Received: with LISTAR (v1.0.0; list 9-11peace); Wed, 19 Dec 2001 17:05:57 -0500 (EST) Return-Path: Delivered-To: 9-11peace@complete.org Received: from erwin.complete.org (cc62016-a.indnpls1.in.home.com [24.36.182.146]) (using TLSv1 with cipher EDH-RSA-DES-CBC3-SHA (168/168 bits)) (Client CN "erwin.complete.org", Issuer CN "John Goerzen -- Root CA" (verified OK)) by pi.glockenspiel.complete.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id D75E13B80D for <9-11peace@complete.org>; Wed, 19 Dec 2001 17:05:08 -0500 (EST) Received: by erwin.complete.org (Postfix, from userid 1000) id 58AA175837; Wed, 19 Dec 2001 17:05:08 -0500 (EST) Received: from c009.snv.cp.net (c009-h025.c009.snv.cp.net [209.228.34.138]) by pi.glockenspiel.complete.org (Postfix) with SMTP id DED6F3B80D for <9-11peace@complete.org>; Wed, 19 Dec 2001 13:21:22 -0500 (EST) Received: (cpmta 28241 invoked from network); 19 Dec 2001 10:21:20 -0800 Received: from 169.244.193.94 (HELO sylvester) by smtp.surfree.com (209.228.34.138) with SMTP; 19 Dec 2001 10:21:20 -0800 X-Sent: 19 Dec 2001 18:21:20 GMT From: "Eli Pariser" To: <9-11peace@complete.org> Subject: The Hope for Peace Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2001 13:22:52 -0500 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0) Importance: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3 X-archive-position: 15 X-Approved-By: jgoerzen@complete.org X-listar-version: Listar v1.0.0 Sender: 9-11peace-bounce@complete.org Errors-to: 9-11peace-bounce@complete.org X-original-sender: bulletin@9-11peace.org Precedence: bulk Reply-to: bulletin@9-11peace.org X-list: 9-11peace THE HOPE FOR PEACE Read online, subscribe, or unsubscribe at: http://www.9-11peace.org/bulletin.php3 IN THIS BULLETIN: --------- 1. Introduction: Why Hope? 2. The Top Five Reasons to Hope 3. And a Close Sixth 4. What are Your Top Five? 5. Global Dissent 6. Maintaining Your Hope 7. Get Involved 8. About the Bulletin INTRODUCTION: WHY HOPE? ---------------- At one time it seemed that slavery had always been a part of human history and always would be. But through the courage, sacrifice, and hard work of thousands of people, slavery was abolished. Apartheid ended. The Berlin wall came down. In many countries, women were enfranchised. Activism is contingent on a kind of tough optimism, a stubborn belief that our power is our own and that it is enough to change the world. In other words, activism and social change must be preceded by hope. This hope is necessary if we are ever to escape the cycles of violence between nations and create a lasting peace. Hope is not always easy to come by. Despite our best efforts, governments wage war, conflicts rage on, and innocent people are killed. At least, this is often how it seems. As Jan Oberg writes in TFF's press info #139: "Contrary to violence and war, non-violence and opportunities for reconciliation don't make it to the headlines. As a matter of fact, they don't make it to the media at all. Destructive news furthers pessimism and the feeling of powerlessness. Constructive or good news furthers the opposite and signals that peace may, in spite of all, be possible. [T]hose in power, as well as power-loyal media, naturally prefer the former rather than the latter." This week we are devote ourselves to the good news. There ARE positive signs that efforts for peace world-wide are working and growing. Below are our favorites, but because these initiatives rarely draw attention to themselves, there are thousands more that we haven't heard of. In the new year, it is our hope that we can build on these successes. The customary season's greeting is too appropriate to pass up: Let there be Peace on Earth, and Goodwill toward All. Note: The next issue of the bulletin will come out during the second week of January. TOP FIVE REASONS TO HOPE -------------------- The top five reasons to hope for world peace. >>> 75 Million People Commit to Work for Peace <<< In 1999, UNESCO and several Nobel Peace Laureates launched the Manifesto 2000 signature campaign. The Manifesto 2000 is not a petition; rather, it's a commitment by each person who signs it to follow the six principles of a culture of peace in his or her daily life, family, work and community: 1) respect all life 2) reject violence 3) share with others 4) listen to understand 5) preserve the planet 6) rediscover solidarity The Manifesto 2000 has been signed by a staggering 75 million people worldwide, with more people signing every day. UNESCO's Director-General Matsuura stated that: "It is a sign of hope that decision-makers, gathered at the Millennium Summit, and civil society, represented by the millions of signatories of the Manifesto 2000, share the same commitment. For peace cannot be brought about by decree. Whilst political, economic or military settlements are necessary to establishing peace, they are not enough. Each individual must uphold the commitment in practice, in his or her daily life, through the simplest of acts. I am delighted to see that the world movement for a culture of peace is gathering momentum. During the International Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World, we will increase our efforts so that it triumphs." You can sign the Manifesto here: http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=58 >>> Disarmament in Ireland <<< The peace process in Ireland, a country that has suffered through years of conflict and terrorism, has made significant gains in the past few months. The Good Friday agreement has laid the foundation for a last ing peace. http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=59 Arms decommissioning on the part of the IRA has indicated that this peace process is genuine. http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=60 >>> Good News from the Balkans <<< Yugoslavia has established a Commission for Truth and Reconciliation, which is aimed at healing the wounds that are at the roots of the conflicts there. Dr. Ibrahim Rugova's and LDK's election victory also opens new prospects for reconciliation in Kosovo/a, and non-violence has proved to be stronger than police repression and authoritarian rule in Serbia and stronger than extremist violence by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA/UCK) in Kosovo. >>> An Increasing Role for Women <<< Although women are not yet represented in the Afghan government to the degree that we would hope, the international call for representation is a large step in the right direction. And at the same time that the UN and governments are beginning to understand the crucial role for women in peacekeeping, a number of exciting, private-sector organizations have started to study and support women peacemakers. Over the next few years, we are hopeful that women will be supported and encouraged in their engagement with the conflict resolution process. Here are a few organizations that work to support women in making peace: Mobilized Mothers "Mobilized Mothers" describes hundreds of organizations that are led by women trying to influence foreign policy outcomes in conflict situations. Women are increasingly influential in nongovernmental organizations, often steered by women, and they occupy senior government positions with growing frequency, according to the Women Waging Peace program. http://fly.hiwaay.net/%7Egarson/mothers0501.htm Women Waging Peace