So why, in the 21st century, with all our skills, knowledge and resources, are we still waging war?
Lack of political will to implement internationally agreed disarmament initiatives.
Arms sales fuel tensions, contribute to instability and impoverish recipient countries. On the other hand the multi-billion pound arms industry, its workersand shareholders profit handsomely from war and its consequences.
Human rights abuses, often underpinned by British arms, create a climate of alienation. Frustration easily breeds violence which in turn leads to further abuse, which completes the circle of violence.
So what, in the 21st century, with all our skills, knowledge and resources, can we do to make war obsolete?
Promote a respect for human rights by example, not by force.
Dismantle nuclear weapons and reallocate resources to peace-building, conflict prevention and non-violent diplomacy.
Relocate resources from military research (30% in the UK) to non-damaging and life enhancing technologies.
Promote a non-military approach to security.
Develop a coherent programme of education for peace, in which children and adults alike can discover that preparing to kill strangers or actually killing them is not the route to a better world.
Lack of political will to implement internationally agreed disarmament initiatives.
Arms sales fuel tensions, contribute to instability and impoverish recipient countries. On the other hand the multi-billion pound arms industry, its workersand shareholders profit handsomely from war and its consequences.
Human rights abuses, often underpinned by British arms, create a climate of alienation. Frustration easily breeds violence which in turn leads to further abuse, which completes the circle of violence.
So what, in the 21st century, with all our skills, knowledge and resources, can we do to make war obsolete?
Promote a respect for human rights by example, not by force.
Dismantle nuclear weapons and reallocate resources to peace-building, conflict prevention and non-violent diplomacy.
Relocate resources from military research (30% in the UK) to non-damaging and life enhancing technologies.
Promote a non-military approach to security.
Develop a coherent programme of education for peace, in which children and adults alike can discover that preparing to kill strangers or actually killing them is not the route to a better world.
Peace Pledge Union
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