Category Archives: DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

AFSCME, United States: It’s Time to Get Organized

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union

[Editor’s note: An excellent article about the AFSCME initiative by Fortune Magazine may be found here.]

In 1968, when Dr. King addressed AFSCME-represented sanitation workers during their historic strike in Memphis, Tennessee, he said that “only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars.”

These are some dark times for our country. Elon Musk, billionaires and anti-union extremists have amassed more power than ever before – and they’ve been granted free reign to implement the radical Project 2025 agenda.

AFSCME is fighting back. Already, our lawsuits have helped reverse the illegal firings of thousands of federal workers, including AFSCME members.

But the illegal attacks on federal civil servants are just the tip of the iceberg. An even bigger threat now looms over public service workers, at every level.

The House has passed a budget resolution that sets the stage for nearly a trillion dollars in cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and other federal programs – all to pave the way for even bigger tax breaks for billionaires.

These cuts won’t just rip away health care from millions of seniors, children, Americans with disabilities and working families. They will starve state and local budgets of critical federal funding for hospitals, schools, nursing homes, prisons, transit systems, and all the essential services AFSCME members provide in our communities every single day.

These cuts also would stack the deck against public service workers headed into contract negotiations. The cuts could lead to pay cuts, furloughs and hiring freezes. Our jobs, hard-won benefits, and retirement security are threatened. Our workplace health and safety and even our right to form a union are under attack.

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Question related to this article:
 
What is the contribution of trade unions to the culture of peace?

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The billionaires behind this agenda don’t understand the first thing about what working people go through or why anyone would pursue a career that’s about serving others instead of getting rich.

Indeed, Elon Musk himself – the richest man in the world – has spread online propaganda comparing public service workers to genocidal murderers like Hitler at the very same time he’s pushing for massive cuts to vital public services relied on by seniors, veterans, children, and millions of Americans.

But as Dr. King reminds us, we are not lost in the darkness. Mobilizing and organizing to grow our union’s power has always been AFSCME’s North Star, and that is exactly how we’re going to fight back now.

AFSCME has launched a new campaign, called Get Organized, or AFSCME GO.

The GO campaign is all about making sure everyone in the AFSCME family understands what’s at stake in this fight. It’s about standing up to the billionaires and anti-union extremists trying to steal our power, and defeating any efforts to gut Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

Through Get Organized, we will bring more workers without a voice on the job into the AFSCME family. We will increase engagement among current working members and retirees alike, empowering everyone to build on AFSCME’s proud legacy of activism.

We have faced big challenges before. The billionaires behind the Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME tried to take us out of the ball game completely, but they failed. They failed because they underestimated AFSCME members and our capacity to organize, mobilize and grow. They underestimated Americans’ overwhelming support for unions that give workers a seat at the table and a voice on the job. And they are underestimating us once again.

The battle lines have been drawn. We may not win every fight, but we will emerge stronger than ever before.

Turning crisis into opportunity. Turning defense into offense. It is the AFSCME way. It’s time to fight back. It’s time to get organized.

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DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, North America

The Labor Movement Won Big Victories in 2024. Now It Must Fend Off Trump

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article by Michael Arria in Truthout

(Editor’s note: On February 22, the President of the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employees union, told workers not to obey Elon Musk’s demand for federal workers to justify their jobs or resign.)

In recent years the labor movement has witnessed a resurgence in organizing, and 2024 was no different. Tens of thousands of workers fought for pay raises, increased job protections and union representation. Workers across the United States also linked their domestic struggles with Israel’s assault on Palestine, demanding an arms embargo and an end to the genocide in Gaza. While the labor movement undeniably gained ground in 2024, union organizers now face the looming return of Donald Trump’s pro-business agenda. However, unions are preparing to fight back.


A Starbucks employee pickets outside of a closed Starbucks store during a strike on December 23, 2024, in New York City. ADAM GRAY / GETTY IMAGES

Wage Gains

Thousands of workers achieved wage gains through organizing, whether that be through state-level ballot campaigns or strikes and union negotiations. Ballot initiatives in Alaska and Missouri led to voters boosting the states’ minimum wages in November. The ballot question approach also established paid sick leave in Missouri, Alaska and Nebraska.

“If you can put it on the ballot, people love to vote for a raise,” Fairness Project Executive Director Kelly Hall told Truthout shortly before the election. “This strategy has resulted in raising the wage every time it has gone on the ballot. It’s been a very effective tool for helping to separate common-sense issues like raising the wage from the partisan politics that keep these highly popular issues locked up in state houses.”

After a three-year campaign, American Airlines employees negotiated a five-year deal in September that includes back pay from their 2019 contract expiration and an immediate 20 percent pay hike. The new contract also makes them the first flight attendants to have pay during boarding time guaranteed in a union contract. (Delta, which has fended off several unionization campaigns from flight attendants, was the first to pay flight attendants during boarding.)

“The coolest thing is I had people from so many different unions across the country texting me congratulations,” a Chicago attendant told Labor Notes. “You know, a win for one is a win for all.”

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) secured a new four-year contract for Southwest flight attendants, giving them a 22.3 percent raise by May 2025, and Delta Air Lines raised its starting wages to $19 in response to a union-organizing campaign.

A seven-week strike earned Boeing machinists a 38 percent wage increase over the next four years, 401(k) contribution increases and new signing bonuses.

A three-day strike initiated by the International Longshoremen’s Association resulted in a 62 percent pay increase over six years for thousands of dockworkers.

Union Campaigns

From October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) received 3,286 union election petitions, which was up 27 percent from the 2023 fiscal year.

Overall, union petitions doubled during the Biden years, thanks in no small part to the pro-labor bent of the administration’s NLRB. Through a number of decisions, such as Cemex Construction Materials Pacific, which established a new framework for bargaining, the board made the process easier for workers and undid many of the restraints that were instituted during Trump’s first term. Union petitions haven’t just increased; the win rate for union elections has risen over the last few years.

Seventy-three percent of the employees at a Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, voted to join the United Auto Workers (UAW). The massive victory came after unionization efforts narrowly failed at the plant in 2014 and 2019.

Nearly 10,000 nurses at Corewell Health of Southern Michigan voted to join the Teamsters in one of the biggest NLRB elections in decades, despite a robust union-busting campaign from their employer.

“Health care workers like Corewell Teamsters were praised as heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic, but their employer has had little to no appreciation for them since,” said Director of the Teamsters Public Services Division Peter Finn in a press release after the victory. “Nurses are tired of being disrespected, paid poverty wages, and denied access to the same high-quality care that they provide.”

Thousands of public school employees voted to unionize in Virginia’s Fairfax County, in a victory that affects over 27,000 workers. The win came just four years after the state’s assembly passed legislation overturning a law prohibiting public employees from unionizing.

The unionized editorial staff at Forbes went on a strike in December to protest the business magazine’s slow-walking contract negotiations. It was the first work stoppage in the history of the 107-year-old magazine.

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Question related to this article:
 
What is the contribution of trade unions to the culture of peace?

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“We formed this union to protect the standards of a professional newsroom and create a more inclusive and transparent workplace, as well as for job security, equity in pay and opportunity, and accountability,” said Forbes Statistics Editor Andrea Murphy in a statement. “Management’s only interest is to delay, stall and obstruct, as well as try to block our members from protected union action. We are taking this unprecedented step to show that we will not allow such disrespectful behavior towards our negotiations to continue.”

They walked out again in December, purposely timing it to coincide with the release of the magazine’s popular 30 Under 30 lists.

The ongoing, high-profile labor battles at Amazon and Starbucks continued. Thousands of Amazon workers went on strike for days at the height of the holiday season. “Make no mistake the Teamsters will never let up and workers will never stop fighting for their rights at Amazon,” said a union representative after the work stoppage ended. “Stay tuned.”

December also saw a five-day strike from Starbucks workers across multiple cities after contract talks broke down. The organizing effort got a boost from the NLRB in 2024, as it determined that the company had broken the law by informing workers at its flagship Seattle store that they would lose benefits if they unionized.

Gaza Solidarity

The domestic struggles of 2024 occurred amid Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza, which has been fully supported and funded by the Biden administration. Many workers understandably view the struggles as interlinked.

“The agricultural worker in Idaho may not realize it, but the chickpeas he harvests may be sold to Sabra — jointly owned by PepsiCo and the Strauss Group, Israel’s largest food and beverage manufacturer,” wrote Illinois union plumber Paul Stauffer for In These Times. “Penn Hospital is partly funded by donors to the University of Pennsylvania, some of whom have threatened to pull their donations because they think school officials haven’t done enough to quiet pro-Palestinian voices on campus. The bulldozers that crushed displaced Palestinians as they hid in their tents in Gaza were Caterpillar D9Rs, manufactured in East Peoria.”

Massive labor unions like The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the UAW publicly called for a ceasefire, but rank-and-file members of those organizations are pushing for more action.

Purple Up 4 Palestine, a collective of SEIU workers organizing against imperialism, criticized their union for endorsing Biden amid the carnage. The group is calling on SEIU leadership to call for an end to the genocide, an end to the siege on Gaza, an end to U.S. military support for Israel, and support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement.

Within the UAW, a group of rank-and-file members are pushing the union to divest from Israel bonds.

Trump’s Return

Donald Trump’s return to power signals more tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. It also means the restoration of a pro-business labor board. Any hope of the NLRB maintaining a Democratic majority during a portion of Trump’s second term was extinguished after the Senate blocked President Biden’s renomination of board chair Lauren McFerran. Trump will be able to immediately nominate two pro-business Republicans to the vacant seats and is expected to quickly dump the board’s current general counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo.

Many pundits have suggested that Trump’s victory represents a realignment of the working class, but it’s safe to assume that Trump won’t exhibit any of the public nods to organized labor like those from the White House over the past four years. Biden became the first U.S. president to walk a strike picket line, when he joined UAW workers in Michigan in 2023. During the aforementioned dockworkers strike, Biden refused to intervene despite mounting pressure from Republicans and business groups, despite using his authority to block a strike from rail workers back in 2022.

Additionally, many immigrant workers face a potential threat during a Trump administration, as he has vowed to launch a massive deportation program.

Organized labor is currently preparing to fight back. Just a week into 2025 the SEIU announced that it was rejoining the AFL-CIO to help fight Trump’s anti-worker agenda. The two unions have been unaligned for almost 20 years.

In remarks made at a roundtable discussion shortly after the decision, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler stressed the need for solidarity among workers.

“We just finished an election cycle where one party spent the entire time telling working class people across this country, ‘Look how different you are from each other,’” said Shuler. “‘He’s an immigrant. She’s transgender or they worship differently than you do’ and it worked to some degree, right? We watched it. The scariest thing in the world to the CEOs, to the billionaires in this country and the folks like Donald Trump who do their bidding, is the idea that we might one day see through that. That there is a barista and an airport services worker and a fast food worker and a home care worker and a teacher and a warehouse worker and a cook and an electrical worker, all of them together saying, ‘Your fight is my fight.’ It terrifies them.”

Despite Trump’s victory, enthusiasm for unions remains high. A recent Gallup poll found that disapproval for unions is at 23 percent, the lowest level in almost 60 years. Support for them is at 70 percent — just one point under their highest rating ever.

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DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, HUMAN RIGHTS, North America

Thousands in Midwestern GOP Districts Attend Sanders’ First Stops on Tour to Fight Oligarchy

. HUMAN RIGHTS .

An article by Julia Conley from Common Dreams reprinted according to provisions of Creative Commons

After addressing more than 3,400 Nebraska residents in Omaha Friday evening, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Saturday made his second stop on his National Tour to Fight Oligarchy—telling Iowa City, Iowa residents that "Trumpism will not be defeated by politicians inside the D.C. Beltway."

"For better or worse, that is not going to happen," said the Vermont Independent senator, whose broadly popular policy proposals have long been dismissed by Democratic leaders as unrealistic and radical while President Donald Trump has increasingly captured the attention of the working class Americans who would benefit most from Sanders' ideas.

"It will only be defeated by millions of Americans in Iowa, in Vermont, in Nebraska, in every state in this country, who come together in a strong grassroots movement and say no to oligarchy, no to authoritarianism, no to kleptocracy, no to massive cuts to programs that low-income and working Americans desperately need, no to huge tax breaks for the wealthiest people in this country," said Sanders.

The senator announced his tour earlier this month as Elon Musk, the head of the Trump-created Department of Government Efficiency( DOGE) who poured $277 million on the president's campaign, swept through numerous agencies, with DOGE staffers setting up illegal servers, seizing control of data, shutting federal employees out of offices, and working to shut down operations across the government.

Since Trump took office for his second term just over a month ago, roughly 30,000 federal employees have been fired or laid off—part of Musk's push to cut $2 trillion in federal spending in order to fill the $4.6 trillion hole that Trump's extension of the 2017 tax cuts would blow in the deficit.

Republican lawmakers have also pushed to include cuts to Medicaid, and Trump this week signaled he would back Medicare cuts after repeatedly insisting he would not slash the popular healthcare program used by more than 65 million Americans, in order to save money while handing out tax cuts to the same corporations and ultrawealthy households that benefited from the 2017 tax law.

"Today in America we are rapidly moving toward an oligarchic form of society where a handful of multibillionaires not only have extraordinary wealth, but unprecedented economic, media, and political power," said Sanders in Iowa City, which like Omaha is represented by a Republican U.S. House member who narrowly won reelection last November and has faced pressure to reject the GOP budget plan. "Brothers and sisters, that is not the democracy that men and women fought and died to defend."

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Questions related to this article:

The struggle for human rights, is it gathering force in the USA?

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Sanders began his tour in Omaha and Iowa City to pressure the Republican House members there—Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) out of supporting the GOP's proposed cuts.

"Together, we can stop Republicans from cutting Medicaid and giving tax breaks to billionaires," said Sanders ahead of the Iowa City event.

Sanders drew loud applause when he noted that the increasingly oligarchic political system extends past just Trump, Musk, and Republican lawmakers.

"The role of billionaires in politics, it's not just Musk, it's others," he said. "It's not just Republican billionaires, it is Democratic billionaires. It is the corruption of the two-party system."

Progressive activists and journalists in recent weeks have expressed growing frustration with Democratic leaders as they have publicly appeared to throw up their hands and deny they have any power to fight Trump's attacks on immigrants, transgender children, and other marginalized people.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has garnered scorn for meeting with Silicon Valley executives to "mend fences" with the powerful tech sector—where numerous CEOs have signaled support for Trump during his second term.

Ken Martin, the newly elected chair of the Democratic National Committee, said last month that the party should continue to take money from "good billionaires."

Some Democratic senators have voted for Trump's Cabinet nominees even as members of the caucus have accused Musk of orchestrating a coup on Trump's behalf, and leaders including Jeffries have reportedly become "very frustrated" with progressive advocacy groups like Indivisible and MoveOn for organizing grassroots efforts to pressure the Democrats to act as a true opposition party.

Meanwhile, Sanders this weekend has captured the attention of thousands of people in Republican districts along with hundreds of thousands of people who have watched his anti-oligarchy tour online.

"The energy around what Bernie is doing is insane," said Matt Stoller, a researcher at the American Economic Liberties Project. "It's like there's only one person who is actually able to sidestep the demoralization and frustration."

Jeremy Slevin, a senior adviser to Sanders, reported that in Iowa City, the senator gave “not one, not two, but three different speeches to overflow crowds,” with 2,000 people lining up to see him speak “on a freezing cold day in a Republican district.”

Pointing to the enthusiasm shown in Nebraska and Iowa, Sanders supporters questioned the idea, reportedly embraced by Democratic consultants and politicians, that “Americans don’t understand the word oligarchy.”

“Bernie Sanders launched an anti-oligarchy tour, and it’s the only thing that has popularly resonated within the Democratic Party base,” said Stoller. “That’s fascinating and notable.”

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DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, HUMAN RIGHTS, North America

Burkina Faso: Living together: Traditional and religious leaders speak to their communities

. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION .

An article by Romuald Dofini in Lefaso.net

The Peulh community of Bobo-Dioulasso organized a day to promote culture, peace and social cohesion in Burkina Faso on Sunday, December 22, 2024 in the city of Sya. The theme of this day was: “For good living together in Faso: Traditional and religious leaders from Western Burkina speak to their communities”. During this day, which brought together several social groups, commitments and resolutions were made by the actors to promote social cohesion by giving priority to dialogue in conflict resolution.


Traditional and religious leaders commit to promoting peace and social cohesion

It was with an open heart that traditional and religious leaders spoke to their communities on Sunday, December 22, 2024 in Bobo-Dioulasso. According to them, it was more than necessary to organize this day in view of the situation that the country has been going through for several years. Indeed, the security situation in Burkina Faso has led to dysfunction at all levels, causing in certain areas a disintegration of all segments of the social fabric.

For traditional and religious leaders, this security crisis has also generated conflicts within the populations and led to mistrust between individuals and between communities. For them, the fight led by the defense and security forces against terrorists is commendable, but they believe that for lasting peace, it would be necessary to “re-sew” the social fabric, in order to improve social cohesion, prevent and manage disputes between communities. For this, the establishment and promotion of spaces for dialogue have proven necessary. It is therefore aware of this erosion of the social fabric caused by the security crisis and the role of customary and religious leaders in social mobilization that the Peulh customary chiefdom of Bobo-Dioulasso initiated this day to promote the culture of peace and social cohesion.

The objective of this day was to promote social cohesion in Burkina and particularly in the Grand-Ouest of Burkina. This activity brought together about sixty traditional and religious leaders from the Grand-Ouest of Burkina, citizen watch organizations, women’s organizations as well as the population of Sya, the majority of whom are Peulhs. According to the Peulh chief of Bobo-Dioulasso, Issiaka Sidibé, this day aims to recreate harmony and symbiosis between communities, to invite populations to talk to each other, to accept each other, to forgive each other and to create the conditions for the return of peace in the region and in Burkina Faso.

“It was a duty for us to organize this day because we really want to help the authorities finish their mission to reconquer the territory. We see that they have done a lot, which is why we want to make our contribution through actions. We want to tell our FDS [Force for Defense and Security] and VDP [Volunteers for Defense of the Homemand] that we are with them in heart because it is thanks to them that we live here. This meeting with the customary and religious leaders of the Grand-Ouest is to help ourselves first,” he explained.

During this activity, the traditional and religious leaders were informed about their roles in social mobilization and conflict resolution within their communities; commitments were also made by actors to promote social cohesion, by favoring dialogue in conflict resolution. From the delegation of women, the message conveyed to the community was the same. All the delegations promoted understanding, forgiveness, peace and social cohesion. Furthermore, a message of awareness, support and collaboration between the FDS and the population was conveyed for greater efficiency in the fight against terrorism.

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(Click here for the original article in French.)

Question for this article:

Islamic extremism, how should it be opposed?

The new military governments in Africa: Are they promoting a culture of peace?

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The strong mobilization of all actors leaves the Fulani leader of Bobo-Dioulasso with a feeling of joy and satisfaction. According to him, this mobilization demonstrates their commitment to the culture of peace and cohesion in Burkina Faso. “We are happy and satisfied because the message has been received and all the communities have understood it,” he rejoiced.


Battalion Chief Lassané Porgo, Commander of the Second Military Region of Burkina, welcomes the initiative of the activity

The initiative is welcomed by the military and administrative authorities

The day was attended by Battalion Chief Lassané Porgo, Commander of the Second Military Region of Burkina. In his speech, he did not fail to welcome the initiative of the activity. He believes that the population is finishing the work of the defense and security forces because for him, this war is almost over. “Beyond the room which is full, all the communities, all the points of view, came to give a message and that makes us happy. We are committed to serving the population, to serving Burkina Faso; so as long as this population does not have peace, does not have tranquility, it is our duty not to sleep. And we are not going to sleep until it is over,” he insisted.

Before continuing: “If religious and customary leaders speak to their communities and everyone in their family listens to the big brother or the elder, who listens to the chief and who knows his place, we will end this crisis right away and now. The problem is that we no longer respect the elder. We respect money or the one who has money more than the elder in the family and that must change.” This is why he asked everyone to be sincere, honest and upright and above all to love their neighbor. Battalion Chief Lassané Porgo affirmed that if all the messages passed in the room are sincere, Burkina Faso will soon end this security crisis.

This activity was chaired by the governor of the region, represented by the secretary general of the Hauts-Bassins region, Abraham Somdo. On behalf of the governor, he also welcomed the initiative of this day. “This activity is welcome because it is in line with the government’s priorities. Obviously, the priority that is worth it is the reconquest of the national territory, but in addition to reconquering the territory, we must have activities that allow us to sew the social fabric that has been torn apart by war and conflicts,” he said.

He did not fail to pay tribute to the fighters who watch over the well-being of the civilian population. For him, this day will help strengthen collaboration between the FDS and the population. He stressed that “the FDS create the conditions for the return of peace and it is up to the customary and religious leaders to work to consolidate this peace, to strengthen social cohesion through messages that advocate living together.” The governor’s representative invited the daughters and sons of the region to listen to the community leaders. To these community leaders, he asks them to march resolutely to the rhythm set by the country’s authorities because it is, he said, about building a strong nation, a nation where the daughters and sons speak with one voice, look in the same direction.
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Africa, DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

Colombia: Cúcuta Mayor’s Office Successfully Concludes Workshops on Historical Memory and Culture of Peace

.. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION ..

An article from the Alcaldía de San José de Cúcuta (translation by CPNN)

The Secretariat for Post-Conflict and Culture of Peace has carried out workshops on historical memory, culture of peace and human rights. The project, carried out at the facilities of the Regional Center for Attention to Victims, concludes the measure “Action on historical memory, promotion of the culture of peace and promotion of human rights”, of the Return and Relocation Plans of the communities of Ciudad Rodeo and San Fernando del Rodeo, in the municipality of San José de Cúcuta.

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(click here for the original version in Spanish).

Questions for this article:

What is happening in Colombia, Is peace possible?

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During these meetings, the community became familiar with the basic concepts of historical memory and culture of peace, and deepened their knowledge of human rights. Through timelines, phrases and drawings, they described their surroundings, told their life stories, talked about their neighborhood and projected their aspirations for the future. Through various symbolic acts, they shared their experiences, promoting the recognition of the truth and contributing to their emotional and psychological repair, which helped heal the wounds of the past and strengthen the reconstruction of the social fabric.

The culture of peace workshops created spaces for young people from the municipality, promoting integration and the exchange of experiences. These activities facilitated the improvement of peace practices, using Hip Hop culture as an educational and transformative tool to face challenges, promote values ​​of peace and respect for human rights.

Through various dynamics, the youth sought to promote mutual respect, coexistence, understanding and social transformation through the arts.

Finally, it is important to highlight that all these workshops
contributed significantly to the process of reparation and reconciliation of the victims of the armed conflict, initiating a process of healing and rebuilding relationships based on respect, non-violence and peaceful coexistence; thus contributing to the construction of a more just, stable and harmonious society.
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DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, Latin America

Cameroon: young African scholars rally to cultivate culture of peace

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article from News Watch Cameroon

Young people are generally vulnerable to radicalisation by extremist groups, but experts say the young people, especially in Africa, are hardly invited to the dialogue table where peace processes are being discussed. Some young African scholars want to change the narrative.

Drawn from over 20 countries on the continent, the students of the Pan African University Institute of Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences (PAUGHSS), the African Union’s premiere institution of higher learning, have taken part in a strategic discussion on how to promote a culture of peace on the continent.


Inaugural panel of two-day strategic discussion on “Cultivating a Culture of Peace”

Hosted by PAUGHSS in collaboration with Civic Watch, implementing organisation of the #defyhatenow initiative in Cameroon, the two-day strategic discussion on “Cultivating a Culture of Peace” in Cameroon and across Africa held at the campus of the University of Yaounde II, Soa on the outskirts of the Cameroon capital from November 28 to 29. It was organised as part of activities to mark the UN International Day of Peace, albeit belatedly. The day is observed globally on September 21 of each year.

Desmond Ngala, Founder of Civic Watch and #defyhatenow Country Project Manager for Cameroon said conflicts affect young people on a daily basis and there is need that the age group be brought to the dialogue table to discuss peace processes. By organising the two-day discussion, with varsity dons, experts and the young African scholars, he said, they want to get expertise “but also experiences from different countries across Africa”.

“I must tell you that more and more, young people are not invited to the dialogue table as far as questions of peace are concerned. By organizing this strategic discussion, we are also pushing out the highest call—let’s bring young people to the table”, said Ngala.

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(Click here for another version in French of this article)

Question related to this article:
 
Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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Organisers of the two-day gathering said this year’s theme, “Cultivating a Culture of Peace” matches their institutions’ mutual objectives of fostering peace, unity, and understanding amongst the people in Cameroon and Africa, and is also a powerful reminder that for peace to be possible, everyone must play a part.

New threats require new reforms

In his inaugural lecture, Prof Joseph Vincent Ntuda Ebode, Director of the Center of Research for Political and Strategic Studies of the University of Yaounde II said at the end of the Cold War, the African Union put in place a Peace and Security mechanism to prevent conflicts and ensure stability of countries across the continent. However, the emergence of new threats that were inexistent at the time the instrument was put in place require new reforms at the level of the continental body.

“For example, the AU peace and security mechanism focused on combatting inter-tribal conflicts within countries. By the time it was established, terrorism was not a general threat as it is today. This new threat cannot be managed like inter-tribal conflicts. So, to solve the problem of terrorism for example, we need a new reform at the level of the AU that will put in place forces to fight it,” said Prof Ntuda Ebode who is an expert in International Security and Defense.

Diverse cultures, one objective

In order to promote peace across countries of the continent today, it is undeniable that young people must be taught values such as dialogue, diversity and social cohesion, according to Dr Biloa, PAUGHSS Deputy Director. He said during the two-day discussion, they were going to imbibe in the young scholars the idea that the values will lay the foundation for the construction of Africa and the development of African countries.

“The two-day discussion has brought together young people from different regions of Africa—with diverse cultures, but with one objective—cultivate a culture of peace across the continent,” said Dr Biloa.

Like the other speakers, Prof Arrey William Herman of the Protestant University of Central Africa said it important include all segments of the population in peacebuilding processes for as he puts it: “any peace built for the people without the people is peace built against the people”.

Besides masterclasses and panel discussions with experts from UN agencies, development partners, diplomatic corps, government, and academia, the young scholars also shared experiences of what peace means to them.

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Africa, DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

Book review: A World Parliament – Governance and Democracy in the 21st Century

.. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION ..

Book review from Democracy without Borders

Global challenges such as war, poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental destruction are overwhelming nation-states and today’s international institutions. Even the best policies are futile if there are no appropriate political structures in place to implement them. Autocracy and nationalism further undermine global collaboration. 

Achieving a peaceful, just and sustainable world civilization requires an evolutionary leap forward. Following the emergence of democracy in ancient times and its spread to modern states from the 18th century onwards, a third democratic transformation is imminent: expanding democracy to the global scale. The creation of a democratic world parliament is the centerpiece of this project. 

This book explores the history, contemporary relevance and implementation of this monumental idea. 

This updated and revised edition expands the size by about one fifth.

Published in July 2024, 541 pages.

About the book

History and pioneers

The first part of the book explores the philosophical foundations of cosmopolitanism and a world parliament since ancient times. It fills a gap in the literature by tracing the history of the idea and of the attempts to bring it about from the French Revolution to the present day. In this regard, the book also serves as a comprehensive reference.

Contemporary relevance

The second part sets the issue in the context of global challenges such as climate change and planetary boundaries, the management of public goods, the pandemic threat, the stability of the financial system, combating tax evasion, terrorism and organized crime, disarmament, and protecting human rights. The construction of global democracy also plays a decisive role in combating hunger, poverty and inequality and in global water policy. Rapid developments in the fields of bio- and nanotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence are giving rise to fundamental questions that humanity is not prepared for.

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Questions for this article:

How can parliamentarians promote a culture of peace?

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There is an overarching narrative that exposes the dysfunctions and deficiencies of the international system. At the same time, the alternative of a democratic world order and its underlying principles is presented with increasing depth. The authors stress that there is a right to democracy that applies not only to the national but also to the global level. Against the backdrop of the power structures of the transnational elite, the book argues for the implementation of a new global social contract. Finally, it outlines the contours of a new global enlightenment as well as the emergence of planetary consciousness and global solidarity.

Implementation

The third part discusses pathways, drivers and conditions for a transition to global democracy and outlines elements of a future global constitution. The book suggests that the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly represents a first step that is long overdue.

Second edition

The second edition reflects significant developments since the original publication, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic, autocratization, and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. It incorporates linguistic improvements, updated content, extensive revisions, and additions throughout the book.

Review

“A World Parliament achieves several things. First, it shows how the campaign to create a people’s assembly at the UN carries the baton forward in a long history of efforts to overcome nationalist and racist hatred, discrimination and oppression. Second, it demonstrates why the world’s multiple challenges and crises cannot be addressed effectively and legitimately without a democratic body where everyone on the planet is represented as free and equal. Third, it offers a stirring vision of such a world parliament and a realistic plan of action for bringing it about. Each of these is a major accomplishment. Achieving them all in one book is a triumph.”

Mathias Koenig-Archibugi, Associate Professor of Global Politics in the Departments of Government and International Relations, London School of Economics and Political Sciences

The authors

Andreas Bummel: founder of Democracy Without Borders and the international Campaign for a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. 

Jo Leinen: former member of the European Parliament and former minister of the environment in the German state of Saarland

(Thank you to Peter Newton for sending this article to CPNN.)

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Positive Peace in action: a collaborative journey in Trinidad

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An article by Rotary Peace Fellows and Rotary Positive Peace Activators María Antonia Pérez and Scott R. Martin in the Rotary Service Blog

The island of Trinidad has one of the most diverse populations in the Caribbean. In recent years, however, the political and economic instability of its closest neighbor, Venezuela, has led to a sharp increase in migration, tension and potential for conflict. Cashew Gardens, a neighborhood in Trinidad that has worked to build a stronger community, contacted Mediators Beyond Borders  International for help integrating Venezuelan migrants.  

With support from Rotary International, the Institute for Economics and Peace, Mediators Beyond Borders International and the community of Cashew Gardens, we led the “Building Bridges: Connecting Communities for Positive Peace and Harmony” workshop.

Local Trinidadians and Venezuelan migrants got together to explore conflict resolution, trauma healing, social entrepreneurship, and the eight Pillars of Positive Peace. The goal was to co-design an inclusive and sustainable green market (a place for local agriculture, artisanal products and social entrepreneurial services) for the community.

We wanted to bring leaders together from each of the cultural communities in the region to learn from one another and establish a common language. The Positive Peace framework helped them identify their needs and express them through different value systems. The hope was that the participants could then help design the green market and develop the social and economic programs essential to its success. The Pillars of Positive Peace provided an excellent platform to support that success.

This initial workshop, supported through seed funding for Rotary Positive Peace Activator projects, was conducted in both English and Spanish and brought together a culturally diverse group of dedicated Trinidadians and Venezuelan immigrants, ages 15 to 65, for four days of learning, sharing, and building together. This also marked the first time Rotary Positive Peace Activators from the North American and Caribbean cohort and South American cohort had collaborated together.

In addition to being Positive Peace activators, we are also Rotary Peace Fellows  with different professional experiences, so our participation was deeply personal and fulfilling, not only as part of our commitment to the vision of Rotary, but also to our shared belief in the power of community engagement, art, and social entrepreneurship as tools for peacebuilding.

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Questions for this article:

How important is community development for a culture of peace?

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The workshop focused on these key areas:

Community Cohesion, Conflict and Trauma Awareness
Understanding the Positive Peace framework and the eight Pillars
Cross-Cultural Communication and Social Entrepreneurship
Project Design and Collaboration

These themes were crucial in addressing the unique challenges faced by the participants, who came from unique backgrounds and experienced different economic and social challenges. Many participants had known of each other for years, but this was their first time working together.

The interactive model fostered meaningful conversations, collaborative activities, and powerful storytelling that underscored the potential of unity and shared understanding. The group utilized the tools, methodologies, and resources centered around conflict management, trauma, universal needs, and Positive Peace to think critically about their current roles in the community and brainstorm what more is possible. The dedication and enthusiasm of the participants was truly inspiring, and resulted in clear directives and areas for collaboration moving forward.

We were grateful and inspired by local organizations such as The Ryu Dan Empowerment Foundation, La Casita, and Living Waters for their contributions and commitment to continue collaborating with our team and Cashew Gardens to weave the social fabric for joint prosperity.

While our journey is still in its early stages, the first workshop marked a significant step forward. Participants deepened their understanding of the Positive Peace framework, enhanced their conflict literacy, and learned to navigate cross-cultural interactions. This foundation will empower them to become effective partners within their communities.

The workshop also yielded tangible outcomes. Participants actively discussed and began to envision the potential spaces of the green market. Ideas included a dedicated playground for children and the incorporation of vocational services like a nail salon or barber shop, providing opportunities for underemployed youth.

Furthermore, a group chat has been established where members from the four participating organizations can connect, attend each other’s events, and cross-promote their initiatives. This fosters ongoing partnerships and strengthens community engagement.

The experience highlighted the importance of collaboration among Rotary Peace Fellows and Rotary Positive Peace Activators from across different regions. The cultural and gender balance of the team was also important for connecting fully with the participants. The workshop not only reinforced the principles of Positive Peace but also illustrated the impact that cross-cohort collaboration can have in driving meaningful, sustainable change. As Rotary Positive Peace Activators, we remain committed to continuing this journey, building more bridges, and creating spaces where peace can flourish.

Rotary Positive Peace Activators are Rotary and Rotaract members, Rotary Peace Fellows, and Rotary Action Group members who have been trained through the Rotary Positive Peace Activator program. Learn more about the Rotary Positive Peace Activator network  and the Rotary-Institute for Economics and Peace partnership.

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, Latin America

Videoconference November 14 for a Culture of Peace Revolution

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A press release from Uniting for Peace

On 14th November 2024, Uniting for Peace is hosting a conference on Culture of Peace. A panel of distinguished speakers will be giving their contribution. When all the speakers have spoken then we open up the Q/A which goes on for an hour. Free Online Event, All Welcome to attend.

Title: Why We Fight Wars? Can a Culture of Peace Revolution Work Towards Its End?


Date: Thursday, 14 November 2024
Time: 18:00 – 20:00 (UK time)


To register: https://cultureofpeace2024.eventbrite.co.uk/


Direct link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3482765417?pwd=dXI1WXJRUS9TbHowWVhVNDVMRlR5QT09&omn=89125388863


Meeting ID: 348 276 5417


Passcode: 2022

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Question related to this article:

How can we develop the institutional framework for a culture of peace?

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Chair – Rita Payne, President Emeritus, Commonwealth Journalists Association


Speakers:


Federico Mayor Zaragoza, Former Director-General of UNESCO, Founder, Fundación Cultura de Paz and Author, The World Ahead: Our Future in the Making


Vijay Mehta, Chair, Uniting for Peace, Author, How Not To Go To War


David Adams, Former UNESCO Director, Unit for the International Year for the Culture of Peace, Coordinator, The Culture of Peace News Network


John Gittings, Former The Guardian Journalist Specialised on China and East Asia, Author, The Glorious Art of Peace


Rivera Sun, Editor, Nonviolence News, Program Coordinator for Campaign Nonviolence, Author, The Dandelion Insurrection


Ken Butigan, Senior Professional Lecturer in the Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies Program, DePaul University, Chicago USA

Blurb of the conference is below:

United Nations has declared the official theme for this year 2024 International Day of Peace as Cultivating a Culture of Peace. The pertinent question is: Is war a necessary evil or an organised crime to kill our own human species? Either way, war kills people bringing untold suffering and misery. Also, it’s a waste of vital resources which can be utilised for healthcare, education, jobs and boosting the growth of the economy. If the later argument is valid, then can we replace war by implementing Culture of Peace.

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Announcement of Finalists World Future Policy Award 2024 on Peace and Future Generations

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A press release from World Future Council (slightly abridged)

The World Future Council is delighted to announce 12 exceptional finalists for the 2024 World Future Policy Award on Peace and Future Generations.

From 47 nominations across 29 countries, our distinguished panel of international experts has selected these finalists for their outstanding contributions to sustainable peacebuilding and the well-being of both present and future generations.

The five winners will be revealed and honoured at our high-level award ceremony on 27 November 2024 at the Maison de la Paix in Geneva.

The World Future Policy Award celebrates top policy solutions for current and future generations. We raise global awareness of exemplary laws and policies, accelerating policy action towards a common future where every person lives in dignity on a healthy, sustainable planet. As the world’s premier policy prize, we showcase inspiring and effective policies, not individuals, on the international stage. Each year, we focus on one topic where progress is particularly urgent and receive nominations from across the globe. This year’s topic is Peace and Future Generations.

Enduring peace is perhaps the most critical component for the sustainable development of societies and the protection of both people and the planet. Our global community is in desperate need of creative and inclusive policy solutions at all levels to resolve conflict, prevent war, and foster a culture of peace. The good news is, these policies exist!

Finalists (in alphabetical order)

Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (2017)

Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), focuses on promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls. Its feminist approach addresses systemic gender inequalities, engages men and boys, and fosters inclusive participation. The policy has been implemented in countries like Afghanistan (supporting women’s rights and economic empowerment), Iraq (establishing centres for survivors of sexual violence), Senegal (empowering women in agriculture), and Cambodia (improving food security through climate-resilient agriculture). The FIAP’s influence extends to international development policies, contributing to sustainable peace and security initiatives. .

Costa Rica’s Abolition of the Army (1948) and Affirmation of Active Neutrality (1983 and 2014)

Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948, embedding this in the Constitution (Article 12), followed by the Proclamation of Active, Unarmed, and Perpetual Neutrality in 1983 and the Proclamation of Peace as a Human Right and of Costa Rica as a Neutral Country in 2014. These milestones removed military influence from politics, promoted international peace, and directed resources to social and economic development.. .

Finland’s Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan (2018-2021)

Finland’s third National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security builds on previous plans to enhance gender equality in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. It prioritises women’s participation in peace processes, mediation, gender mainstreaming in security sectors, and the protection of women and girls in conflict zones, while addressing new global security challenges. The plan exemplifies Finland’s leadership in the international WPS agenda, with strong civil society involvement ensuring an inclusive and adaptable approach. . . .

The Great Law of Peace of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Kaianere’ko:wa) (12th/13th Century- ongoing)

The Great Law of Peace, established in the 12th or 13th century, united the Haudenosaunee nations in what is now New York and Canada under a governance system prioritising peace, consensus decision-making, and sustainability. Key features include gender equity through the role of Clan Mothers and a commitment to long-term environmental stewardship. Its influence extended beyond its region, contributing to modern democratic principles and treaty law. . . .

Kauswagan – From Arms to Farms Program (Phillippines) (2010)

Launched in 2010 in Kauswagan, Philippines, the “From Arms to Farms” program reintegrates former combatants through sustainable agriculture, promoting peace between Christian and Muslim communities. By focusing on organic farming and community-led development, the program has transformed conflict zones into peaceful, productive areas. The program significantly reduced poverty from 80% in 2010 to 9.1 % in 2020, increasing food security, while enhancing social cohesion.

Mayor Rommel C. Arnado led consultations and dialogues to address concerns and build trust, encouraging all parties to embrace the program’s potential for positive change. This innovative, effective and holistic approach serves as an exemplary model for peacebuilding initiatives and sustainable development in conflict-affected areas.

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Question related to this article:

How can we develop the institutional framework for a culture of peace?

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The Moriori Peace Covenant (Nunuku’s Law) (16th Century – ongoing)

The Moriori Peace Covenant (Nunuku’s Law) is an extraordinary example of a long-standing commitment to peace, nonviolence, and future generations. Established in the 16th century, it prohibits violence among the indigenous Moriori of Rēkohu (Chatham Islands, New Zealand). Despite facing immense aggression and discrimination from Māori tribes Ngāti Mutunga and Ngāti Tama, and later European settlers, the Moriori upheld their commitment to non-violence.Though this led to tragic losses, the Covenant became a powerful symbol of resilience ad integrity. . .

The Nigerian National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (NNAPYPS) (2021)

The Nigerian National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security (NNAPYPS) was developed in response to UN Security Council Resolution 2250, making Nigeria the first African country and second globally to adopt such a policy. It seeks to engage youth in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, focusing on vulnerabilities like unemployment and empowering young people as peacebuilders. Despite contextual challenges, NNAPYPS shows great potential and has already improved youth engagement and representation, with incremental replication at the state level.
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Peace Education – Executive Order No. 570: Institutionalising Peace Education in Basic Education and Teacher Education (2006)

Executive Order No. 570, implemented in the Philippines, institutionalises peace education in basic and teacher education. Its goal is to promote a culture of peace by equipping students and educators with conflict resolution and nonviolent skills. The policy integrates peace education into the formal curriculum and fosters collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, schools and universities. Key outcomes include reduced school violence and the empowerment of educators and students to address the root causes of conflict, contributing to national unity and social cohesion. . . .

Rwanda Peace Education Programme (2013)

Rwanda’s Peace Education Programme (RPEP) aims to promote peace, social cohesion, and reconciliation following the 1994 genocide. It integrates Peace and Values Education into the national curriculum, focusing on empathy, critical thinking, and conflict prevention. The programme uniquely employs a Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) and narrativebased teaching, using survivor testimonies to deepen understanding of peacebuilding. Key outcomes include improved social cohesion and a stronger culture of reconciliation, positioning the programme as a strong model for peace education. . .

Supporting Bougainvillean-Owned Peace: The New Zealand-Led Pacific Partnership for Peace Monitoring and Mediation (1997-1998)

The Bougainville peace process is a uniquely successful example of regionally supported, locally led conflict resolution. The New Zealand-led Pacific Partnership for Peace (1997-1998) played a key role in this process after nearly a decade of civil war. The initiative’s main components, the Burnham Talks and the Truce Monitoring Group, used a ‘light intervention’ approach characterised by inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, unarmed truce monitoring, and diplomacy. This policy contributed to a sustainable, locally-led ceasefire and stabilisation of the conflict. . . .

Switzerland’s Active Neutrality Policy (1815/1848/1907)

Switzerland’s Active Neutrality Policy, declared in 1815 and embedded in the Swiss Constitution in 1848, was codified in international law through the Hague Conventions of 1907. Its aim is to safeguard Switzerland’s independence and security by avoiding military involvement in wars while actively promoting global peace through diplomacy and humanitarian aid. This blend of military neutrality with diplomatic engagement has led to Switzerland’s leadership in the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), mediation in international conflicts, and providing humanitarian aid and refuge during crises. Over time, it has strengthened Switzerland’s stability, security, and role in global peacebuilding.

Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015

The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is a landmark policy designed to promote sustainable development across all public bodies in Wales. Its core aim is to enhance the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of Wales, ensuring that present decisions do not compromise future generations. The Act mandates legal accountability for public bodies and prioritises community engagement at all levels, fostering economic resilience, environmental preservation, and social cohesion.

“At a time when we are experiencing the highest number and intensity of armed conflicts this century, it is vital to find, analyse and learn from successful approaches in conflict resolution and peace-building. We are excited to have received a high number of nominations of successful policies from a wide variety of places around the world. We can be inspired by these to build a more peaceful world for current and future generations. “— Alyn Ware, Spokesperson for Peace and Disarmament, World Future Council & Jury Member, 2024 World Future Polic

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