A Spirituality of Active
Nonviolence
This is a one-day interactive workshop with Brendan McKeague
with the sub-title 'Exploring nonviolent living in the Christian
tradition' at Friends (Quaker) Meeting House, Frederick Street,
Belfast on Saturday 7th January 2006 from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30
p.m. [please book a s a p and not later than 3rd January].
Organised by INNATE. Participation fee: œ10 (£15),
unwaged œ5 (£8) including lunch. The workshop will
appeal to those who wish to explore A Spirituality of Active
Nonviolence within the Christian tradition. The programme
will take people through 4 stages - Knowing Yourself, Knowing
Your Culture, Sustainable Spirituality and Skills For Breaking
the Cycles. Further details are available on request. Brendan
McKeague is originally from Northern Ireland, has lived and
worked in Australia since 1981 and for the past eight years
has been an Associate Staff Member of the Pace E Bene Franciscan
Service in Nonviolence; he has long-term experience working
in personal, social and spiritual transformation; a fuller
biography is available on request. Booking and queries should
be made to INNATE, 16 Ravensdene Park, Belfast BT6 0DA, (cheques
payable to INNATE) phone 028 (048 from Republic) : 90 64 71
06, e-mail innate@ntlworld.com
Bookings on the basis of payment in advance or agreeing to
pay full fee unless cancelled by 3rd January.
Ploughshares plough
a lonely furrow again
The third trial of the Pitstop Ploughshares five will be on
5th July 2006; the other two trials having collapsed (see
NN 134) it looks like 'trial by trial'. Ciaron O'Reilly, Damien
Moran, Deirdre Clancy, Karen Fallon and Nuin Dunlop, have
all pleaded not guilty to criminal damage concerning a US
military plane at Shannon in February 2003. The defendants
will be back working on the new trial from June, and solidarity
is still needed. See http://peaceontrial.com
or phone 087 : 918 4552.
The Ethics of Peace
and War
This is a new book by Iain Atack (Lecturer and Programme Co-ordinator
of International Peace Studies at the Irish School of Ecumenics)
published by Edinburgh University Press, and launched in November
by Dennis Halliday. ISBN 0-7486-1525-3. 173 pages. Price:
£18.50 / UKœ12.50. To purchase, please email iselib@tcd.ie
or phone 01 - 218 0530, or fax 01 - 260 1158. This book looks
at three key theories which have implications for the role
of ethics in war and armed conflict: cosmopolitanism; internationalism;
and political realism. It argues for the appropriateness of
cosmopolitanism above the other two general theories, with
its emphasis on the equal worth of all human beings as the
basis for a global moral community. Link
EPA inquiry to begin,
NI
Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland report that an Environmental
Protection Agency for Northern Ireland moved one giant step
closer when Government announced its intention to initiate
a Review of Environmental Governance. This inquiry will examine
how best to reform the region's environmental protection regime.
The campaign was given a further boost when Environment Minister
Lord Rooker announced there would be an independent watchdog.
The terms of reference announced by Government have been welcomed
but the membership of the independent panel of experts, who
will conduct the review, has yet to be finalised. Campaigner
Lisa Fagan said:
"So far, Government has acted in good faith.
Everything now hinges on their choice of chair and panel to
conduct this review. We are confident though, we will have
a credible review team."
The enquiry is expected to begin in the new
year, with the final report towards the end of 2006. The Review
team's task will be to hear evidence from stakeholders and
the public, commission research, ensure their investigation
enjoys a high media profile, and report their findings. FOE.
7 Donegall Street Place, Belfast BT1 2FN. Ph 028 : 9023 3488,
e-mail foe-ni@foe.co.uk and web http://www.foe.co.uk/ni
Climate change and the
Republic
Friends of the Earth Ireland has launched a campaign to get
all 166 TDs in the D il to sign a Climate Pledge promising
Ireland will do its fair share to tackle global climate change.
A new website, enables
the public to email their local TDs urging them to sign the
pledge. Climate change is already happening, and human activity
is causing it. But humanity also has the power to stop it
running out of control. If we act now we can make the decisions
and take the steps needed to prevent climate change having
catastrophic consequences. Otherwise this century will see
ever more storms, floods, droughts and famines. It boils down
to how we produce energy and how we use it. We need to move
away from carbon fuels like peat, coal and oil and towards
renewables like wind, solar and biomass. And we need to use
energy much more carefully and efficiently. We can take many
small steps towards sustainability, starting now, or face
unprecedented upheaval and disruption in the future. And the
poorest and most vulnerable communities in the world will
be the first and hardest hit. For them it will mean destruction
of lives and livelihoods. For us it will mean flood damage,
falling property values and rising insurance premiums. But
we need not wait for climate change to hit home. .At
www.climatepledge.ie you can sign-up to support the campaign,
email your TDs to ask them to sign the pledge, tell your friends
to take action and learn more about climate change and what
we can do to prevent climate chaos. Friends of the Earth,
9 Upper Mount Street. Dublin 2. Ph 01-6394653 and website
We're not sectarian
- They are!
Community Dialogue can always be relied on to reduce complex
and contentious arguments regarding the North to the basics.
Their current leaflet (A5, 4 pages, also available on their
website), titled as above, looks at different aspects of sectarianism
including possible definitions, 'Who is sectarian?', sectarianism
and systems, moral superiority, and how we will handle differences
in future. Community Dialogue, 373 Springfield Road, Belfast
BT12 7DG, ph 028 90 329995, e-mail admin@communitydialogue.org
and web http://www.communitydialogue.org
Peace & Reconciliation
Group - Winter/Spring Courses 2006
There are a couple of courses starting soon which may be on
interest. Advanced Conflict Resolution & Mediation Skills
(OCN Level: 3, Credits: 8) is a 10-day intensive course: 10.00am
to 4.00pm from Thursday, 12th January and every Thursday thereafter
until Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th March 2006. Facilitation
Skills (OCN Level: 3, Credits: 8) is also a 10-day intensive
course running 10.00am to 4.00pm from Tuesday, 10th January
and every Tuesday thereafter until Tuesday, 14th March 2006.
Concessionary fees and bursaries are available for individuals
and voluntary/community organisations. Enquiries to be directed
to the PRG office. For course details and an application form
contact: Peace & Reconciliation Group, 18/20 Bishop Street,
L/Derry BT48 6PW, ph 028 71369206, e-mail Info@peaceprg.co.uk
and web http://www.peaceprg.co.uk
Irish School of Ecumenics
(ISE): Chair in Ecumenics
Linda Hogan to the new Chair in Ecumenics, the first occupant
of the Chair in Ecumenics at ISE. In her capacity as Chair
in Ecumenics, she will also be the Head of the School. Her
appointment begins on 1 January 2006. Linda joined ISE as
a Lecturer in International Peace Studies in April 2001. She
is currently teaching courses on ' Ethics in International
Affairs', ' Human Rights in Theory and Practice', ' Gender,
Conflict and Social Change', and 'The Politics of Peace and
Conflict'. Her current research focuses on the relationship
between Christian social ethics and the discourse of human
rights. Please
visit ISE, Bea House, Milltown Park, Dublin 6, ph 01 -
206 0355, e-mail isecom@tcd.ie
and web http://www.tcd.ie/ise
WRI - Globalising Nonviolence
War Resisters International conference Globalising Nonviolence
will take place at Schloss Eringerfeld, near Paderborn, Germany,
from 23rd to 27th July 2006. A global movement from below
seeks to counterpose the perspective and values of people's
power to those of global financial institutions, transnational
corporations and governments; WRI believes that nonviolence
has a major role to play in this globalisation from below.
The conference will have a wide range of topics and themes
within the overall framework. Further information at http://globalisingnonviolence.org
or contact WRI at 5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX, phone
+44 20 72784040, web http://www.wri-irg.org
Feasta calls for energy
rationing
The recent tripling of oil prices is causing great hardship
to the world's poor and their situation is likely to worsen
in the near future as the increased cost of farm inputs like
fertiliser and tractor fuel pushes up the cost of their food.
FEASTA believes that energy rationing, introduced on either
a national or an international level, could prevent malnutrition
and fuel poverty increasing in the countries in which rationing
is used. It could also provide a basis for slowing climate
change. FEASTA has recently made a submission to the Department
of the Environment in which we suggested that Ireland should
adopt such a system to help the country meet its Kyoto emissions
target. See website http://www.feasta.org
under 'Energy and Climate'. FEASTA, The Foundation for the
Economics of Sustainability. 10a Lr Camden Street, Dublin
2. Ph 01 4053615, Fax: 01 - 4054835, general e-mail: feasta@anu.ie
Membership of FEASTA is £20 individual, £10 concessionary,
payable by cheque or via a secure link on the website.
Cindy Sheehan to speak
at IAWM
Cindy Sheehan (Mother of US soldier killed in Iraq that set
up camp outside George Bush's Texas Ranch) is coming to speak
at an Irish Anti-War Movement Public Meeting in Dublin on
Tuesday December 13th at 8 pm. She will be joined by Rose
Gentle (mother of British Soldier killed in Iraq),Tahrir Swift
(Arab Media Watch), Raeid Al Wazzan (Iraqi recently returned
from Mosul.) The meeting will take place in the O Reilly Theatre,
Belvedere Collge, Great Denmark Street (Off Parnell Square).
There will be a cover charge of £10 waged / £5
unwaged, or donation, to cover costs. Irish Anti-War Movement,
PO Box 9260, Dublin 1. Phone 01 8727912, 01 8727913, Mobile
087 6329511.
Pax Christi Annual Peace
Mass
This will take place on Sunday 29th January 2006 at 12 pm,
celebrated by Bishop Raymond Field at Fairview Parish Church,
Dublin. Pax Christi, 52 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6, ph
01 - 496 5293, e-mail paxtdc@indigo.ie
Peace People fundraiser
for Niger
The Peace People are organising a fund raising evening for
Niger on Friday 9 December, 8 pm in Peace House, 224 Lisburn
Road, Belfast. Paul Kane of Trocaire will talk about the situation
in Niger and surrounding African countries. Light refreshments
available. Peace People, 224 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 6GE,
ph 028 - 90 66 34 65.
Torture in Burma
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners in Burma
(AAPPB) has recently (2nd December) published a report describing
and condemning the methods of torture used in Burma's interrogation
centres and prisons since March 1998. The evidence gathered
in the 126-page report entitled 'The Darkness We See: Torture
in Burma's Interrogation Centers and Prisons' is based on
interviews with thirty-five former political prisoners conducted
by AAPP. The report is divided into sections detailing the
various forms of physical, psychological and sexual abuse
used by the junta. The document explains how poor prison conditions
combined with medical negligence are encouraged by the junta
to cause a degree of suffering tantamount to torture.
This publication, which has been made possible through funding
by the Department of Foreign Affairs Development Cooperation
Ireland division, follows the publication on 20 September
of 'Threat to the Peace', a report commissioned by Archbishop
Desmond Tutu and the Honourable Vaclav Havel - both Nobel
Peace prize winners. In 'Threat to the Peace' they strongly
urge the United Nations Security Council 'take up the situation
in Burma immediately' and to place Burma on the UN Security
Council agenda. This new report on torture also recommends
that the UN Security Council immediately take up issue of
Burma.
For further details contact Hugh Baxter. Mobile. 087 222 2543.
Burma Action Ireland, PO Box 6786, Dublin 1.
E-mail info@burmaactionireland.org
web http://www.burmaactionireland.org
For more information on the work of the Assistance Association
for Political Prisoners in Burma see http://www.aappb.net
Nonviolent Peaceforce
is looking for field staff for Sri Lanka
Nonviolent Peaceforce is an international NGO with over 90
member organizations from around the world. In partnership
with local groups, our field team members apply nonviolent
strategies to protect human rights, deter violence, and help
create space for local peacemakers to carry out their work.
The mission of the Nonviolent Peaceforce is to build a trained,
international civilian peaceforce committed to nonviolent
intervention. We are seeking candidates to refill and expand
our deployment of peace workers in Sri Lanka. The minimum
length of service is 18 months. Fluency in English is a requirement.
Interested applicants will find the application form as well
as other relevant information on the website.
Applications will be accepted until 23rd of December.
Complicity with kidnapping
of prisoners
On Saturday 10th December, Human Rights Day. from 12 Noon
to 13 .00 at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin there will be a vigil
to highlight Ireland's complicity in the transport of kidnapped
prisoners to secret prisons inside Europe and the middle East.
Come and show your opposition against the Irish and US Governments'
involvement in war crimes. Further Information from Brendan
Butler, NGO Peace Alliance, c/o Afri, 134 Phibsboroough Road,
Dublin 7, phone 01 - 8827563, e-mail afri@iol.ie
Nonviolent News January supplement
Number 135+ 16th January 2006
Just a couple of quick items which would be
outdated by the start of February and No.136.
Féile Bríde
2006:
Shining Lights on Human Rights
This year’s Féile Bríde, organised by
Afri in cooperation with Cáirde Bríde and Front
Line is on the topic of ‘Human Rights Defenders: Shining
Lights on Human Rights’ and takes place on Saturday
28th January at St Joseph’s Academy, Kildare. There
is programme from Tuesday 24th January through to Thursday
2nd February including the permanent relighting of the Brigid
flame in Kildare town (2.30 pm unveiling of sculpture at Market
Square, 3.00 pm on St Brigid’s Day. 1st February) as
a manifestation of justice, peace and human rights. The conference
on Saturday 28th January runs form 10.00 am. through to a
Céili starting at 8.30 pm until late; the fee is €25
for the day, €20 concession. Speakers include Maura Harrington,
Ed Horgan, Mary Lawlor, Jimmy Massey, Austin Onuoha and Maha
Abdelrahman Alhaj Alsherief, and musicians and performers
include Fionnuala Gill, Astrid Ní Mhongáin and
Donal O’Kelly. Booking in advance necessary to: Afri,
134 Phibsborough Road, Phibsboroough, Dublin 7, phone 01 –
8827563/8827581, e-mail afri@iol.ie
and web www.afri.buzz.org
IFOR seeks field officer
There is the opportunity for someone to work for a year as
a field officer for the International Fellowship of Reconciliation,
a major faith-based organisation (to which INNATE is affiliated)
– it’s a one-year appointment with the possibility
of fundraising an extension. The task is to ensure that organisations
applying for IFOR membership are adequately assessed and supported
and that new and current IFOR members are strengthened and
enabled to develop their work; some of this will be done by
the field officer directly, and otherwise be responsible for
seeing it is done. The Field Officer will be responsible for
servicing an IFOR Working Group whose remit will be to strengthen
IFOR branches, groups and affiliates. The job can be based
in Alkmaar, Netherlands (IFOR headquarters) or the candidate’s
own country. Requirements include: Strong commitment to active
non-violence and the IFOR Statement of Purpose; Experience
as a non-violence trainer; Fluency in French and English;
Faith commitment; Ability to support, encourage, organize
and nurture; Gender sensitivity; Must be able to travel internationally
and domestically in support of work (approximately 33% of
time); some evening and weekend work required. Further details
from: David Mumford, International Coordinator, International
Fellowship of Reconciliation, Spoorstraat 38, 1815 BK Alkmaar,
Netherlands, phone +31 72 512 3014, fax: +31 72 515 1102,
e-mail office@ifor.org
The rest can wait until
the first week of February. Wishing you and the world a peaceful
2006 – Editor.
Nonviolent
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