Global Zero declaration for a world free of nuclear weapons

I have just signed a petition supporting the Global Zero declaration for a world free of nuclear weapons.

The risk of military or terrorist nuclear attacks is escalating daily.

But, at the same time, one of the best chances to rid the world of nuclear weapons is happening. A group of influential figures called Global Zero is beginning to persuade the nuclear powers that the only answer to this global security crisis is the elimination of all nuclear weapons.

Please read the email below and sign up by clicking here



Thanks!

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Dear friends,

Whether in the Korean peninsula, in unstable Pakistan, or in the volatile Middle East, the risk of military or terrorist nuclear attacks is escalating daily. Yet one of the most real chances to rid the world of nuclear weapons is happening and will be won or lost far from the headlines.

Next week in Moscow, Presidents Medvedev and Obama could make history by agreeing to reduce their nuclear arsenals and set the world´s course towards a nuclear-free world. A group of highly influential figures (1) called Global Zero has presented a four-step plan to achieve that goal and, though it seems incredible, they are successfully persuading the nuclear powers that the world is more secure without nukes.

What's needed now is a massive surge of people power urging the US and Russia to take bold these steps to achieve global zero. Click below to sign the petition and help deliver a deafening call to action. Global Zero leaders will hand it over to Presidents Obama and Medvedev:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/time_to_global_zero

For decades the disarmament movement has sought to rid the planet of nuclear weapons. During the Cold War, the efforts of citizens across the world played a key role in curbing the nuclear arms race, helping prevent nuclear war. But all too often their goal has been regarded as utopian and improbable.

Now, an alliance of the sound advice of security experts and the democratic force of citizens worldwide has a realistic possibility of achieving this goal.

Last April, Obama and Medvedev said they were committed to a world free of nuclear weapons. But it will require a massive concerted effort to press them to turn rhetoric into action.

In the face of a deepening crisis, the summit next week is a tremendous opportunity for human progress. Let's pile on the pressure to seize it.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/time_to_global_zero

With hope,

Luis, Alice, Ricken, Pascal, Paula, Graziela, Paul, Brett, Milena, Ben, Margaret, Raluca, Alice W, Raj and the whole Avaaz team.

(1) Global Zero includes former heads of state, such as Jimmy Carter and Mikhail Gorbachev, former foreign and defence ministers, national security advisors, and former top military commanders. More information at: http://www.globalzero.org/en/about-campaign

Sources:

IAEA Chief Warns Of Possible New Wave Of Nuclear Proliferation
http://www.avaaz.org/nuclear_proliferation

Global Zero offers plan to eliminate nukes by 2030, AP, 29 June 2009:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gSWX9EdJu8HH4xpD5AdAlSCkR_ewD994J2Q00

Putin Talks of Giving Up Nukes, The Moscow Times, 11 june 2009: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/1010/42/378483.htm

Alert level raised on North Korea, BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8071175.stm

Scrapping nuclear arms is now realpolitik. Six security experts urge America and Russia to act today
http://www.avaaz.org/the_times_nukes

Full Global Zero Action Plan available at:
http://www.globalzero.org/en/global-zero-press-release-june-29

Free Euna Lee and Laura Ling

I received this petition from Care2's ThePetitionSite the other day and would like to bring it to your attention. Here's the letter they sent me:

Do you know about Euna Lee and Laura Ling? The two journalists were investigating human rights abuses of North Korean women when they were arrested by North Korean authorities. The two were recently sentenced to 12 years hard labor for "illegal entry" and "hostile acts."

Their sentence is much harsher than expected, which is why we believe that the regime in Pyongyang is using them as pawns in a dangerous game of escalating tensions with the international community.

Getting Pyongyang to listen is a challenge, but China is the major provider of energy/ food and may be able to use its influence to help free the journalists.


Please urge President Hu Jintao to act on behelf of Euna Lee and Laura Ling.

Thanks for taking action!

Samer
ThePetitionSite

Gene Sharp and the Albert Einstein Institution

So I'm currently taking a Peace and Conflict Studies course titled "Roots of Conflict, Violence, and Peace" by distance education and learning all sorts of interesting information. The materials for the current module I'm working on include a link to this site: The Albert Einstein Institution which is "a nonprofit organization advancing the study and use of strategic nonviolent action in conflicts throughout the world." I haven't looked around it too much yet, aside from the publications tab where you can download for free various books and information on the subject of nonviolence.

Today I was reading through last weekend's local newspaper and came across this article about Gene Sharp, the founder of this organization. He wrote a book, 85 pages long, titled From Dictatorship to Peace (I'm linking to the English version, not the Farsi version mentioned in the article) and it seems this book is a very hot title in Iran these days. I downloaded it tonight, although I'm not sure when I'm going to find the time to read it. I hope it helps change things over there. Apparently it helped them in Eastern Europe not so long ago.

Don't you just love synchronicity?

It's about time

Hello everyone! It's been over a year since I last posted. It's rather ironic - I went back to school part-time to pursue a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, and somehow lost all motivation to continue posting here. Finally, the motivation has returned, and I hope to build some momentum here.

I was doing some reiki work tonight, and decided to send some of the energy in the direction of North Korea. There is so much happening in the world, as I suppose there always seems to be. Anyone reading this who is a healer, I invite you to join me in sending healing energy to any and all who need it, particularly in areas such as North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sudan, the list goes on.

I'll be back with more posts, and I promise it won't take me months this time. There is too much work to be done. Time to get the ripples flowing.

Bloggers Unite For Human Rights

May 15 is the day that Bloggers Unite has designated "Bloggers Unite for Human Rights", and I almost missed it! I've been busy with school and various life events, and almost forgot about it. Thankfully they emailed me a reminder.

When I first heard about this day I had in mind an article I wanted to write, but I don't have time to do it justice today, so it will wait for another day. Instead, I thought I'd talk about Amnesty International.

I first learned about Amnesty International when I was in high school, and my English teacher started up a group in the school. Later, I joined a local group and have been involved off and on for many years. I have had the opportunity to meet many inspirational people as a result of this involvement, including people who have been helped by Amnesty's work. The idea that one person writing a letter (or signing a petition) can make a difference has been proven - because with the help of an organization like Amnesty, one person's efforts are joined by the efforts of many others, and the weight of all those letters can and does get the attention of those we write to. If you would like to write a letter, or to see some recent calls for action, click here. If you need help with letter writing, here are some letter writing tips. They also just released a press release about the worsening situation in Zimbabwe.

In some countries, I could be thrown in jail for writing this blog. I write it for those who don't have that luxury. And I thank Amnesty International for inspiring me to educate myself about events happening around the world as well as in my own backyard, and for giving me the belief that yes, one person CAN make a difference.

Pangea Day Update

They just put up a 1-hour highlight compilation. A couple of hours after I finished posting, I'm still saying "wow" - this was a powerful broadcast. I highly recommend visiting PangeaDay.org and checking out all the inspirational films and information that is there. Many of the profiles contain multiple links for further investigation.

Pangea Day

Today was/is Pangea Day. Pangea Day is the brainchild of filmmaker Jehane Noujaim, who won the 2006 TED Prize, which included the granting of a wish to change the world. As a result of her wish, the world came together today to watch 24 short films from filmmakers around the world, as well as to listen to inspirational speakers and musical performances. It was broadcast in 7 languages to millions of people around the world through the internet, television, and mobile phones.

I missed the first hour and a half, but was enthralled by what I was privileged to witness. Rwandan singer-songwriter Jean Paul Samputu, who lost several family members to the genocide, spoke about forgiveness. "Forgiveness is a weapon against violence." He encouraged us to build an arsenal of it.

The film Encounter Point tells the story of the Middle East from a different point of view than is shown on the nightly news. It ends with a quote from an Israeli father. "If we who have lost what is most precious can talk to each other, and look forward to a better future, then everyone else must do so, too." (Tzivka Shahak) After watching the film, Robi Damelin, an Israeli woman whose son was killed by a Palestinian sniper, read a letter she wrote to the sniper's mother, calling for reconciliation. She is active in an organization called Bereaved Families Forum which unites Israeli and Palestinian families who have lost loved ones to the conflict. Another member of this organization, Ali Abu Awwad, a Palestinian peace activist, appeared on stage with her and also spoke.

Ishmael Beah was a child soldier in Sierra Leone until he was rescued by UNICEF. In his words: "We have a responsibility to expose ourselves to our world, to see our common humanity, to learn about other people -- not only in times of war, but in times of peace."

Laughter Club is a film, directed by Neil Davenport, about a phenomena which began in India, created by Dr. Madan Kataria whose goal is to have 1,000,000 laughter clubs around the world. It is already in 60 countries, although he didn't say how many clubs there are so far. After the film was shown, Dr. Kataria got his global audience (including myself, watching it at home over the internet) to stand up and "laugh for world peace."

An Iranian film, Sili (The Slap) directed by Ehsan Amani, tells this story: "A soldier, a young woman, a colonel, and an old woman board a train. Nobody, save one of them, can explain what happens next." I hope they put the film up for this one (as I type this, they haven't yet) because the ending was hilarious.

Scholar and writer Karen Armstrong spoke about compassion. "Every single one of the world's major faiths believes that it is not sufficient to just extend your compassion to those in your own group; you must take it to out to others as well." She said something else which I tried to note down quickly and I apologize if I didn't get it quite right, but this was her elaboration on The Golden Rule: "Look inside yourself and see what it is that causes you pain, then absolutely refuse, under any circumstances, to cause that pain to someone else." If anyone captured this quote more accurately, please feel free to post it in the comments here.

These were just a few of the highlights. If you missed it, don't despair. Visit the website. Many of the films are available for viewing, and you can read tons of comments that people have posted. If you click on the side link "Act: Make a Difference" there are links to many participating organizations who have posted calls to action. I feel so blessed that I heard about this event just in time to take part in it. It was phenomenal!