| Posted: April 30 2005,16:58 |
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PROGRESS: Has your organization seen
progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of
action and in your constituency during the first half of the Decade? |
Psychologists
for Social Responsibility (PsySR) members agree that the events
of the last 5 years have resulted in significant deterioration in
progress toward a culture of peace. In spite of these
developments, PsySR is committed to finding opportunities for influence
on public policy and the conduct of international relations. The
current U.S. administration has sought to establish the U.S. as a
dominant world economic and military power, destabilizing whole
regions. These policies do not address core inequities that
currently prevail in the control over and use of world resources.
These core inequities are manifest in the crippling burden of
debt of poorer nations and the erratic and devastating effects of
globalized markets.
Early in the decade of the 1990’s PsySR
revised its mission statement to focus on peacebuilding and social
justice. PsySR has been proactive in working with many alliances
of organizations devoted to peace and social justice. As members
of the profession of psychology, we are aware of the interconnection
between the inequities in societies and the prevalence of violent
conflict, both of which limit development of the human potential.
Consequently, we must continue to use our expertise for focusing
analysis, establishing priorities and developing position statements
and briefing reports that will provide informed psychological knowledge
for use within the profession and by the general public.
Because
PsySR’s mission is broad—“Using Psychological Knowledge to Promote
Peace and Social Justice”—we give some examples here from several
domains.
• We have seen increased interest and concern from
our members for a full-functioning and effective United Nations and
recognition of the need for the organization as a vehicle of support
for a culture of peace.
• PsySR has been a visible presence in the largest global peace mobilization of the decade.
• We have seen progress in the strengthening of peace studies throughout secondary and higher education.
•
We recognize the significance of the eagerness of the present
generation to recognize that the U.S. must share power and seek
nonviolent ways to resolve domestic and international conflicts.
•
We are optimistic about our ability to use the communicative power of
the internet to represent the psychological dimensions of an alternate
view of the future and destiny of the U.S. in its world leadership
role.
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OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
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OBSTACLES TO PROGRESS
Although no consensus has been developed, the prevailing view of our
members, activists within the psychological profession, is that there
are many obstacles to progress in the evolution of an international
culture of peace.
1. A major obstacle is that the U.S. has
chosen pre-emptive military action as a means of securing national
defense, and perhaps more broadly, national interest.
2.
Policies and programs that increase public fear of unknown
enemies are another important obstacle. These allow exploitation of
fears by politicians and the media which in turn can result in
limitations of citizen rights. An indirect effect is to stifle
dissent.
3. National policies that diminish the role of diplomacy and redefine the U.S. role in
international
organizations by decreasing U.S. collaboration with and leadership in
multilateral institutions are an important obstacle.
4.
Political leadership that has altered previous assumptions that
global problems require global solutions has effectively narrowed and
blocked avenues of cooperation.
5. Policies that
emphasize military and security needs while neglecting basic human
needs drain resources, increase tensions, and create still more
deprivation for those who are most disadvantaged..
6.
Abandonment of ethical principles which apply to combatants in
military operations weakens an accepted code of conduct and undermines
the safety of our military by undermining such agreements as the Geneva
Convention..
7. The effect of the shift in national priorities
has been to diminish domestic priorities, which has negative
consequences for the health and well being of the citizenry: decreased
accessibility to health care, including mental health resources and
weakening of the safety net for those who are in less prestigious and
poorly paid occupations; competition for state and community resources
between groups in need, neglect of youth programs and youth and adult
literacy for entry to the current work force.
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ACTIONS: What actions have been
undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence during the first half of the Decade?
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ACTIONS
The promotion of a culture of peace and nonviolence by Psychologists
for Social Responsibility takes place through the operation of the
Central Office in Washington, DC, its coordinating functions with the
National Steering Committee, Operations Committee and Advisory Board,
and through the Action Committees.
ACTION COMMITTEES
The Action Committees of PsySR provide a focus for a specific issue and
is the main site for specific projects furthering the mission of PsySR.
Emerging issues are referred to appropriate Action Committees for
analysis and recommendations for action. The business of action
committees is carried out through personal contact in networking,
meetings, and internet communication. The Action Committees offer
project sharing and opportunities for members to participate in varied
ways in informing the public and the social science/mental health
community about ongoing activities and possibilities for furthering the
creation of a Culture of Peace. Below are some examples of issues
being addressed by the Action Committees, with the major domain for a
culture of peace to which they relate noted in parentheses.
Conflict Resolution
In
2004, the Conflict Resolution Action Committee revised the Enemy Images
Resource Manual. It is now focused on the main enmification
(exaggerated and distorted views of the enemy) in our world currently,
US Imperialism vs. Islamist Exremism. The Manual and Enemy Images
power point presentation published on PsySR’s website are resources for
peace psychology courses and programs which seek to reduce prejudice
and increase empathy. (Understanding, tolerance and solidarity)
Nonviolent Social Change
Recent efforts of this Action Committee have included obtaining grants
for education in reduction of violence in social change. One of
the Co-Chairs has sponsored an interactive program through a grant that
implements activities to prevent and reduce violence among middle
school children in settling disputes. The Action Committee is
also providing short exercises and research protocols on
nonviolent conflict resolution that can be used in various settings as
bases for group discussions and research assignments. (Education
for a culture of peace)
Global Violence and Security
The most recent focus of this Action Committee has been on
psychological factors related to nuclear weapons, and providing a
psychological dimension for the positions taken by other organizations.
The Action Committee has begun a library on the psychological
issues in global security with the goal of making a more effective
contribution of psychology to disarmament. (International peace
and security)
Peace Education
The Action
Committee developed a brochure for members to use in promoting conflict
resolution education and violence prevention programs in the schools at
grades K-12. Members also undertake in various ways to improve
instruction about war and peace issues at the college level.
They propose peace education programs for meetings of the profession
and provide support for innovation. (Education for a culture of
peace)
Poverty and Discrimination
Recent
activities include a joint project between a student PsySR chapter at
the University of the District of Columbia and the Portland Oregon
Counselors for Social justice to develop and disseminate a brochure on
the psychological effects of poverty and discrimination against people
of color in nations around the world. (Human rights)
Status of Women
Members of this Action Committee have taken leadership in fostering
links to other organized groups of women within the profession.
They have also undertaken scholarly publications on the status of
women and have challenged prevailing views of the role of women in the
profession. A major international conference focused on the topic,
“Rethinking Gender, War, and Peace: Feminist Perspectives.”
(Equality of women and men)
Environmental Protection and Justice
This Action Committee focuses on the intersection between environmental
problems, peace, conflict, and social justice. Members have
developed joint websites with major environmental groups and have
maintained a focus on sustainable growth and healthy communities.
Focus is on steps psychologists can take to build a more
sustainable and peaceful world. (Sustainable development)
Trauma, Resilience and Social Reintegration
The Action Committee has sponsored important joint conferences on
communities affected by Ethnopolitical conflict. A variety of
perspectives on resources for social reintegration is encouraged and
shared among members and collaborators. (Democratic participation)
Universal Health Care
This Action Committee has devoted energy to developing and distributing
a statement for the profession (to be distributed to the media)
regarding the importance of universal health care for a healthy
community and nation. (Human rights)
International Peace Practitioners Network
One of the ways in which PsySR promotes a Culture of Peace is to
recognize, utilize and promote the knowledge of internationally known
experts on resolution of conflicts within and between national
and global organizations.
PsySR has established a joint
project with the Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict and Violence
(Peace Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association)
to initiate and maintain a database of experts in international
psychology that would help provide needed expertise in areas of
trouble. The International Peace Practitioners Network Action
Committee ensures exchange of information between experts and provides
opportunities to discuss issues of mutual concern. These experts
also constitute a professional resource to PsySR’s Operations and
Steering committees to promote proactive approaches to creation of
peaceful communities. (Free flow of information)
STUDENT CHAPTERS
PsySR is promoting formation of student chapters on college campuses.
Three have a formal organization and others are in formation.
LEADERSHIP ACTIONS AND PUBLIC DISCOURSE
PsySR provides leadership in the discussion of psychological
perspectives on the use of military force and ways to avert a reactive
culture of war. The purpose of spokespersons for PsySR taking the
public limelight is to feature a counterbalance to policies of groups
and nations which propose violent solutions to conflicts which may have
other possibilities of resolution.
AWARDS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO PEACEBUILDING
The Distinguished Lifetime Contribution/Achievement/Service Award is
given to those individuals whose work over their life span has
contributed to the mission of PsySR and increased the social
responsibility of the profession. A group Award, Distinguished
Contribution to Building Cultures of Peace, has been given to
organizations that effectively transform cultures of violence into
cultures of peace by promoting values such as respect for human rights,
gender equality, nonviolence, reconciliation, tolerance and solidarity,
and sustainable development.
The Joel R. Seldin Peace
Award is given yearly for journalism that effectively addresses issues
of war, peace and social justice.
The Psychological
Dimensions of Peacework Award has been awarded to practitioners who are
effective in mediation and conflict resolution.
DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION
PsySR
has supported the Culture of Peace News Network to disseminate timely
information about the developments within the national media which
support a Global Movement for the Culture of Peace. In this way,
members are informed about current and planned activities which promise
to strengthen the Culture of Peace.
Action Committee resources
are made available for public dissemination through press releases and
letters to the editor issued from the media access center at
www.psysr.org.
The PsySR Newsletter keeps membership
informed of the current focus and activities of the organization and
its leadership, including information about chapter activities, student
activities, Action Committee projects, and awards. It also
provides an open forum for opinion and sharing of
resources for timely issues.
The Media Access Center at the PsySR internet website is a recent
innovation. The Center provides easy access to both local media
and national media, aiding members to write their own letters to the
Editor, op-ed articles or commentary using PsySR talking points.
CONFERENCES
A well attended conference on Social Responsibility in the 21st Century
was held in Spring of 2003. Another conference, Integrating
Approaches to Humanitarian Assistance was held in September of 2003,
and is one of
a series of conferences on ways to improve peaceful
effects of humanitarian assistance, especially in times of
ethnopolitical conflict.
A major conference on Rethinking
Gender, War and Peace in 2003 considered ways in which peace psychology
could be more inclusive of gender roles and consider
possibilities for their positive influence on peacebuilding.
The two and a half day conference provided opportunities for
definition of feminist perspectives and consideration of strategies for
redefining and rethinking gender, war and peace.
PsySR holds a
3-day conference in conjunction with the American Psychological
Association every year, including our Annual Members Forum and Awards
ceremony, as well as Conversation hours, committee meetings and
networking in our Hospitality Suite.
Upcoming: “Beyond Talk: Tools and Training for Advocacy and Social Action”, May, 2005, in Portland, OR
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ADVICE: What advice would you like to
give to the Secretary-General and the General Assembly to promote a
culture of peace and nonviolence during the second half of the Decade? |
It
is imperative that the delegates meeting at the U.N. this month [May
2005] find ways to bring the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty into the
21st Century so that it addresses the realities of the threats we
currently face. The 20-year-old treaty has lost much of its capacity
for safeguarding us from the spread of nuclear weapons due to the
failure of nuclear states like the U.S. to comply with its disarmament
provisions. The most important modification required is to link the
separate provisions of the Treaty. The prevention of weapons
development in nations not having them now must be clearly tied to the
systematic elimination of nuclear weapons among the existing nuclear
powers. Verification must be universally applied to states that might
produce a nuclear weapon and to those that already have them. Without
such universal adherence to verification and to elimination of nuclear
weapons, we create incentives for weapons development. With extensive
stockpiles of nuclear weapons and programs for development of new
weapons we face increased likelihood of their use. This could come from
nuclear powers intent upon finding battlefield uses for them, from
nations seeking to obtain such weapons in the hope of deterring threats
by nuclear powers, or from militant groups seeking a more destructive
arsenal of weapons and finding the large number of existing programs
and weapons to be a source of illicit procurement. Any one of these
activities adds to the likelihood of others and threatens the most
dangerous arms race ever known. Conversely, commitment by any party to
its own renunciation of nuclear weapons development or use, and
willingness to abide by verification measures, will increase the
incentives of others to do the same. The Treaty now needs provisions
indicating that major reductions in these weapons and controls
precluding the development of new ones will apply to all nation states.
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PARTNERSHIPS: What partnerships and
networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the
global movement for a culture of peace? |
Abolition
Caucus, Win Without War, United for Peace and Justice, Community
Coalition for Justice and Peace (Washington DC), PsyACT (Psychologists
Acting in Conscience Together), Integrity in Science
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PLANS: What new engagements are
planned by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence in the second half of the Decade (2005-2010)? |
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Postal address of organization
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208 I St. NE, Suite B, Washington, DC 20002-4340 USA
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E-mail address of organization
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psysr@psysr.org
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Website address of organization
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www.psysr.org
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Highest priority action domain of a culture of peace
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International peace and security
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Second priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Understanding, tolerance, solidarity
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Highest priority country of action (or international)
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international
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Second priority country of action (or international)
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United States
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