From: "Eli Pariser" <bulletin@9-11peace.org>
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Subject: The Hope for Peace
Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2001 13:22:52 -0500
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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