Northern Friends Peace Board
Since the last newsletter we have had a series of meetings and events that have provided much food for thought for those who attended. Three of our meetings for NFPB members took place in Bolton, Huddersfield and York respectively and a conference on Building Peace in Divided Communities was run in Bradford.
Quaker and Muslim perspectives
At the Bradford conference, Robin Bennett, outgoing Clerk of the Quaker Life Committee on Racial Equality, set the context and particular Quaker challenges arising from the testimony to equality. The London bombings had shaped some of our recent thinking on the issue but, Robin reminded us a there is a much longer history to take account of and a longer-term vision of positive change to hold onto. Other speakers were Lisa Cumming and Altaf Arif, describing their activities as part of the Programme for a Peaceful City, and Gul Mohammed, who gave a perspective from the British Muslim Forum.
Interfaith issues were on the agenda a few weeks later, with Carol Hayden sharing her work, hopes and vision as Bolton’s Interfaith Development Worker. Many Friends were inspired by her energy and community-based perspective on building good interfaith relationships. Kat Barton, at the same meeting, described some of the highlights of her - evidently hugely valuable - year as a QPSW peace-worker, being placed with both Peace News and War Resisters International.
Inspiration from refugees
In Huddersfield in November, refugees and asylum seekers were the focus for our speakers. Hester Dunlop, a local Friend, told us of the challenges she faced in trying to support asylum seekers who she sees in her role as a GP. The type of experiences that lead to people seeking asylum and described by Hester were also a part of our other speakers’ input. Ben and Kongosi wa Mussangu, refugees and peace workers living in Bradford, gave a vivid account of their own journeys and of their Christian-inspired commitment to continue working for peace.
Beyond Trident
Another year, another Carol... In February, Carol Naughton - former chair of CND nationally - gave an informative talk on the theme of replacement (or not) of the UK’s Trident Nuclear Weapons system. Preferring to work on the basis of Beyond Trident (we have to believe that Britain can manage without nuclear weapons), Carol encouraged us to engage at whichever level we can and to help shape the discussion to one of seeking genuine peace and security-building measures.
We have been working hard this year to plan our meetings more collaboratively with the Friends in the areas in which we have gathered. This has involved identifying with them common concerns and interests and encourag- ing participation in the meetings both of appointed MM representatives and of interested Friends and Attenders. We are delighted that this seems to have worked so well this year and hope that more Meetings will continue to contact us if they would like to host one of our NFPB meetings in this way.
News from the Scottish Centre for Nonviolence
After a few years of vigorous activity, the Centre has struggled financially and changed its way of working. They write:
"Our work continues - Sustainability and effectiveness is our aim.
In common with all other effective NGOs we are revising how we operate and have determined a new set of priorities. Employing staff on a sessional basis and using volunteers will allow us to:
The Scottish Centre for Nonviolence has built up expertise, has gained credibility and been active in many areas of peace and justice work. We have made contacts nationally and interna- tionally. The determination is there to continue and develop. The Centre’s strategy is; to promote non-violent alternatives to conflict and war, engage with existing networks and de- velop new ones and by the creative use of information technology become a search engine for nonviolence and peace."
- maintain our important contribution to Nonviolence in Scotland. Our work during theG8 t us at the forefront of this
- encourage new supporters and affirm existing ones.
- develop exciting plans to change the way we raise core funds.
- maintain a continued presence at the same address.
- use technology to increase the access to information and services.
- work towards aligning the Scottish Centre for Nonviolence with other peace and justice
- organisations thus unifying some of the tasks and reducing costs for all.
- offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities.
For further information contact Liz Law, Co-ordinator, 01786 824730 or 07901 851537.
Mapping peace
For a number of years there has been a peace walk in London. There is now a Leeds Peace Trail, being a walk around places in Leeds associated with peace and peace mak- ing. Starting at Carlton Hill Friends Meeting House, it takes in Leeds Civic Hall, with its Peace and Emergency Planning Unit, Mandela Gardens and a Mayors for Peace monument, amongst the dozen stopping-off points. Further Information from The Praxis Centre at Leeds Metropolitan University - http://praxis.leedsmet.ac.uk/praxis/Projects.
Meanwhile, Movement Against War is looking into the possibility of producing a peace map of Britain, as an educational resource that identifies places of particular relevance to peace rather than battlefields. They write: "Before any map is produced we must build up a record of such things as the birthplaces of famous peace activists, statues, plaques, sites of peace actions etc. Each item will have to be accurately recorded, where necessary with Ordnance Survey references, and with a good description. We need information about your part of the world, from your members and associates so that we can start putting together a map for all of us to use."
MAW’s Lesley Docksey asks: "any of your members who know about a particular site or would be interested in co-operating with us, to forward the name of the site and their contact details to me. I will then send them a pro forma to help them complete the details that we need."
Contact: Lesley Docksey, 1 Court Farm Cot- tages, Buckland Newton, Dorset DT2 7BT Lesley.Docksey@ abolishwar.org.uk
Scotland’s For Peace - exploring visions, making plans
In September 2005, a forum was held to explore some of the issues that this new umbrella body has been set up to address. The report from the forum is available from their website at: www.scotland4peace.org . The following are a couple of snippets from that report.
David Mackenzie in a workshop on promoting peace education suggested that "Education for peace should not be a subject in schools, not a package which you can pick up and teach from. Education for peace is simply good education with the following components emphasised:
1) Learning a proper disrespect for authority
2) Encouragement of and support for the natural tendency to question and make connections
3) Encouraging people to develop their critical skills.
4) Giving people the opportunities to develop key skills in the area of conflict resolution and mediation
5) A learning experience that is open to the world outside school
6) Empowering people to take responsibility"
In a discussion about the idea of establishing a Scottish Centre for International Peace & Jus- tice, Liz Law is reported as saying that to address the aim to establish a culture of peace in Scotland, then one of the fundamental principles should be inclusiveness … It should be about not only embracing individuals with specific abilities or knowledge, but also the Scottish people as a whole, without whom you cannot truly establish a culture of peace in the country.
There were also workshops on Defence Diversifi- cation and on Trident nuclear weapons. To raise awareness about the latter, Scotland's LONG WALK for peace is being planned, from Fa- slane to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, over 14 - 19 September. The aim of the walk is ‘to say that we expect the Scottish Parliament to speak out against any new nuclear weapons.’ The walk each day will be around 15 miles. The total distance is 85 miles. People are invited to join for one or more of the days and to support this initiative financially.
Contact them at: Scotland's for Peace,
15 Barrland Street, Glasgow, G41 1QH
Tel: 0141 433 2821
E-mail info@ Scotland4peace.org
Peace Exhibitions available
The Peace Museum (based in Bradford) has five travelling exhibitions (laminated panels) which can be mailed anywhere in world (in English unless stated). Free hire + mailing costs :
* ‘Such a Journey’ – about people who live in Bradford 12 A1 size panels
* ‘A Vision Shared’ – on the 20 th century peace movements mainly in UK (48 panels In
large A1 and small A3 versions)
* ‘Champions of Peace’ - on the centenary of the Nobel Peace Prize (33 A2 panels)
* ‘Hiroshima & Nagasaki’ – donated from Japan (40 A2 panels) (in Japanese)
* ‘Women & Peace’ – with 28 A2 panels.
Contact: The Peace Museum, Jacob's Well, Manchester Road, Bradford BD1 5RW
T: 01274434009 W: www.peacemuseum.org.uk
Viewing Gallery: The Peace Museum, 10 Piece Hall Yard (opposite glass-fronted Waterstones - open Wed, Fri 11-3 and by appointment), Bradford BD1 1PJ T: 01274-780241
Oxford Research Group - two recent reports
Troops out of Iraq - but how?
A report, Iraqi Liberation? Towards an Integrated Strategy, published in December by the Oxford Research Group identifies seven key areas to address in respect to the possible withdrawal of US and UK ‘coalition’ troops from Iraq. In so doing, it is trying to identify ‘a middle way between "cut and run" and "stay the course"’ in the coming year. At its heart it talks of ‘A Framework for significant withdrawals to erode the narrative of occupation’, and calls for support for a considered and planned approach from throughout the international community.
… and don’t attack Iran
Also from the Oxford Research Group, Paul Rogers’ report Iran: Consequences of a War concludes that... ‘a military response to the current crisis in relations with Iran is a particularly dangerous option and should not be considered further - alternative approaches must be sought, however difficult these may be’.
If you are thinking of writing to your MP or working with others on this issue, this report (available as below) will provide plenty of important background information in support.
www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk,
01865 242819
Five more years of DoV
In February, at the World Council of Churches’ 9th Assembly, the half-way point in the Decade to Overcome Violence was marked by an act of recommitment. In a press release from them they write: ‘ ... the exchange of … stories was at the heart of the DOV's mission, to create a snowball effect of networking and empowerment. Instead of sterile debates” on when violence is permissible, ... the DOV intends to highlight proactive ways in which Christians are engaged in peace and reconciliation work.’.
The Society of Friends, as one of the ‘Historic Peace Churches’, is looked to by other Churches for its particular contribution. How can Friends help to nurture an understanding of and active commitment to peace amongst other churches in the coming five years? How can we use this as a chance to learn from others?
Christian Peacemaker Team hostages
Members of NFPB have been holding Norman Kember and the other Christian Peacemaker Teams hostages in their thoughts and prayers. We have come to know Norman over the years as a colleague through our mutual involvement in the Network of Christian Peace Organisations. The websites of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (England) and of Christian Peacemaker Teams give more information about the nature of the CPT witness and actions and about vigils in support of the CPT hostages. These are at: www.for.org.uk and www.cpt.org respectively.
More Northern Friends Peace Board news
The new year saw a significant change in our membership. Our members are mostly appointed as by their Monthly Meetings as Representatives or deputies, and will typically be appointed on a triennial basis. We also co-opt some Friends, who have particular contributions to make to our work and worship. This also enables us to maintain a degree of continuity.
Twelve new representatives were appointed at the beginning of the year. This also means, of course, that we said goodbye to a number of Friends who had been members of the Board for some time. At our November meeting in Huddersfield we thanked Jo Valentine, of Settle Monthly Meeting, for her four year's service as Clerk to the Board. Mary Alice Mansell, of West Scotland Monthly Meeting, took on Clerking responsibilities in January.
The Board also has various sub groups and committees. The Executive Committee, our trustees body, meets in between NFPB meetings and its Clerk is Frances Morgan of Balby Monthly Meeting. Its members come from as far apart as South Yorkshire and West Scotland.
We are very pleased to have local Friends and Attenders participating in our four Board meetings a year. The next three meetings in 2006 will be as follows: 17 June - Keswick, 23 September - Glasgow and 25 November - Southport. Contact Philip Austin at the NFPB office if you would like to attend one of these meetings and need more information.
Our accounts for 2005 has still to be finalised, but it is clear that Northern Friends have been very generous in their support again these past months. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our work, financially and in so many other ways during the year. Our Annual Report should be available by May.
Spreading Nonviolence
Going Global
The War Resisters International conference to be held in Germany in July is on the theme of Globalising Nonviolence, with the intention of finding ways of engaging the anti- globalisation ‘movement of movements’ developing a more concerted nonviolent strategy. The Scottish Centre for Nonviolence made good efforts to promote nonviolence around the G8 protests in Edin- burgh and Gleneagles last year, and WRI seem keen to see this approach developed more widely. A challenge indeed.
More information about the conference and about the work of WRI is available from: WRI, 5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX www.wri-irg.org.
Virtual peace training
Meanwhile, a new computer strategy game has been produced with the title "A force more powerful", building on a video produc- tion and book of the same name published in the United States.
Its developers describe it as ‘the first and only interactive teaching tool in the field of nonviolent conflict …. built on nonviolent strategies and tactics used successfully in conflicts around the world’. Visit the website for more infor- mation at: www.aforcemorepowerful.org.
Preparing for Peace in print
Westmorland General Meeting’s ‘Preparing for Peace’ project has reached the end of its series of public lectures and now has two publications that seek to take its work forward in different arenas.
The first, Preparing for Peace by asking the experts to analyse war draws together much of the content from the lectures, which asked contributors to give their opinions on the whether war is successful in achieving its objectives, the causes and consequences of war and whether another way might be
possible. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they conclude that war ‘is both redundant and obsolete’, and call for a programme under the headings of:
· - the proscription of war under international law
· - the creation of new institutions to transform conflict
· - sustained and effective action to eliminate the causes of war
These conclusions are expanded upon and supported by summaries and some complete
texts of the papers presented.
New material is also still being added to the Preparing for Peace website, at www.preparingforpeace.org, with nearly thirty lectures and papers on aspects of the core concern now available. Price £6.99 - order from any good bookshop or direct from PfP - address below.
More recently, the group has produced both printed and web-based resources for young people and schools. Its study guide "The Anatomy of War" uses Rwanda and Vietnam to explore both the effectiveness and morality of war and possible responses. A considerable amount of other material for schools and young people is available on their website, looking at issues such as the arms trade, alternatives (such as the Christian Peacemaker Teams) etc.
Price £5.00 for single copies (including P&P) - or £2.50 for bulk orders (plus £2.50 post-
age per order) from PfP at: WGM, 1 Barnacre View, High St, Garstang, Preston, PR3 1EB.
Cheques payable to Westmorland General Meeting
Be Creative with Conflict
Date: Friday 2 June - Sunday 4 June
Venue: Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre
Who is the Course for? Those who would like to find ways of making conflict a means for dialogue and growth.
It aims to give participants a greater awareness of the causes and course of conflict, confidence in being prepared to address difficult issues in an affirming way (and able to help others to do so), and knowledge of how to access helpful resources.
Course Leaders: Sue Bowers and Marion Wells-Bruges
For more details, phone Woodbrooke at: (0)121 472 5171
Faslane 365
Many Friends will already know about this project, described on the website thus: "October 1st 2006 will see the beginning of an audacious civil resistance initiative to apply critical public pressure for the disar- mament of Britain's nuclear weapons. Building on the success of previous mass blockades of the Trident nuclear base at Faslane, there will be a year-long continu- ous peaceful blockade at Faslane in Scot- land. To make this happen, groups and organisations from Scotland, England and Wales, and be- yond are being invited to come and shut down the base for at least one 48-hour pe- riod each during the year. "
The period of 27-28 October has been designated the time for a national Quaker blockade and witness. Whilst not co- ordinating this, Steve Whiting in QPSW is acting as a contact point for Friends and Attenders wishing to be involved in that weekend. Contact him at QPSW on 020 7663 1061, stevew@ quaker.org.uk.
For more information about Faslane 365: info@faslane365.org, 01263 512049, Faslane 365,
Valley Farmhouse,
East Runton, Cromer,
Norfolk NR27 9PN.
www.faslane365.org
Quaker resources on the future of UK’s nuclear weapons
QPSW is preparing a resource pack for Friends and others wishing to take action in relation to promoting the non-replacement by the UK of its Trident nuclear weapons system. This decision is to be taken during the current parliament. There is likely to be a small charge for the resource pack, available from late April from...
Disarm@ quaker.org.uk,
020 7663 1067
QPSW Peace & Disarmament Desk, Friends House, Euston Rd,
London NW1 2BJ.
Links to existing resources appearing regularly on the NFPB and QPSW PeaceExchange websites: www.nfpb.gn.apc.org, www.peaceexchange.org.uk
US Missile Defence - still a concern
Since the British Government agreed to allow the base at Fylingdales in Yorkshire to be upgraded, with a view to its forming part of the US Missile De- fence system, little has been heard about this in the mainstream media. The UK is not alone in helping the USA in this way, however, with Japan, Australia (and possibly Poland) also agreeing to make facilities available. Meanwhile, Russia continues to develop missile systems that, it proudly boasts, would be able to get through the US defenses. Observers and ana- lysts are now talking about a new arms race.
Meetings for Worship are still being held at Fylingdales and Menwith Hill bases on the following dates: Fylingdales: 6 May, 1 July, 2 Sept, 4 Nov
Menwith Hill: 1 April, 3 June, 5 Aug, 7 Oct, 2 December
Regular vigils also take place at Menwith Hill on Tuesday evenings. Contact the NFPB office for more details of these.
Viewpoint - America’s “Long War”
V ery many people are absorbing robust scientific information that global warming and the resultant changes in weather patterns provide the greatest challenge to all life on earth. The US Pentagon, however, is planning to spend 513 billion dollars on fighting the war on terror” – or the “long war”, as it has now been rebranded.
The Guardian of 15th February reported on the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), in which the US military envisages a number of significant changes. Amongst these are increasing special operations forces, doubling the stock of unmanned aerial drones, making submarine launched Trident nuclear missiles useable for ‘conventional’ strikes and developing a new long-range bomber force. Their plan “rests on a much higher level of co-operation and
integration with Britain and other NATO allies, and the increased recruitment of regional governments through the use of economic political, military and security means.”.
The role of the United Nations and other international agencies in resolving international disputes is not mentioned. Neither is any awareness indicated that the expansion of US military power in this way might be contributing to disaffection in the Muslim world and elsewhere. Can we afford to tolerate the assumption that rightness belongs to only one western group? Should we not all - NATO countries and Islamic peoples - be open to dialogue now?
I believe many would be unwilling to pay any additional taxes to fund support for UK collaboration with the US and/or NATO in such potentially dire exercises in international relationships. There are alternatives. We must find more ways of working with others and of promoting dialogue and bridge-building at all levels.
Marjorie Hendley, Cheshire MM
Briefly
Envelope re-use labels: These have been recently reprinted and are still just £2.50 for a pack of 100. Available from the NFPB office.
Phone Co-op: The scheme we have with The Phone Co-op raised over £1,000 for our peace work during 2005. Line rental, broadband and other features all available - ask us for a leaflet or sign up through our website
Electronic networking: As well as our website, we have set up an email discussion list for Friends to discuss aspects of the peace testimony - let us know at nfpb@ gn.apc.org if you would like to sign up to this .
Safe Haven: Since the NFPB discussion of asylumissues in No- vember, a Weblog (Blog) has been set up for Friends at: nfpb.blogspot.com
The Peace Board is a newsletter of Northern Friends Peace Board. It is sent free to Northern Quaker Meetings and others. If you would like additional copies for your group or yourself, please get in touch.
A donation to cover extra postage would help, but is not essential.
Victoria Hall, Knowsley Street, Bolton BL1 2AS
www.nfpb.gn.apc.org
Tel: 0845 458 3095 (UK) +44 1204 382330 E-mail: nfpb @gn.apc.org
Please send any news, views, letters, reviews etc. to the above address.
