run, hiding in safe houses and constantly at risk. The Burmese generals have used torture extensively to work their way through these networks. They have also immediately and viciously cracked down on any street protests. One of our original hopes was to break the media and internet blackout that the Burmese generals had imposed on the country. But now, even if we did, there are no significant protests to cover. The public protests have been smothered, for now. There is hope,” for the following reasons: ” 1. The protests last fall brought a whole new generation of nonviolent activists into politics. Hundreds of thousands of new people are eager to take up the cause. 2. The brutality against monks, revered by all Burmese, was the last straw for the Burmese generals. They have now lost all legitimacy whatsoever with the people–they are holed up in a jungle capital and rule by force of terror alone. 3. There are signs of dissension within the Burmese military, as some senior officers refused to crack down on the protesters. 4. International pressure remains steady. The Junta has been pressured, by the UN Security Council and by China, into fast tracking their (flawed) plan for democratization, and have announced a constitutional referendum to be held in May. 5. 2008 is going to be a big year for the Burmese democracy movement. Plans are being made, the movement is thinking big and planning its return.” In March, Avaaz.org was supporting the Dalai Lama’s call for China to restrain itself and dialogue about Tibet, with a petition campaign that by March 24, in its first five days, had gathered more than three-quarters of a million signatures from people in 192 nations, and by March 28 the number was over 1.5 million. In April, In less than a week, more than 120,000 people from 215 countries and territories–including thousands from across Africa–have signed the Avaaz petition demanding the release of the election results in Zimbabwe. Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world’s people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means “voice” in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, Washington DC, and Geneva. For more information contact Avaaz, 260 Fifth Avenue, 9th floor, New York, NY 10001, info@avaaz.org, http://www.avaaz.org.
Human rights First (HRF) joined other organizations in pushing congress to apply the Army’s own strict anti-torture guidelines to all U.S. interrogations, including those by the CIA, playing a roll in the Senate passing a bill to that effect, that President Bush threatens to Veto. HRF has launched a campaign to stop China’s arms sales to Sudan. For more information go to: http://action.humanrightsfirst.org.
The Swiss based mediation organization, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD Centre), has launched a new website, with a focus on mediators, government officials, funders, armed groups and others directly involved in peace processes. The site, at: http://www.hdcentre.org, provides a comprehensive overview of the work and focus of the organization in its attempts to mediate between warring parties and support the wider community of mediators. HD Centre has completed its mission in the Central African Republic. The Preparatory Committee for the inclusive political dialogue, which it had chaired since December last year, finalized its work, as planned, on March 31. The HD Centre will maintain a liaison office in Bangui, in support of the process. It will facilitate a series of consultations, which have already begun, with regional actors to ensure their support for inclusive political dialogue. The Preparatory Committee was created on November 30, 2007 through a Presidential Decree to organize the process leading to an inclusive political dialogue. It brought together the presidential majority, the democratic opposition, civil society as well as the three rebels groups (APRD, FDPC and the UFDR). One of its major achievements has been to convince the APRD to participate in the process, opening the door to a possible cease-fire and peace agreement. It is hoped that the conclusion of the Preparatory Committee will lead to an All Inclusive Political Dialogue, paving the way to peaceful elections in 2010. For more information go to: www.hdcentre.org or contact info@hdcentre.org.
AVP is working to change the way we respond to violence, and in the way we initiate violence ourselves. AVP’s mission is: “To empower people to lead nonviolent lives through affirmation, respect for all, community building, cooperation, and trust. Founded in and developed from the real life experiences of prisoners and others, and building on a spiritual base, AVP encourages every person’s innate power to positively transform themselves and the world. AVP/USA is an association of community based groups and prison based groups offering experiential workshops in personal growth and creative conflict management. The national organization provides support for the work of these local groups. AVP is a nationwide and worldwide association of volunteer groups offering experiential workshops in conflict resolution, responses to violence, and personal growth. AVP is dedicated to reducing the level of violence in our society. Our goal is to reduce the level of violence by introducing people to ways of resolving conflict that reduce their need to resort to violence as the solution. The Alternatives to Violence Project is designed to create successful personal interactions and transform violent situations. We’re dedicated to teaching the same non-violent skills and techniques that were used by Mohandas Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” AVP offers nonviolence trainings in prisons, communities and schools. For more information go to: http://www.avpusa.org/.
Search for Common Ground (SCFG), with offices in Abidjan, Brussels, Bujumbura, Bukavu, Conakry, Freetown, Jakarta, Jerusalem, Kathmandu, Kiev, Kinshasa, Luanda, Monrovia, Rabat, Skopje and Washington, focus is to “Understand the Differences, Act on the Commonalities.” SCFG President John Marks, states in the organization’s Spring 2008 newsletter, “Political leaders often regard their rivals as enemies. A key part of our work at Search for Common Ground is to show that there is a better way: Instead of facing each other as foes, leaders could stand together and attack shared problems. This is a simple idea that, if widely applied, would represent a seismic shift. Sadly, ego, partisanship, and power usually interfere. Think how different things would be if leaders in places like Lebanon, Kenya, or the US saw their role as serving the whole and healing divisions.” SCFG acts as Social Entrepreneurs. “Our mission is to find creative ways to transform conflict, and we have regularly broken new ground. For example, we have developed methodologies to defuse violence across entire societies. Just as the Molière character did not realize he had been speaking prose his whole life, we did not know, in our early years, that our work would eventually be described as social entrepreneurship… we have a plaque on the wall that affirms our organizational commitment to “innovations that benefit humanity.” “We have developed a list of principles, which follows, for how we practice social entrepreneurship. (And every year on the weekend after Thanksgiving, Susan and I lead a workshop on the subject at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California.) 1. Start from vision. Our vision is to transform how the world deals with conflict – away from adversarial, win-lose approaches to non-adversarial, win-win solutions. All that we do must be consistent – or at least not inconsistent ˆ with our vision. 2. Be an applied visionary. We strive to be incrementally transformational. To change the world, we break down complicated tasks into finite, achievable pieces. 3. Enroll credible supporters. Because social entrepreneurs operate on the cutting edge, they often are seen as marginal. Prominent backers can be very helpful. 4. Be prepared to deal with high levels of complexity and uncertainty. When you intervene in complex systems, like international conflicts, there almost certainly will be unexpected outcomes. 5. “On S‘engage; et puis on voit.” As Napoléon said, you become engaged, and then you see new possibilities. This translates into recognizing that you cannot usually plan in advance the sequence to be followed or the results to be achieved. 6. Practice aikido. In the Japanese martial art of aikido, when you are attacked, you do not try to reverse your assailant‚s energy flow by 180 degrees, as you would in boxing. You accept the attacker‚s energy, blend with it, and divert it by 10 or 20 degrees in order to make you both safe. In our work, this means accepting a conflict as it is, while transforming it ˆ one step at a time. 7. Make“yes-able” propositions. As Roger Fisher and Bill Ury wrote in their landmark book, Getting to Yes, everything works much better when people say “yes” to your proposals, which need to be both in their interest and in yours. 8. Display chutzpah. Chutzpah is a Yiddish word for effrontery or nerve. As Leo Rosten wrote, it is the quality “in a man who, having killed his mother and father, throws himself on the mercy of the court because he is an orphan.” Still, chutzpah should be applied only in moderately pushy, culturally appropriate ways. 9. Develop good metaphors and models. Most people will not shift their attitudes and behaviors if they do not have a good idea of where they are headed. Metaphors and models – compelling stories – are crucial to reframing reality. 10. Have a high tolerance of ambiguity. If you are uncomfortable with not knowing where you are going and cannot deal well with the unexpected, you probably will not be a successful social entrepreneur. 11. Find trimtab points. On ships, the trimtab, a tiny rudder at the leverage point, is used to turn the craft with minimum effort. Similarly, social entrepreneurs need to be skilled at converting comparatively small inputs into maximum outputs. 12. Be persistent. We recommend adopting the example of the child‚s toy truck that moves ahead until it hits a barrier, backs off, and then finds another path forward. 13. Apply fingerspitzengefühl. This is a German word meaning to have an intuitive sense of knowing – at the tip of your finger. Either you have it or you don’t.”
Search for common Ground, in addition to its Middle East News Service and radio soap operas in several countries promoting peace, reconciliation and participation, has a number of initiatives including corporate work. “Increasingly, corporations are committed to social responsibility. For example, over 3,700 businesses have pledged to respect the UN Global Compact principles. Just as we cooperate with – and receive support from – governments, foundations, multi-lateral bodies, and individuals, we work with corporations. Our first corporate partnership was in Nigeria, starting in 2005, with Nestlé sponsoring our production of The Station, a 52-part, dramatic TV series that communicates themes of conflict resolution, ethnic tolerance, and good governance. (A short clip from The Station can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylJG8NIoBHE).” SCFG is engaged in consulting. “In 2007, we established a Sustainable Business Practice to facilitate win-win solutions to problems between corporations and the communities where they work. David Plumb, a mediator and former reporter with Bloomberg News, heads the program. This work reflects an inclusive spirit and is largely carried out by experienced staff members on the ground. Here are the first projects: Chevron. In Angola’s Cabinda Province, we are building a collaborative relationship between Chevron and local stakeholders affected by oil drilling. Angola LNG. This natural gas project is Angola’s largest onshore investment, and we are creating participatory radio programs to engage the local community. Exxon Mobil Foundation. Also in Angola, we are promoting a women’s and girl‚s education initiative. ArcelorMittal. In Liberia, we organized a series of town meetings, so local citizens can agree collectively on how to use $3 million in development funds from this giant steel company, which is investing $1.5 billion in iron mining.” For more information contact Search for Common Ground at: search@sfcg.org, http://www.sfcg.org.
The Friends Committee on National Legislation is pleased that a measure it has been working on has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. the Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act (H.R. 1084), which takes a step toward structures into place to promote peace by enabling the U.S. to create a corps of civilian specialists who can be rapidly deployed in a crisis to collaborate with local governments, helping prevent weak states from collapsing or rebuilding war-torn states. For more information contact Friends Committee on National Legislation, 245 Second St. NE, Washington, DC 20002 (800)630-1330, http://www.fcnl.org.
Dale Kline, Organizer for Akron Peace Council, reported that, in February, he had “sent a Proposed Senate Resolution to many prominent people and organizations who are calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons. Daryl G. Kimball, Director of Arms Control Association responded encouragingly and said that Martin Fleck is coordinating the Campaign for a Nuclear Weapons Free World, from the Washington DC office of ACA.” For more information contact: Crandall (Dale) Kline, peacedefense@sbcglobal.net.
Peace and Collaborative Development Network “is a new online initiative to bring together professionals, academics and students involved in Conflict Resolution, Human Rights, International Development, Democratization, Social Entrepreneurship and related fields. The network fosters interaction between individuals and organizations around the world and currently nearly 2400 members. The site is a terrific networking tool where you can find local and international partners and practitioners, share resources (including scholarships in the field), guides to careers, scholarships and internships, funding, IT resources in the field, and exchange best practices. Discussion topics and personal blogs can be posted. The site also has a video section where members can access and view videos related to the field. Becoming a member is fast, easy and free.” The network is at: http://internationalpeaceandconflict.org.
The inaugural meeting of the European Dialogue Consortium, will be held in May. The European Dialogue Consortium, a network of partner organizations, plans to actively promote and implement dialogue across Europe. It will be assisted by the National Center for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) in the U.S., sharing resources and learnings, and helping with promotion. NCDD has just initiated NCDD Headlines, a regularly updated collection of Dialogue and deliberation news headlines, NCDD announcements and useful links to online resources served via Email, RSS or Twitter (a micro-blogging tool at: http://twitter.com) and Del.icio.us (a social bookmarking tool: http://del.icio.us/). NCDD offers a variety of trainings. For more information go to: www.thataway.org.
WiserEarth serves the people who are transforming the world. It is a community directory and networking forum that maps and connects non-governmental organizations and individuals addressing the central issues of our day: climate change, poverty, the environment, peace, water, hunger, social justice, conservation, human rights and more. Content is created and edited by participants. For more information go to: http://www.wiserearth.org/.
Libby and Len Traubman, in the San Mateo, CA area, have been conducting dialogues between Palestinian and Jewish groups, and Muslim and Jewish high school students using the technique of shared stories. The “Circles” in Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices in the Schools, as well as The Forgiveness Project, and other dialogue projects, are using the power of stories to create connections between people that create a foundation for peaceful relationships. The Traubmans are offering free videos on their high school project (Washington High) and their camp for Palestinian and Jewish adults atltraubman@igc.org. The films can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EPEt6ExkEM. A Teachers Guide on “story as entry to relationship” is available at: http://traubman.igc.org/vidschoolguide.pdf. The Palestinian & Jews Together at Camp is at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT3tgx_qJi0.
P.E.A.C.E. Inc has available its Sustainable Peace and Development (SPD) program with a software package of applications that can be used for education, research and action. The SPD program is modeled on the Pentagon’s global Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence system, with the War Room transformed into a Peace Room. The software will support these functions: education and training in conflict resolution and peacekeeping procedures; planning and executing regional strategic peace games; providing a neutral site for peace negotiations; supporting humanitarian disaster relief operations; regional input into and monitoring of a Global Indication and Warning system of potential crises; and facilitating and coordinating the introduction of leading edge agriculture, education, energy, health and environment enhancing technologies. P.E.A.C.E can provide a CD/DVD of the Peace Room in action. For details contact Scott Jones, Ph.D., P.E.A.C.E. Inc. (830)895-0770, sherlight@peaceroom.com, www.peaceroom.com.
Centre for Applied NonViolent Action and Strategies (CANVAS) represents an International network of trainers and consultants, established in 2003. CANVAS vision of tomorrow is a “World free of violence, with every single political conflict solved by nonviolent struggle.” CANVAS mission is to: “Support, advocate and promote!.” CANVAS trainers and consultants support nonviolent democratic movements through transfer of knowledge on strategies and tactics of nonviolent struggle. CANVAS Supporting Active Network in four countries advocates and promotes battles for democracy worldwide. CANVAS will conduct its first North American nonviolent campaign design training, sponsored by the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict, at Portland State University, September 9 and 10, as a preconference event before the Peace and Justice Studies Association.
Care 2 and the Union of Concerned Scientists are leading a petition campaign to get the U.S. Department of energy to cease work at developing and building new atomic weapons. For details go to: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/854919676?z00m=14736716. On Saturday, March 1 a diverse range of organizations and community leaders co-sponsoried an all-day forum spotlighting the threat to New Mexico’s residents and natural resources posed by the Department of Energy’s recent proposal for the “transformation” of its nuclear weapons complex, to increase nuclear weapons production at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. On April 9, in response to public pressure, the DOE extended the comment period on the project. For more information contact Los Alamos Peace Project. PO Box 9509, Santa Fe, NM 87504, Telefax (505)989-4482, www.LosAlamosPeaceProject.us.
FFIPP is offering a Summer Educational Tour to Palestine/Israel, June 30 – July 9, for faculty, educators and peace activists. The program will include: Meetings with Palestinian and Israeli Peace activists, community leaders, local faculty and students, a tour of settlements around Jerusalem, a tour of Jafa, visits to Ramallah and Bilin, to the Applied Research Institute of Jerusalem, the Alternative Information Center, Dheisheh refugee camp and the Ibdaa center, a meeting with the Arab Association for Human Rights in Nazareth, visit to Kibbutz Lohamei HaGetaot and to the remains of the 48 village al-Ghabisiyya. For more information, call FFIPP-USA, (413)253-0676, ffippusa@comcast.net, www.ffipp.org.
