Violence has repeatedly proven inadequate and unacceptable in dealing with social and political issues. Violence not only fails to solve conflict but exacerbates and escalates it, and it serves to perpetuate injustices. We must adopt attitudes in political life governed by respect for others, for human life, and for local communities in areas of conflict.

With a focused Department of Peace, Canada can work with global partners to divert, de-escalate, and avoid violent conflict around the world. This is the role we want for our country on the world stage. Establishment of the tools and mechanisms for building peace will enable us to work towards a just and compassionate society in collaboration with others in our global community.

As stated in the Department of Peace Initiative, the Minister of Peace in Cabinet would provide the vital coordination of Canada’s peace-related activities and develop policy aimed at achieving true security based on global social, economic, and ecological justice.

It should not be a misused version of Responsibility to Protect.

Part 1:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/year+later+Libya+future+still+very
+much/6173751/story.html

Part 2:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Canada+helped+NATO+enable+ouster
+Gadhafi+from+Libya/6176517/story.html

Part 3:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Libya+continues+several+fronts/6178586
/story.html

Canadians have a long attachment to peace and peacekeeping. So there is a good deal of interest in Bill C-373 that calls for Canada’s government to establish a federal department of peace.

The sponsors of this legislation, the Canadian Peace Initiative, decided to invite national comment and criticism of the bill by holding public meetings in major cities across the country before the legislation goes for second reading. Hamilton was picked as the first location to host such an event.

On a Saturday in February, a group of some 70 people gathered in the downtown Freeway Café to hear presentations before a distinguished panel that included Scarborough Agincourt MP Jim Karygannis, (a co-seconder of C-373); and three local Peace Commissioners, chosen for their special knowledge about peace issues: Dr. Anne Pearson, Dr. Gary Warner, and Dr. Graeme MacQueen.

A department of peace is by no means a new idea. It has been proposed in several countries including the U.S., and although it may not be adopted now, many people are seeking non-violent ways to resolve conflict. Judging by history in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, war isn’t as profitable as it used to be — at least for the world’s 99 per cent.

The new proposal calls for the establishment of a Canadian Department of Peace, a body that would “hold peace as an organizing principle in society, co-ordinating service with every level of Canadian society.” The ministry would establish a Civilian Peace Service, and develop peace education programs in elementary, secondary, university and postgraduate levels of education.

Because there are many ways to look at proposals of this kind, a succession of speakers expressed their views for almost an hour, often linking Canada to a growing number of peace activities around the world.

For example, attendee Paul Dekar congratulated the organizers saying “by joining this modest gathering we are joining the largest social movement in history, the thousands upon thousands who gathered last month in Brazil at the World Social Forum.” He noted that creating a civilian peace service was similar to international efforts such as Italy’s White Helmets, the Nonviolent Peaceforce, Peace Brigades International, or War Child.

Dekar contrasted negative peace (the absence of war) with positive peace (the presence of justice). He quoted Martin Luther King Jr.’s description of a culture of peace. One day, King said, “youngsters will learn words they will not understand. Children from India will ask, ‘What is hunger?’ Children from Alabama will ask, ‘What is racial segregation?’ Children from Hiroshima will ask ‘What is the Atomic Bomb?’ Children at school will ask ‘What is war?’”

Speaking as a member of Voice of Women, Joy Warner welcomed the proposed legislation, reminding her listeners that women and children are particularly vulnerable in times of war, and that sexual and gender-based violence have become “weapons of war.” She quoted a recent symposium in Nagoya, Japan, that supported the Santiago declaration of the “human right to peace.” She said a Department Of Peace should pursue the Right to Peace as a serious policy objective, and “ensure that women make up 50 per cent of all positions at every level of the new ministry.”

Don Woodside, of Conscience Canada, noted that a previous speaker had already said “if only 2 per cent of citizens refused to fight, that wars would cease, since the jails would all be full.” He challenged the audience to take a personal stand by redirecting their military taxes to peace.

Bert Wreford drew attention to the massive study by Harvard professor Stephen Pinker, which shows world violence gradually declining. By pulling together scores of studies about wars, riots and insurrections, Pinker shows that the public is becoming less and less accepting of violence.

Other speakers called for “a law against war,” reminding the audience that slavery has been abolished and “another world is possible.” One speaker quoted U.S. research indicating that preventing a war is 60 times cheaper than fighting it.

The full text of Bill C-373 can be found at departmentofpeace.ca. Comments can be submitted by email to info@departmentofpeacehamilton.ca until March 31st.

Ray Cunnington is a member of the Hamilton peace community. He lives in Dundas.

I want to be a Canadian Peace Initiative member, and support initiatives for developing a culture of peace and a department of peace in Canada

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January 2012 Canadian Peace Initiative

Inspiring News and Views www.departmentofpeace.ca

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Canadian-Department-of-Peace-Initiative/116559845067605

Mere praise of peace is easy, but ineffective. What is needed is active participation in

the fight against war and everything that leads to it.

Albert Einstein

READ THE FULL TEXT

News Release: MP Alex Atamanenko Tables Department of Peace Bill

November 30, 2011 – Ottawa, ON

Alex Atamanenko, MP (BC Southern Interior), was joined at a press conference by fellow peace advocates, along with Elizabeth May of the Green Party and Liberal Jim Karygiannis to herald the introduction of his Private Members Bill to create a federal Department of Peace. May and Karygiannis are co-seconding the Bill.

Atamanenko’s bill is a slightly amended version of retired NDP MP, Bill Siksay’s bill from the last parliament, notable for the non-partisan support it had gathered.

Karygiannis says this is one issue where party politics should not get in the way. “It is time for Canada to serve the global constituency by committing to the creation of a Department of Peace.”

Elizabeth May stressed her party’s continued support of this initiative. “Peace is more than the absence of war. Non-violent solutions, ‘waging peace,’ requires a focused investment and shift in consciousness. Even talking about a Department of Peace helps in that shift,” she said.

Representatives for Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI) at the press conference described the bill as exemplifying a global movement in 30 countries promoting infrastructures of non-violent peace within governments, with Peace Ministries and Departments in three countries, most recently Costa Rica. “The bill illustrates the need to prepare for peace in the same way as we prepare for war – with adequate resources and expertise,” stated CDPI Co-Founder, Bill Bhaneja.

“This is an opportunity to unify the millions of voices expressing a will to follow a new path where our road markers are not fear, anger and vengeful killing but rather prevention, empathy and justice for all of humanity,” declared Theresa Dunn, co-Chair for CDPI.

Doukhobor writer and historian Koozma J. Tarasoff said the need for the architecture for peace is urgent at a time when nuclear and robotic weapons are posing a threat to the world community. “As Canadians, let’s regain our status not only as a peacekeeping nation, but also as a non-killing one.”

“The notion that there can be peace in the world may be a utopian ideal but each generation owes it to the next to make a dedicated attempt to get as close to it as humanly possible.” concluded Atamanenko.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS

Bill C-373 is to be presented for second reading during the 41st Parliament. In preparation, a series of public consultations will be held across Canada during the next few months. They will serve to raise awareness of the bill and also allow for discussion and review of it various components. Comments from participants will be reflected in a report to be given to all Members of Parliament prior to second reading.

Bill C-373 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that will enable Canada to develop a new architecture for peacebuilding both domestically and internationally. It will significantly affect government’s approach to conflict issues and shape a new paradigm for waging peace in our world. It is important that it is understood by Canadian citizens and thoroughly debated in the House of Commons before it is voted on.

Bill C-373 is a visionary document. It is about deliberately building a Culture of Peace. It is about developing and funding nonviolent methods of dealing with conflict. It has the potential to alter how our world is managed. Your perspective and insights are valued. Plan to attend and contribute at these important events. Times, locations and commissioners will be announced when finalized.

Rebranding – Canadian Peace Initiative

The Canadian Department of Peace Initiative has been in existence since 2004. The focus of CDPI has been to bring attention and support to individuals and groups building on the principles of a Culture of Peace as outlined by the UN Manifest in 2000 and to campaign for a Department of Peace in Canada and abroad. The Canadian Department of Peace Initiative brings peace to the forefront, giving voice to the thousands of individuals and organizations seeking for leaders to guide them to a path of peace and social justice.

As of January 1, 2012 the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative is incorporated under the new name of Canadian Peace Initiative. Our mandate remains the same but we believe the new name better reflects the diverse ways peace can be achieved.

It is with your support that we have achieved our many milestones. Thank you for the response we have had from those who have participated in peace events, written articles or letters to editors, written or spoken to their Member of Parliament and provided many other forms of support. These actions have brought us to the successes that we are currently experiencing.

As CDPI evolves so do our needs. Understanding that these efforts to encourage a cultural shift in the Canadian society are only a beginning, we have pondered how we all could build on these efforts and engage more members in the public voice for change. We recognize a need to build a more comprehensive professional communication system to reach out to the public and the need to become a more prominent and integral part of the national discourse to succeed in our lobbying for the goals of peace.

If we are to enlarge our presence on the Canadian political scene it will require more resources both in the number of supporters we engage and in financial resources. Please support your local chapter by volunteering at special events and by renewing your membership with them. Memberships are only $ 10.00 per year and every penny is spent working for peace. Thank you for consideration.

Canadian Voice of Women for Peace Lobby in Ottawa

The Canadian Voice of Women for Peace (VOW) held their 51st AGM in Ottawa this past November. One focus of the AGM was to become effective lobbyists. With the knowledge that military weapons lobbyists have hundreds of legal based representatives well positioned to influence government VOW questioned how does anyone or any group influence for peace? MP Libby Davies provided a workshop on lobbying and emphasized that individual and small group lobbying is effective and outlined some strategies to increase effectiveness.

1. Outline the background of the issue for the MP who is dealing with multiple issues on any given day

2. Keep information brief and focused

3. Bring at least two people. One to ask questions and one to take notes. There should not be more than three people and do not present multiple agendas

4. Be sure to have doable requests and listen if the MP has other ideas how they can support your goals

5. Follow up shortly after your meeting with a thank you and a summary of what you understood would be done and when.

On Monday November 28th more than 20 MP’s were visited and asked to support at least one of 4 specific issues.

1. Climate Change

2. Demilitarization of the budget

3. Department of Peace

4. Furthering the Nuclear Weapons Convention

The results are still to be determined but one of the visited MPs, Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshaw), was the third seconder on the newly submitted Bill C-373 to establish a Department of Peace.

Submission by Theresa Dunn Pan Canadian Co-chair of the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative

Special Report From Civilian Peace Service Canada (CPSC)

Civilian Peace Service Canada (CPSC) Mission

Our goal is to build a sustainable peace, at home and abroad, in partnership with local communities, through establishment in a phased manner of the Civilian Peace Service Canada which facilitates the training and accreditation of qualified civilians to promote and facilitate the non-violent resolution of conflict.

Civilian Peace Service Canada has been very active on several fronts over the last year. In summary:

· Assessment and accreditation of peace professionals continues. We are now out of pilot mode and into full implementation, although modifications to our methodology continue to be made. We celebrated our first two accredited Peace Professionals, have since accredited two more and are currently assessing another two. One of our current “graduates” is located in Nepal.

· We are very proud of a significant upgrade/enhancement of our web-site. Check us out at www.civilianpeaceservice.ca. Have a look at the profiles of our Peace Professionals.

· We held a very successful workshop titled “Developing a Path for Young Peace Professionals”. The full report is on our web-site.

· One concrete result of the above workshop is a partnership that has been formed consisting of the Brian Bronfman Family Foundation, the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATA), i-Canada and CPSC. Together we have formed the Canadian Peace Service whose vision is “to ensure that by the year 2020 Canada is a world leader in the creation of ‘pragmatic peace’ because of two unique programs: Civilian Peace Service Canada, aimed at creating peace professionals, and Communities@Peace, aimed at establishing community based peace practices”.

We are very excited by what has been accomplished in the past year and exhilarated by the potential for positive and sustainable change that lies ahead. The Canadian Peace Service partnership presents incredible opportunity, and challenges, in the years ahead.

Submission by Gord Breedyk, Co-Chair, CPS Coordinating Committee

Report on The Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures for Peace

The Fifth Summit of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace: Ubuntu in Action, Cape Town, South Africa, Oct. 2-6, 2011, was a resounding success, from the opening ceremony to dynamic panel discussions led by expert peace practitioners. The South African Peace Alliance was chosen to host this year’s Summit as a reflection of South Africa’s ability to overcome adversity and civil conflict, an achievement we celebrate as an organization, by which South Africa inspires other nations. The Global Alliance Summit was endorsed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and US Congressman Dennis Kucinich, whose powerful words for peace resounded among those gathered at the Auditorium of the University of the Western Cape. Nineteen countries from all five continents, representing civil society, academia and government working toward peace, met for five historic days and agreed upon two major developments for the GA:

1. We became incorporated in Switzerland which gives us more credibility as a global organization, allows us to receive funding from various sources and to apply to the UN for consultative status.

2. We expanded our mission to support the establishment of infrastructures for peace (I4Ps) at all levels – national, regional and local – and changed our name to reflect this. We are now the Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures for Peace (GAMIP), recognizing that any infrastructure for peace should have national, regional and local components.

The Global Alliance was proud to support the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award presented at the Summit Closing Ceremony to honour Nelson Mandela for his contributions to peace in South Africa, recognizing him as a leader in international peacebuilding.

For more information visit the website at: www.mfp-dop.org

Submission by Saul Arbess, Canadian delegate and former Chair, Global Alliance Leadership Council.

Recommended reading:

The End of War: How Waging Peace Can Save Humanity, Our Planet and Our Future

By Captain Paul K. Chappell, U.S. Army

Captain Paul K. Chappell is a soldier, warrior, and peacemaker. He’s also a writer who can put his thoughts on paper in logical, easy to understand, and moving words. His topic is one that goes back centuries to the ancient masters, but is an ever-increasing challenge for modern man, as our weapons have become so indescribably deadly. Open your heart and mind to this book, and learn what an endless and hopeless path war is, and how peace truly can be achieved.

Captain Chappell has walked that path of war, from West Point to Baghdad, and has insight and knowledge. He’s also made the inner quest, and shows us how violence can be transformed, its connection to greed, and the dangers of blind obedience. He also examines the question of torture, and why the rules of the Geneva Convention are so important for our very own safety.

This powerful book is not only relevant to the major conflicts that arise throughout the world, but its ideas can be a guideline for living peacefully with one’s neighbour, in our community, and throughout the country.

“Captain Paul K. Chappell has given us a crucial look at war and peace from the unique perspective of a soldier, and his new ideas show us why world peace is both necessary and possible in the 21st century. The End of War can help people everywhere understand why war must end, and how together we can end it.” – Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate