| Posted: April 24 2005,17:18 |
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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? |
We
have attracted a following to events that we have held in northern New
Jersey, and have had some recognition from local politicians. We have
managed to get some resolutions passed by local county and municipal
governments supporting our activities and events. We have also
coordinated our activities with other local, state, national and
international organizations to work towards common goals.
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OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
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One
of the major obstacles in getting more done is the extent of the goals
that we would like to achieve and the limited time and resources that
we have to accomplish our aims. Part of the problem is that we
are trying to do so many things, and that all of our members are
involved in a lot of other activities and projects, and its difficult
to keep everyone coordinated and consistently motivated.
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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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Our
group has organized many local events and worked with other
peace-minded organizations to sponsor events. Every year we hold
numerous events to commemorate the anniversary of the atomic bombings
of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with invited Hibakusha - Hiroshima and
Nagasaki survivors. We have hosted speaking engagements and
concerts - including an International Concert for Peace held two years
ago at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark, NJ.
Last year we held
our first 'Peace & World Friendship Fair' in downtown Cranford, NJ
and received excellent local media attention and we plan to make it
even bigger this year. It is scheduled for Sat. August 6th. (The 60th
Anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.)
We
have also organized and participated in numerous peace marches, rallies
and local vigils and are currently planning film and video screenings.
We
have coordinated with other peace groups to coordinate 'Peace Train'
events in Newark, NJ - with marches and speakers - and to large
anti-war marches and demonstrations in New York City.
We
are currently coordinating 'Peace Trains' with other NJ groups and with
Abolition Now! and United for Peace and Justice to the May 1st
mobilization in NYC - calling for total abolition of nuclear weapons,
U.S. Troops out of Iraq, and funding of social needs and NOT war!
We will also participate in other related events at the United
Nations - to tie in with the renegotiation of the NPT treaty - and
other supporting events concerning the threat of militarization and
nuclear weaponry.
And we are working to support the Mayors for
Peace campaign, and have had our local county government - Union County
Freeholders - pass resolutions to support the Mayors for Peace campaign
and our Hibakusha event.
Last year we co-hosted a forum at
Arthur Johnson Medical School in Newark on the dangers posed by nuclear
weapons and depleted uranium with numerous speakers, including keynote
speaker Helen Caldicott.
Last year I attended a International
Day of Peace event sponsored by WE, THE WORLD in New York City, along
with other events they sponsored.
We will continue to
build alliances and do outreach and try to find ways to reach out and
expand our influence, and also support other organizing movements to
have an impact on making the world more sane, humane and peaceful.
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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? |
Please
do all in your power to convince the world and all nations of the
necessity of coming together to denounce militarization, and
particularly the scourge of nuclear weapons, as a threat to all of
humanity and other species and ecosystems. We need to see our
commonality, our fragility and the need to heal the damage we are doing
to our communities, to ecosystems and to each other, and we must share
in the responsibilty to do what we can to sustain, heal and nurture
each other. Those who have been blessed with a greater standard
of living, especially in the United States, must make a greater effort
to help those who are less fortunate and to denounce the destructive
course, - particularly in the development of out-of-control
militarization and nuclear proliferation and dangerous technology that
threaten all - and focus instead on ways to improve life and well-being
for all.
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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
Now!, United for Peace & Justice, Troops Out Now Coalition, New
Jersey Coalition Against Endless War, New Jersey Peace Action, Union
County Democracy for America, People's Organization for Progress,
Somerset Voices for Peace, Central Jersey Coalition Against Endless
War, Central Jersey Coalition for Peace & Justice, NJ Labor Against
War, Solidarity Singers of the NJ Industrial Union Council, American
Friends Service Committee, Unitarian Universalists, Ethical Culture
Society of Maplewood, NJ
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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)? |
Listed
above - Continuation of our Hibakusha - Hiroshima/Nagasaki Anniversary
events and other continued vigils, marches, demonstrations, forums and
other annual events - such as our Peace & World Friendship Fair in
Cranford, NJ and 'Peace Train' events.
Also, coordinating with other organizations to organize and support other peace-related events as they occur.
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Postal address of organization
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181 Tudor Oval, Westfield, NJ 07090-2244
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E-mail address of organization
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dianeb181@yahoo.com
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Website address of organization
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We need to work on our website
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Highest priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Education for a Culture of Peace
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Second priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Understanding, tolerance, solidarityI
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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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PALESTINE
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