| The Peace Alliance Newsletter October 2007 |
Contents |
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Student Peace Alliance National Conference
The packed weekend also included discussions of business and peace, panels on international issues and the intersection of art and peace, and breakout sessions on domestic issues (gang and youth violence prevention, prisoner rehabilitation, and translating idealism to action) and grassroots organizing issues (nonviolent communication, fundraising, event planning, recruitment, media relations, and others). Of course, there was time for fun and lots of music, in the form of performances by Albeback and The Flobots, a spontaneous “Open Mike” night, and a midnight dance party. Department of Peace Campaign state coordinators who attended as volunteers in support of the conference just kept saying, "This is great," as youth participants explored complex issues through thoughtful, probing and sincere Q&A sessions and conversations. There was also a distinct appreciation for the approach of SPA and the philosophy of The Peace Alliance. A typical comment was something like, "I was angry and depressed and then I found SPA and could put my energy somewhere positive - now I have hope." Capping off the weekend, SPA youth activists came together to co-create their first national action, a Congressional call-in campaign scheduled for the week after Thanksgiving. More details will be coming soon, and all Department of Peace supporters, regardless of age, will be encouraged to participate. And the icing on the cake has been the huge upsurge following the conference in the establishment of Student Peace Alliance chapters on campuses around the country. The number of chapters now stands, at the end of October, at 54 – about 20 more than before the conference less than two weeks ago! Congratulations to Aaron Voldman, SPA Executive Director, Julia Simon-Mishel, SPA Managing Director, and their support team at Brandeis for producing an amazing organizational and programmatic accomplishment. And a big thank-you to Brandeis University itself for its support and in-kind donations of facilities and services. Report from Japan: The Third Global Summit for Ministries and Departments of Peace The Japan Summit was a turning point for the Global Alliance, as participants realized the depth and breadth of possibility of our work internally as peacebuilders and externally as "lay" ministers and secretaries of peace. There is a momentum building that will undoubtedly lead to increased participation and visibility. Further, it seems inevitable that we will continue to see more countries initiating ministries and departments of peace as we make the shift from living in a culture of violence to living in a culture of peace, and as we take action, each in our own way, to establish the conditions for a culture of peace. Click here to read the Summit Report. [PDF] Press for Peace Report On October 12, 2007, staff and volunteers for the Peace Alliance delivered press packets to the 68 current cosponsors of HR 808, legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace, encouraging them to enroll additional members of Congress in supporting this vital legislation. They also visited Representatives whose grassroots constituencies were conducting mirror actions in-district. Each packet shared a wealth of media generated over the past year about the movement and the Department of Peace legislation. In DC, five teams of two to four people visited offices and then celebrated the action with lunch afterwards. Some people were actually able to spend a few minutes with Congress members who shared their appreciation for the continued work of the grassroots movement. In all interactions with cosponsors and their staff, activists invited the Congress members to help spread the word about and garner additional support for the Department of Peace among their colleagues. Additional visits were coordinated in-district and on the Hill during subsequent weeks, building on the powerful media message to create lobbying opportunities. Congratulations and gratitude to everyone who participated in this action, and to everyone who helped generate such positive press about the U.S. Department of Peace. Stories from the Field South Carolina Concert for Peace North Carolina Student Walk-A-Thon Washington State Department
of Peace Community Education-- Multi-Faith Understanding "Gift of Peace" in New Hampshire
for International Day of Peace Press for Peace: Massachusetts and Maryland --------------------------------------- Monthly Grassroots Conference Calls
Campaign Materials and Merchandise
We have a number of items in our web store to help you promote the Peace Alliance and your local campaigns for a Department of Peace. Visit Our Store Now! |
~~~ November Actions! November 26-30, the Student Peace Alliance is sponsoring a national Congressional Call-in Campaign. This is the first major national action by SPA that was co-created by youth activists nationwide who came together at the Student Peace Alliance National Conference. More details will be provided soon! ~~~ Support Continues to Grow! For a list of the 68 Congressional co-sponsors of HR808, click here. Two Michigan Cities Add Their Support for HR 808 in October At its October 15 meeting, the Kalamazoo City Commission voted unanimously to support HR 808, the bill that would establish a cabinet-level Department of Peace. Kalamazoo’s vote came just two weeks after Lansing city officials adopted a similar resolution. For the Lansing story, click here and for Kalamazoo, click here. For a list of all 27 cities, counties, and tribal councils who have endorsed the Department of Peace and Nonviolence, and to find out how you can do likewise in your city, click here. For a list of organizations endorsing the Department of Peace campaign, and a form to sign yours up, click here. ~~~ Get Active in your Community!
~~~ Quote of the Month
If you have a favorite quotable from a notable about peace or evocative of what peace means, we will be happy to consider it for this space. Please send to mike@thepeacealliance.org. ~~~ Hosting a Peace Empowered Event? Don't forget you can list it using our Distributed Event Tool. You can alway see all listed events (if any) or Search for events on this page. And don't forget, you can also create your own fundraising campaigns! ~~~ Update Your Profile ~~~ Amazon.com
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