Triennial Programme
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War Resisters’ International
International Conference
Germany, July 2006
War Resisters’ International’s conference “Globalising Nonviolence” will take place near Paderborn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, 23rd-27th of July 2006. The Conference will be hosted by WRI's biggest German affiliate - DFG-VK (Deutsche Friedensgesellschaft – Vereinigte KriegsdienstgegnerInnen) - in cooperation with other German affiliates. It will bring together activists from all over the world in a 5-day conference on the issues of globalisation of militarism, economy and nonviolent activism.
In the context of globalisation, a "movement of movements" is converging. This movement seeks to counterpose the perspective and values of people's power to those of global power structures. It can be seen both in campaigns against the policies of transnational corporations or global financial institutions and in anti-war mobilisations. It connects a host of local campaigns with a swelling global consciousness that declares “another world is possible”. We refer to this as "globalisation from below".
War Resisters' International believes that this "movement of movements" has an even greater capacity for nonviolent strategy than we have yet seen. This would require greater awareness of the potential of nonviolence, but also clarity about appropriate nonviolent strategy. We consider that we are in a position to make a distinctive contribution here as a result of our consistent work on the range of issues around international militarisation, together with our experience of transnational organising and in particular of strategies of nonviolent action. Hence the theme of our international conference – Globalising Nonviolence.
This conference, like past international conferences organised by the WRI, is conceived of as an opportunity for all participants to network and develop points of cooperation. Face-to-face encounters – especially in a framework that gives time together in theme groups and 'home groups' – serve to make a qualitatively different connection than is possible via print or electronic means. We expect this conference, like those in the past, to lead to a regular interchange between participants from different regions.
Aims and Outcomes
At Globalising Nonviolence we plan to have between 200 and 250 participants from all over the world. WRI is making a special effort to reach those activists making up the ‘movement of movements’ referred to above and to highlight the nonviolent potential of “globalisation from below”. The conference will also be attended by members and representatives of WRI’s own network of over 90 affiliate organisations all over the world. Representatives of WRI affiliates are expected not just to report back to their own organisations but to write articles and disseminate ideas and information gathered at the conference.
A central aim of the conference is to create new initiatives and new links between activists from different groups, which would carry on beyond the conference itself and help promote nonviolent practice and analysis worldwide. The conference will also have an impact on the programmatic work carried out under WRI's auspices, especially as part of WRI's Nonviolence Programme.
As for the discussions at the conference itself, they will aim at:
- Analysing the contemporary situation of economic, cultural and political globalisation. How are capitalist globalisation and militarism related?
- Developing strategies for nonviolent resistance towards the unjust aspects of globalisation. How do we create nonviolent social change?
- Bringing together people from the globalisation critical movement and WRI's network of pacifists and anti-militarists for mutual exchange of ideas on nonviolent opportunities for resistance.
- Strengthening networks and capacities.
There are also tangible forms of outcome expected: a conference video and the development of a campaign against war profiteers (see Video Activism and War Profiteers theme groups in Appendix I), and the publication, in four languages, of the conference report. There will also be a daily newsletter published during the conference for the benefit of the participants.
Up to 40 of the participants are resource persons, invited to the conference as group conveners, plenary speakers and key participants. The resource persons will come both from within and from outside the WRI network itself. Their contribution would be in terms of their skills, knowledge or involvement in a particular situation. By inviting activists from the global South as resource persons, we aim not only to benefit fromtheir contribution to the conference, but also to overcome economic barriers and geographical distance to make the conference truly global.
Simultaneous interpretation in English, German, Spanish and French (as well as interpretation to other languages if and when necessary) will help make the conference even more diverse and overcome language barriers.
Our experience is that these conferences produce many bi-lateral relationships of cooperation that do not depend on coordination from the WRI office. Past activities that grew out of WRI conferences have included speaking tours, study/solidarity visits, training exchanges, compiling informational material or co-writing political pamphlets, or groups in richer countries providing material support to those in poorer countries.
Globalising Nonviolence will be immediately followed by a smaller "WRI Business Meeting" in which members and affiliates of WRI will be able to consider some of the proposals developed in the larger conference for the future work of the WRI network itself.
WRI’s Unique Contribution
WRI provides a strong organisational base for the conference. Founded in 1921, WRI is a network of pacifists, anti-militarists and nonviolent activists on every continent, who work to end war and the causes of war. With its long history and broad network, WRI serves as a central gathering point for a broad community of concerned and active citizens.
WRI’s mission statement explains that “War Resisters' International exists to promote nonviolent action against the causes of war, and to support and connect people around the world who refuse to take part in war or the preparation of war. On this basis, WRI works for a world without war. WRI embraces nonviolence. For some, nonviolence is a way of life. For all of us, it is a form of action that affirms life, speaks out against oppression, and acknowledges the value of each person.”
Throughout its history, members of WRI have taken a lead not only in movements against war but in applying nonviolence to a wide range of other social issues, both in their own countries and internationally. Perhaps the most famous example is the role of US conscientious objectors such as Bayard Rustin in developing nonviolent action strategies for the civil rights movement, but there are many other examples in different countries.
To this conference, the WRI is bringing its historic active commitment in the field of nonviolence, as well as its experience in organising conferences of this sort.
The Theme of the conference is also a continuation of War Resister’s International’s work on globalisation and its overall involvement in the globalisation-critical movement. WRI has actively participated in several social forums, especially the recent European Social Forum in London in 2004, where WRI offered five workshops on war resistance, nonviolence and peace. We maintain good working links with a large number of anti-globalisation groups all over the world.
Appendix I: Outline of the Programme for the Conference
The General Structure of the Conference
Each day of the conference will begin with a plenary session on the major topic of that day. Then participants will divide into 10 theme and activity groups, where the same 10-30 people will meet every day during the conference to discuss a specific theme in depth or engage in action to produce some tangible outcome. After lunch there will be one-time workshops, an afternoon plenary session and space for different home-groups (groups of common language, geographical area or field of interest) to meet and discuss the various issues that came up during the day. There will also be an exhibition, music/art performance, time for a party and other forms of social space, since much of the best networking takes place in between the official programme.
The details in the programme outline below are still in the planning stages.We have not yet planned individual workshops for the conference, and indeed, it is part of the plan for the conference to leave some space for spontaneous organisation of workshops by participants on the spot. Names of speakers, facilitators and other resource persons, as well as the exact content of plenary sessions, are being discussed at present, and are therefore not mentioned below.
Day Topics
Day one:
Opening Plenary “Globalising Nonviolence”
Facilitation: Howard Clark, Majken Soerensen
Speakers: Joanne Sheehan, Jürgen Grässlin
The opening session aims to set a more participatory tone than in most international conferences. In addition to two keynote speeches, there will be activities to bring participants together – first to explore their own involvement in globalisation and second to present some of the projects they are promoting.
The session will conclude with an exercise drawing up a list of the assumptions that participants hold in common – points that do not need debating or constant reiteration but can be assumed in the debates that follow, so reducing the danger of too much repetitive stating of the obvious.
A multi-media presentation on campaigns focusing on globalisation is also being considered.
Day two:
“Militarism and globalisation”
On this day we will analyse the process of globalisation and its links with militarism, especially focusing on the economic aspects of globalisation.
Morning plenary: "Economy and militarism"
Facilitation: ?
Speaker: Maria Mies
The speaker of the morning plenary will address the following questions:
- How does economic globalisation strengthen militarism?
- How does militarism strengthen economic globalisation?
- How is the justification (the public and the real justification) for war changing (eg “war on terrorism”, “conflict prevention in failed states”)?
- How is war itself changing?
Workshops
Workshops will include (still in planning stages):
- “The role of military intervention in globalising the sex industry”
- “Globalisation and the rise of belligerent religious fundamentalism”
- “Post-war peacebuilding: an abused concept”
Evening plenary: "Privatisation of Military and War"
Facilitation: ?
Speakers: Ann Feltham (Campaign Against Arms Trade UK), Simon G Harak (WRL, USA)
One of the ways warfare is changing is the increase in private military companies and private security, "outsourcing" of services for the military and "mercenaries". The speaker(s) of the evening plenary will address the following questions:
- How is the military in different parts of the world making use of "outsourcing" and for what reasons?
- What is the role of "mercenaries"?
- Do private military contractors change warfare?
Day three:
“Learning from globalisation from below”
This day will investigate nonviolent actions against the negative aspects of globalisation already taking place and present the possibilities for activists from all over the world to learn from the experience of these nonviolent actions.
Morning plenary
Facilitation: ?
Speakers: Paul Russmann, Germany, Samiira Jama Ebli, Somaliland
The morning plenary will focus on a case study where groups from the global south and global north have worked together as an example of globalised cooperation from below. The case study will be on small arms, where German and East African groups have worked together (wihtin the IANSA network).
The plenary will address the following questions:
- How to start a north/south cooperation
- What are the benefits and challenges of campaigning together?
Workshops
Workshops will include:
- “Military, Conscription and Social Welfare”
- “Women – the global proletariat”
Evening plenary
Facilitation: Jorgen Johansen ?
Speakers: N.N., Dorothy Naor (New Profile), Shireen al-Ajab, Palestine
Global politics created and continues to fuel the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But this conflict has also been the focus of a range of nonviolent initiatives – among Palestinians and Israelis, as well as internationally. These range from promoting cooperation and dialogue between various types of counterparts in each community – youth, women, professions, etc – to solidarity projects, various forms of “accompaniment” and international nonviolent presence. To some extent, non-governmental initiatives around this conflict can be seen as an example of “globalisation from below” trying to support local attempts to attain a just peace. The plenary will thus address the following questions:
Some international nonviolent initiatives has been seen as an attempt to dictate strategy to the Palestinians. *What can be learnt from the interaction between international movements and local actors?
- Solidarity actions with various groups inside Israel-Palestine are often a means of pressure on external actors such as foreign governments. What leverage for change do they exert, and how can that be strengthened?
- Can we consider nonviolence as effective in this context?
Day four: “For a nonviolent strategic framework”
Building on the previous day, day four will look at how WRI can develop its nonviolent strategies and how WRI can contribute with its knowledge of nonviolent actions to the globalisation-critical movement.
Morning plenary
Facilitation: ?
Speaker: Stellan Vinthagen
For several years, globalisation from below movements have organised actions at summits and meetings of the global financial institutions like the World Bank. The movement has established its own structure of world, regional and local social forums.
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the actions at global summits? How can their nonviolent character be strengthened? What means are appropriate in challenging non-state structures of power? How relevant is civil disobedience in this context?
- What are the possibilities for action against corporations making profit of war?Mobilisation is itself a goal but for what goals do we mobilise?
- What is needed to move beyond protest and towards social change?
Workshops
Among the workshops this afternoon there will be:
- “Nonviolent strategic planning for globalization from below groups”
- “Alliance-building - overcoming the marginalisation of women at Social Forums”
- “Alliance-building – accepting diversity while maintaining nonviolence”
Evening plenary
Facilitation: Howard Clark
Speakers: Felix Kolb, Germany; Jai Sen, India; Sian Jones, Britain
The evening plenary will have three speakers, two identified with the global justice movement, the other (who has been a member of the WRI Council) more with feminist antimilitarism. The speakers will discuss several aspects of nonviolence and globalisation:
- What does a nonviolent strategy have to contribute to the movement for globalisation from below?
- What does involvement in the movement for globalisation from below have to contribute to a nonviolent antimilitarist strategy?
The plenary will use an interview format to create more interaction.
Day five: Closing Plenary From Protest to Social Change
Facilitation: ?
Presentations from Theme Groups
- Analysis: A dialogue on alliances and goals
- Campaigns: short presentations and comments/questions/answers with audience on plans for action in the coming years
- Action: video presentation and short training exercise
Theme and Activity Groups
The list of groups below is not yet final.
Campaigning against military interventions
Convenors: Hans Lammerant, Forum voor Vredesactie, Belgium, and Claudia Haydt, IMI, Germany
Economic globalisation has its military arm as well. The Iraq war made visible for a broad public that wars several thousands km from where they live, actually start near their houses. The US, NATO and the EU aim to play a global military role and build the capacity to intervene worldwide. In this theme group we want to build on the experiences from the different direct non-violent actions against the mobilisation for the Iraq war, civilian war crime inspections and Bombspotting-style actions, etc. We would like to share experiences, analyse how military interventions work in practice and how the military gets transformed for a global role, and look into campaigning strategies against this.
Military presence
Convenors: Sergeiy Sandler, Israel, N.N., Germany or elsewhere??
The military does more than just wage wars. It has a profound impact on society and culture through processes of militarisation. It occupies space, both physical and cultural. In some countries (eg Israel and Turkey), this is done in a deliberately conspicuous manner. In other countries military presence is less apparent, but it is still there. This theme group will study the various forms of this military presence and will work on incorporating the concept of militarisation into global political analysis. Finally, it will examine possible strategies of nonviolent resistance to militarisation and constructive action towards demilitarisation to be taken globally and locally.
Nonviolent citizens’ intervention
Convenors: Jorgen Johansen, Norway/UK, Jill Sternberg, East Timor/USA
Nonviolent citizens' intervention is a practical example of globalisation from below, making links globally and supporting peace building and resistance to oppression in other parts of the world.
This group will review different styles of intervention, on a spectrum from solidarity action to non-partisan “accompaniment”, evaluate the goals and impact of various movement initiatives, and will discuss issues of analysis and strategy involved.
Nonviolent strategy and globalisation
Convenors: Stellan Vinthagen, Sweden, and Jai Sen, India
This group combines the central issues of the conference, promoting nonviolence in the context of resisting globalisation. The theme group will begin with analysis. What are the strategies and objectives of the globalisation-critical movement and the place of nonviolence within these? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the apparent diffuseness of its goals? What alliances have grown up within the “movement of movements” and what has been neglected? How do the activities of the international anti-war movements mesh with this? The discussion will then move on to propose means of strengthening the nonviolent character of “globalisation from below”, including considering how to focus certain strategic alliances and how to clarify strategic objectives. Issues of raising the profile of antimilitarism in “globalisation from below” will be addressed in this context.
Convenors: Aimee Allison, USA and Andreas Speck, UK/Germany
Globalisation leads to new roles for the military, or new justifications for old roles. This has some influence on resistance against conscription and recruitment. Discussions in this group will Include the themes of conscientious objection, war tax resistance, deserters, and/or war resistance without conscription. “The Right to Refuse to Kill” is one of WRI's major programmes. This group will discuss how to develop this programme further in the context of the general theme of the conference.
War Profiteers
Convenors: Javier Garate, Chile/Britain, and Joanne Sheehan, USA
This theme group has a very specific task: to develop a campaign against war profiteers. Many campaigns are focused on the negative aspects of profit; this campaign should focus on the negative aspects of making a profit on war. It should name some of the biggest transnational corporations that make a profit through war, develop a campaign with informational material, identify potential allies, seek ways to direct nonviolent actions against these companies, and draw up appropriate goals.
Nonviolence training for beginners
Convenors: N.N., Germany, and Enrique Gauto Bozzano, MOC Paraguay
Nonviolence is an important tool of struggle in the movement for globalisation from below. Through games, role plays, exercises and discussions, the participants in this group will be introduced to various aspects of the field of nonviolence. The group is intended for participants who are new to the nonviolence tradition. What is nonviolence, and what is the difference between nonviolence as a technique and nonviolence as a way of life? Which nonviolent methods are efficient for what purposes and under what circumstances? How can nonviolent actions inspire us, and how to sustain a commitment to nonviolence through time?
Home groups
The home groups will meet for half an hour at the end of each day, and be a support and discussion group with no more than 10 people. The participants will here have the opportunity to exchange what they have experienced during the day, and come up with suggestions on how to improve the conference.
Home Groups should be language and affinity groups, so members have a common origin or common interest. This is an excellent chance to socialise and network, and to build up sustainable connections for future work.
Appendix II: Conference Hosts
The Conference will be hosted by and organised in cooperation with WRI’s German sections:
- Deutsche Friedensgesellschaft – Vereinigte KriegsdienstgegnerInnen (DFG-VK)
- Internationale der Kriegsdienstgegnerinnen (IDK)
- Institut für Frieden und Gewaltfreie Konfliktbearbeitung (IFGK)
- WRI’s German associate organisation Archiv Aktiv (AA)
- and WRI’s German associate publication Graswurzelrevolution (GWR)
DFG-VK is one of the oldest and strongest independent pacifist and anti-militarist organisations in Germany. IDK, based in Berlin, is an anti-militarist group acting against war, its causes and any kind of service preparing war.
IFGK is both a scientific institute and a part of the movement for peace and nonviolence.
AA is an archive on nonviolent action in Germany after World War II.
GWR is a monthly paper for nonviolent society.
Appendix III: Timetable
| Sun, 23.07.06 | Mon, 24.07.06 | Tue, 25.07.06 | Wed, 26.07.06 | Thu, 27.07.06 | Fri, 28.07.06 | |
| Day Theme | militarism and globalisation | learning from globalisation from below | nonviolent strategic framework | WRI business meeting | ||
| 08.00-09.00 | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | WRI business meeting | |
| 09.00-10.00 | Preparatory meeting of WRI Council | Morning Plenary | Morning Plenary | Morning Plenary | Theme Groups
Home Groups | WRI business meeting |
| 10.00-10.15 | Preparatory meeting of WRI Council | Morning break | Morning break | Morning break | Morning break | WRI business meeting |
| 10.15-12.30 | Preparatory meeting of WRI Council | Theme Groups | Theme Groups | Theme Groups | Closing Plenary | WRI business meeting |
| 12.30-14.30 | ? | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | WRI business meeting |
| 14.30-16.30 | Opening Plenary | Workshops | Workshops | Workshops | Departure | WRI business meeting |
| 16.30-17.00 | Afternoon Break | Afternoon Break | Afternoon Break | Afternoon Break | WRI business meeting | |
| 17.00-18.45 | Theme Groups | Afternoon Plenary | Afternoon Plenary | Afternoon Plenary | WRI business meeting | |
| 18.45-20.00 | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | ||
| 20.00-20.30 | Home Groups | Home Groups | Home Groups | Home Groups | ||
| 20.30-22.00 | cultural programme | cultural programme | cultural programme | cultural programme |
