The fourth international meeting |
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Meeting on November 22, 1997, in Bern, Switzerland.
Minutes from the discussion
On our 4th international meeting "Europe without Armies - One Peace for all" we discussed:
- the changes in the global system since 1989
- the changes in the ideological framework of defence / security since 1989
- the lack of changes in the military systems since 1989
following fields of concerns were spotted:
- abolishing the armies as overcome tools for defence in times without enemy: There is more army in Europe then democracy. Who has the saying about a European Army? European campaigning against armies and for the citizens democratic rights on the level of European Constitution, European Initiatives and Referendums.
- confront the new ideological framework of security and solidarity with military means / "peace keepers" instead of "army"
- think about and work on civil alternatives, facing civil dangers with civil means (Civil Peace Services): qualifications, expectations, commitment, professionalism... new civil security architecture.
- disarmament on global and unilateral basis, conversion of the military system to civil use: European Network Against Arms Trade ENAAT. Job security
- the system of conscription vs. professional armies
- the daily violence (nationalism, fundamentalism, gender issues, war-toys...): non-violent conflict transformation as part of school and education programs.
- state money and NGO work: donations, grants, subventions... how to finance peace?
We exchanged dates of our international agenda:
- March 17-21, 1998: GSoA will start ist two new initiatives "Security instead of defence: for a Switzerland without an Army" and "Solidarity creates Security - for a voluntary Civil Peace Service".
We launch March 21 as a European Day against Military and Armies.
- April 27-29, 1998: Quakers European Peace Council in Oslo.
- May 15/16, 1998: European Meeting on Civil Peace Services in Germany
- May 29-31, 1998: European Peace Congress in Osnabruck, Germany > http://www.dfg-vk.de/peacecongress1998
- June 2-7, 1998: Meeting and congress in Paris against arms trade
- August 1st, 1998: Swiss national day and 150 years of confederal Switzerland. A international open air concert and cultural event for a Europe without armies in Bern.
- September 19-24, 1998: War Resisters Triennial in Porec, Croatia
- May 1999: Hague Appeal