Triennial Reader Stories and struggles: nonviolent resistance and social change

War Resisters' International

Triennial Conference

3-10 August 2002 in Dublin, Ireland

Welcome

Dear Friends, welcome to the 23rd War Resisters International Conference, Stories and Strategies: Nonviolent Resistance and Social Change.

We here in Ireland are delighted to welcome the WRI team, their affiliated groups and members to Dublin. We are also happy to have had such interest form Irish groups and look forward to the process of sharing and planning during the conference. It will be an exciting opportunity for Irish people interested in the issue of war, peace, the arms trade, violence, and more to meet others from across the continents.

Likewise for others who may not have visited Ireland previously to learn about our position within Northern Ireland, the Peace Agreement and the ongoing process of conflict and resolution.

This is a time for learning from all of us involved in peace movements, social change, and more recently the huge anti war campaigns starting up in light of recent events. So once again welcome to everyone, we look forward to meeting you in Dublin. We have been exchanging mail, speaking on the telephone and someday soon, we will all meet. We look forward to it and we hope you do too.

Pat Barrett & Sivanesan Ramaoorthy

WRI Triennial Office

Dublin

Introduction

I should like to introduce you all to our "Reader" so that we can start getting caught up in this War Resisters' International conference: Stories and Strategies - Non-violent Resistance and Social Change, whose purpose is to assemble peace, social justice and human rights activists from all over the world to discuss how to create a less violent, militaristic world. War and terrorism have increased in recent months, so such an event is now more important than ever.

This conference is named after the one held in India in February 2002 on Non-violence and Social Empowerment. When considering strategy in the light if individual case studies the idea came up of sharing different stories, and this suggested the title for the impending Triennial.

The "Reader" aims to supply basic information about the conference and Dublin. It hopes both to set the tone for the topics to be discussed, argued about, strategised, analysed and followed up, and to 'invent' new ways to influence this mad world where wars seem to be a daily occurrence. According to our promotion leaflet: "In its long history, WRI's Triennial conferences have often provided the international platform from which to launch new peace campaigns and to discuss new ideas about non-violence". The "stories and strategies" that will be told and propounded at the WRI Triennial in Dublin in 2002 will surely prompt fresh activities and new ways of thinking. This may well not only influence and inspire those who attend the conference, but also lead to many international non-violent resistance and social change project. Is this possible? Why not?

The Peace Pledge Union, one of our British affiliates, in its 1973 Festival for Peace adopted the workers' movement slogan: "be reasonable, demand the impossible now" - which currently quite often features in demonstrations and other events --. So, here we are. We are not going to give orders but we will try to make proposals, suggest strategies and indicate and explore possibilities.

Recalling our last Triennial Conference in Porec, Croatia, I can see that there has been both progress and retrogression in the Balkan' region. Impunity is not total, but although there is certainly no justice still Milosevic is on trial in the International Court in The Hague.

We must be positive even when considering deficiencies, realising that we are here in order to enhance the significance and moral influence of our struggle. This is of vital importance - wherever we look nothing seems to be working. We sink into despair whenever a new cause of war looms, which is not actually new but part and parcel of unfinished business from the past - a cycle of institutional violence.

The Conference is organised into five Plenary Sessions. The first one will be on Story Telling, in which we shall share true stories from various parts of the world.

There will be eight Theme Groups, each having four sessions so that subjects can be studied in depth and participants are able to tell as many relevant stories as possible.

Workshops: The number of these are not fixed. Everyone is welcome to prepare one and run it in Dublin. Their purpose is to enable people to strengthen networks on shared interests and concerns so that these can continue after the conference is over. Many workshops will be planned in advance, but it will also be possible for them to be set up spontaneously during the Triennial.

A Home Stay Programme, with hosts from Irish groups from both the Republic and Northern Ireland, will enable meeting up with local activists, and swapping experiences. This programme will apply both, before and after the conference.

A Work Camp too is also being organised. It will enable some young people to join an international team helping over the practicalities of the conference.

There will be other activities too: photographic exhibitions, music and a party on the last evening. And other good ideas may come up - you are welcome to make suggestions.

So, get in the mood, peruse these pages and see you soon in Dublin.

Roberta Bacic

Program and Development Officer WRI

London, May 2002

Practical information

Visas

According to our knowledge Irish Visas are required from members of the following countries, Afghanistan, Albania, Bulgaria, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Moldova, Nigeria, Romania, Somalia and Srilankan. However if your country is not listed here we advice you to contact the Irish Embassy in your country to double-check the information as regulations can change.

Visas are issued from Irish or U.K. embassies or consulates. If there is no Irish embassy or consulate in your country contact the Triennial office in Dublin to see if they can help you obtain your visa. To obtain your visa you will need a valid passport for the duration of the time.

For citizens of the EU and most other Western countries no visa is required to visit either the republic or Northern Ireland. Visas are required from citizens of India, Pakistan, and Hong Kong who do not have an U.K. passport. EU nationals are allowed to stay indefinitely while other visitors can usually remain for three to six months. If you want to stay longer or require further information you can contact the Department of Justice (% 00 353 1 6789711), 72, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2

Money

Irish currency recently changed from pounds to Euro; the Euro is now the currency for most countries within the EU. One Euro equals 0.64 Pound sterling. Bills come in 100, 50, 20, 10, & 5. Credit cards are accepted in most places. You can cash Eurocheques and travellers cheques at any Bank or Bureau de Change. It is however advisable that you carry some local currency. You can use some cards such as master card, Cirrus Card, and eurocard at automatic teller machines. There is an ATM on campus and banks are spread around the city, some within walking distance. They are however closed on Saturdays and Sundays, so if you are arriving during the weekend or in the evening it is advisable to carry some cash.

Working Hours

The general working day begins and 9.30am and finishes at 6pm. A lot of shops and businesses close between 5-6pm. Banks open between 10am Ð 3pm Monday Ð Friday. Some banks remain open until 5pm one day a week either Friday or Thursday. Post Offices and other commercial outlets remain open on Saturdays but all close on Sundays with only restaurants and some small shops remaining open.

Language

Ireland is officially a bilingual country, Irish and English. English is however the most spoken.

Health

Ireland does not pose any serious threats to health. Water is safe to drink straight from the tap although it may not taste the best! EU citizens are eligible for medical care provided they have their E1 11 form, which you can get at your local hospital or health clinic before leaving your country. All other citizens will need health insurance or pay for medical care should they need it. The Telephone no for the nearest hospital is 01 8032000.

Contact in Ireland

The Triennial Office Address is:

84, Templeville Drive,

Templeogue,

Dublin 6W

Tel: 00 353 1 4063060

Email: dublin@wri.irg.org

Contact people in Dublin:

Siva 0866065253

Pat 0868585245

Electricity

Electricity is 220 voltage, 50 cycles AC, and plugs are usually flat three pin. Visitors from difference countries may need adapters.

Telephones

There are public telephones and call centres spread around the city. There are also public telephones on campus. Some require a card to use others just take coins. A local call costs 4 cents per minute peak time and 1 cent per minute off peak. National calls cost 9 cents per minute peak time and 6 cents per minute off peak. To make a call outside of Ireland international calling cards such as, century, swift call there are many so check which one gives you the better deal for the country you wish to call. All types of telephone cards are available at newsagents.

Internet Café

There are no internet facilities on campus. If you require internet access you will have to travel to the city centre, see map enclosed. There are many internet cafés either on O'Connell St or in Temple Bar.

Arriving In Ireland

Most international flights will arrive to Dublin Airport. The conference is on in Dublin and there are a range of buses and taxis you can take from the Airport to DCU campus. A taxi from the Airport to DCU will cost you 15 euro approx. to the city centre it will cost 30 euro approx. It is advisable to check the price with the taxi driver first. You can take the number 16a bue from outside the terminal, this will leave you at O' Connell St. (Ask bus driver to stop at O'Connell St for you.) This journey will cost you 1.45 euro, you will need to have exact fare as change will not be given.

When you get down cross the road and from here you can take the no's 11 or 13, you will need to check you waiting at the correct stand. This journey will cost you 1.05 euro and again ask the driver to stop at DCU for you.

If you are arriving into Ireland at another destination, there are trains and buses to choose from. Trains to Dublin from any station leave quite regularly and buses leave every hour. The telephone no of the train station in Dublin is 01 8366222 and bus station is 018720000.

DCU address and directions

There are number of buses from different locations which you can take form DCU to the city centre. Please look at the map enclosed.

Climate

It rains a lot in Ireland so make sure you bring your raincoat. Temperatures could vary between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius 60 Ð 75 degrees F. The bonus in Ireland is the amount of sunlight, during the month of August there is on average 18 hours of sunlight. The day can start as early as 4.30am with sundown at between 10-11pm.

Places to Eat City Centre

The best vegetarian restaurant is Govindas, which can be found on Aungler St, serving cheep, tasty and healthy food. It is difficult to recommend or to find a reasonable priced restaurant. Most places do early bird where you get a small discount this is generally between 4 and 7pm. Many snack bars and cafes serve good soups and sandwiches. Café Irie in Temple Bar just off temple bar square. The winding Stair on Ormond Quay near the Ha'penny bridge.

You'll find many restaurants in Temple Bar ranging from Mexican, Italian, traditional Irish, Indian, Cajun, and many more.

Places to Visit

Dublin has many tourist attractions. There are a number of Museums. The National Museum on Kildare St., national gallery on Merrion Sq. The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Kilmainham. Parks include Phoenix Park at the end of North Circular Road, St StephenÕs Green. Other places of interest include Trinity Collage where you will find the Book of Kells. If you want more information on what tourist attractions there are, you can call into any of the local tourist offices. Dublin Tourism can be contacted on 1850230230 or you can visit their centre at St Andrews Church in Suffolk St. near Trinity College. It is open from 8.30am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and on Sunday 10.30am to 2pm.

WRI's Dublin conference

War Resisters' International conference Dublin, Ireland, August 3-9, 2002, entitled Stories and Strategies- Non-violent Resistance and Social Change. It will bring together peace and social justice activists, as well as practitioners and academics, from around the world to discuss how we can make the world less violent and less militarised. As wars and acts of terrorism have increased in recent months, this event has taken on a new importance.

Since September 11, violence within and between peoples, nations and societies has become a part of everyone's awareness, while the power of the military and the police in even the most liberal societies has been strengthened in direct bold ways. Fear and insecurity are no longer an exceptional emotion for many people; they are now a part of daily life.

We are at a time when the task of building a peaceful and just society is immensely difficult. Presenting and promoting a nonviolent approach to social problems has become a formidable task with great personal risks. Yet this is a time when we must find ways to break into and interfere with a cycle of violence that is spinning faster than ever. The War Resisters' International conference has the potential to make a major contribution to this effort.

We need to develop new nonviolent strategies for ending the threat of terror, as well as for revealing and deconstructing institutional violence. We need to find ways to listen and enter into dialogue with the large numbers of people in our societies who find a nonviolent, pacifist approach too difficult. We need to strengthen our own international network and make it a model of globalisation from below. The WRI conference will provide a forum for steps to be taken toward all of these goals.

The title and theme of "Stories and Strategies - Nonviolent Resistance and Social Change" holds new meaning in these changed political times. Storytelling and stories are powerful threads, which help people learn from each other, connect to each other, heal from painful experiences, and make our truths known. They attest to the value of each person as a part of the social fabric.

War Resisters' International provides a strong organizational base for the conference. WRI, which was founded in 1921, is a network of pacifists and nonviolent activists on every continent, who work to end war and the causes of war. WRI members are active in over 90 Sections and Associates, situated in more than 45 countries. With its long history and broad network, WRI serves as a central gathering point for a broad community of concerned and active citizens.

It is fitting for a conference with the title and theme, "Stories and Strategies - Non-violent Resistance and Social Change" to take place in Ireland, where storytelling is a rich part of the culture. Sharing stories, from personal narratives to lengthier case studies, is a creative, empowering way to strengthen the sense of community between people and among peace activists from many countries.

Everyone attending the conference will be encouraged to bring their own stories to share, about their campaigns and individual efforts at resisting violence and building peace.

Under the "Stories" theme, the Conference will examine a wide variety of social issues, from the international arms trade to violence at the community level. Some of this will be done through Plenary sessions, Theme Groups, workshops and discussion groups.

Plenaries

A key segment of the conference will be plenary sessions held every evening.

Here, speakers and panellists will share their stories and case studies and engage in public dialogues that highlight the conference theme.

One panel will focus on the use of stories: how they have been used to heal communities in conflict, how they can be used to develop new strategies of nonviolent resistance.

Two of these sessions will bring out stories from local community activists, one evening looking directly at the role of grassroots efforts in creating social change, and another looking at the links between global violence and violence in daily life.

One session will introduce the international audience to the work of NGOs in Ireland and Northern Ireland and issues they address, such as ethnic conflict and economic globalisation.

Strategy will be the focus of a plenary on how to link anti-militarist work with other efforts to strengthen civil society. A final evening will review what the conference deliberations mean for WRI's future work.

The goal of the Plenary Sessions is to highlight political questions and strategic ideas that have broad relevance to nonviolent activists. Each Plenary Session will include speakers from various countries who have information and experiences related to the sessions' topic.

Many of the sessions will be panel discussions that incorporate presentations and questions from the audience. Others will be structured as creative debates between the speakers.

What role do stories play in our strategies?

The history of war and peace is not only found in studies by academics, or in military war reports. It is also conveyed through the stories of ordinary people, those who experience changing political situations and must survive and resist violence as part of their daily lives. Invited speaker Florencia Mallon is a well-known historian at the University of Wisconsin (U.S.), who has specialised in the use of storytelling as a way to approach history. She will give an introduction to storytelling.

Stories will be told by:

Elhalm Bayour, a Palestinian born and raised in a refugee camp in Lebanon, who is writing her masters' thesis on Palestinian women political prisoners.

Koussetogue Koude is a peace and human rights activist from Chad living in France. He has a PhD in Human Rights Studies, with special focus on the African situation.

Michael Randle, pioneer of nonviolent direct action in Britain (Committee of 100, CND, WRI), peace researcher and academic.

Link to Florencia Mallon's article "Telling Stories Across Generations: History, Memory, and Identity"

The Irish peace process: stories and stages

The conflict in Northern Ireland was once considered a great mystery to many. But then people began to realise that conflicts, which are described in ethnic terms, are everywhere, and that what has been taking place in Ireland is just one example of such conflict. And it's not over yet. Through their individual stories, presenters will describe for the audience of international nonviolent activists, how the conflict has developed, from the early years of the 'Troubles' through to today, and how stories of cross-community dialogue and peace building can play an important role in the construction of peace in Northern Ireland.

Rob Fairmichael is a nonviolence trainer and coordinator of the Irish Network for Nonviolent Action Training and Education, one of the sponsors of the conference.

Linking violence in daily life with global violence

Speakers in this plenary will try to answer the challenging questions about whether the global violence of war and militarism has an effect on the violence people experience in their personal daily lives. What is the effect on children of growing up in a violent society? How does militarism have particular effect on women's experiences and daily lives? How is family life affected by violent community conflict? Panellists will share stories where nonviolent strategies have been used to break this cycle of violence.

Joanne Sheehan is the chair of War Resisters' International and lives and works in the United States.

Speakers will include activists from RAWA, women from Northern Ireland or representatives from Southall Black Sisters.

Militarism, antimilitarism and civil society

The reaction to the terrorist attacks on the symbols of the world economic power, the World Trade Center, and of the military power USA, the Pentagon, divided the world. In particular by the "dominant powers", i.e. the "center", the world is being divided into good and evil, into friend and enemy. There is no in-between any more. This division contradicts the qualifying, enlightened thinking mediating between these extreme positions. However, this thinking not only dominates foreign policy, but increasingly becomes effective in the domestic policies of the nation-states as well. The "war against terror" that so far has led to the bombing of Afghanistan and to the killing of thousands of civilians, is supposed to be continued for a long time. This threat is intimidating, and it should lead to dissent as well.

Simultaneously, each society tries to identify "internal enemies". Here, too, the state sounds the charge against "deviants". Those people who are marginalized and pushed to the edges of the society are the first to be suspected, and the first to become the victims of this old security policy posing as new. Not surprisingly, these people are, above all, foreigners, refugees, and direct or indirect victims of the worldwide competing economic interests. Within the nation-states, however, critics of the contemporary societies are suspected of siding with "the evil", "the enemy". All states tend to disparage their critics as terrorists, against whom they may then take action - by (almost) any means necessary.

Due to this policy, however, all citizens become suspects in principle. This suspicion is supposed to justify the extension of all mechanisms of control, the constantly increasing restriction of civil rights and liberties in favour of a supposed security, and the building of an authoritarian police state. Basic human rights and democratic requirements are given up thereby. Therefore, the citizens' security is lost, and at most a (merely supposed) security for the state is won - i.e., state security.

These "good" states - i.e., how they perceive themselves in self-assured arrogance - claim to fight for freedom, democracy, and human rights. However, they are the ones who time and time again contravene these basic rights worldwide. Disregarding international law, they wage war on other states, thereby violating the human rights of the bombed, frigthened and distressed people. Within their own countries, the human rights of those who are arbitrarily supected of terrorism cease to be in force. Prisoners' rights are disregarded. These are but a few examples for this "new" politics.

However, the character of the terrorist attacks fundamentally contradicts everything that might be regarded as a politics of liberation. Though these deeds could be popular among marginalized people who are the victims of the increasing world disorder. At least, this has to be understood.

If one wants to fight for the establishment of a worldwide politics that at least basically meets the principles of human rights, democracy, and social and humanitarian development, the states are not the addressees. They will not initiate a development going in the right direction. A new politics beyond the state, and massive pressure by social movements is needed. The cause of the global conflicts lies in the way of living of those people living in the "central states", and whose way of living is now to be defended by the military. This has to be opposed by an international movement building resistance and working for changes of the people's everyday life and living conditions.

After 11 September not only the military machine was mobilised, also civil liberties were seriously restricted even more. But too often the activist movements to strengthen civil society and to resist militarism are separate developments running on parallel paths with little coordination. WRI can help to bridge this gap by developing and clarifying an analysis that identifies the immense threat that militarism carries to any civil society.

This plenary session will examine how militarism limits civil liberties and the building of a strong civic sector. Speakers will outline ways that peace and antimilitarist efforts can contribute to the strengthening of civil society.

Elke Steven is on the staff of the Germany based Komitee fŸr Grundrechte und Demokratie, an organisation working on civil liberties and antimilitarism from a pacifist perspective.

Activists from various antimilitarist groups will share their stories and experience that link these two issues in campaigning work.

Grassroots efforts and nonviolent struggle

It is common for stories and case studies from other communities to be woven into grassroots campaigns, whether as inspirational models, humorous anecdotes or rumours about failure. A panel of grassroots activists will take a closer look at how the local stories transfer across cultural divides.

They will begin by sharing their own campaign stories, and then describe how the reports from other grassroots efforts influenced their strategies.

Eduvina Vilches is a 70 years old Chilean woman from the grassroots movement living in the poor districts of the outskirts of Santiago. She has been raising children abandoned by their parents. During the dictatorship she helped musicians and artists to keep arts alive by assisting them.

Luis Nieves Falcon, one of Puerto Rico's leading activist-intellectuals, the founder and coordinator of its Committee for Human Rights.

Coskun †sterzi is a peace and human rights activist in Turkey. He works with torture survivors, and was imprisoned for more than 10 years.

Joanne Sheehan is the chair of War Resisters' International and an organizer with War Resisters League in the United States.

Conference participants will spend the mornings meeting in Theme Groups, which they return to each day. Having such extensive time together gives participants the opportunity to delve deeply into a topic.

Theme groups

Conference participants will spend the mornings meeting in Theme Groups, which they return to each day. Having such extensive time together gives participants the opportunity to delve deeply into a topic. In the Theme Group deliberations, a wide variety of methods are used to draw out participants' experiences: role-plays, presentations by resource people, and group exercises.

Theme Group sessions will include analysis of a problem, the pooling of information and experiences, development of new strategies and if there is interest, the design of coordinated efforts for the future, including the role WRI could play. Each theme group will have resource people knowledgeable about the topic, as well as a facilitator who monitors the group process. Where possible, preparations for each Theme Group preparations are being handled by both international and Irish conveners. which are discussion groups that meet together for a few hours every day. These are a central part of the conference agenda.

Theme group 1: Economics, militarism and globalisation

The aftermath of the terror attacks on 11 September against the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, the symbols of the world's two most powerful centres, illustrates the connection between the economical and military globalisation. Weapons production and trade operating across all borders involve many countries in a complex system. Military and economical alliances (e.g. NATO and WTO) defend the rich countries' economical interests within and outside their borders and create social injustice and environmental imbalance.

Stories will be on: political and economic development in Ireland and Northern Ireland seen in relation to international economic and military institutions; how the oil in Angola plays a role on the international market and in the international politics; how the "integration" into Europe, NATO, WTO takes its toll in the republics of former Yugoslavia, will serve as the starting point for exploring broader patterns of global pressures to build military-dependent economies. Stories presented from these countries will show how military alliances, the increased importance of the arms trade and the role of corporations play for the economies and the consequences for people and their environment.

Resource persons will be Andy Storey ffrom Ireland is a lecturer in development studies, former aid worker in Rwanda and chairperson of NGO Action from Ireland (Afri) responsible for campaigns on issues of militarisation and opposing Ireland's growing involvement in international military alliances and the global arms trade.

He will cover the following themes:

1. The incorporation of the Republic of Ireland into military alliances through NATO-linked bodies and the EU.
2. The growing importance of the arms trade in the economy of Ireland (North and South).
3. National-level, political campaigns of resistance to the developments outlined in 1) above, with a case-study of Afri's opposition to the Nice Treaty in 2001.
4. Local-level opposition to the developments outlined in 2) above, with a case-study of the Foyle Ethical Investment Campaign's struggle against the location of an armaments facility in its area during 1999 and 2000.
5. Educational action for anti-militarism, with a case-study of a second-level school project that combined the development of educational materials and the organization of workshops for teachers and students.

Filomeno Lopes from Angola have for a long time work with the problems of the oil business and the corruption that is linked between oil exploitation, arms trade and illegal diamonds export as he worked for many years as an economical expert for SOGANOL, the Angolan state oil company. Since the end of the 1990 he got involved in the Angolan peace movement as coordinator of GARP, Angolan Group of Reflection for Peace, and later also as coordinator of Rede de Paz (Angolan Peace Network), which was created in July 2001 and brings together COIEPA (the different churches) with 15 other groups from the civil society for a lasting and just peace.

After the death of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi earlier this year, has given the hope for peace. But Angola is facing enormous challenges after decades of war, even being rich of resources. In the theme group the focus will be the countries resources linked to the international corporations and WTO. What demands for building the Angolan society will come from these institutions? And what roles will the peace movement be able to play?

Drazen Simlesa, professor of sociology currently working at the Institute of social sciences "Ivo Pilar" in Zagreb and a local activist in various NGOs (e.g. ATTAC, Autonomous Culture Factory).

Author of the book "Power of utopia", conveying seminars at Center for peace studies in Zagreb.

The Balkans and The Eastern Europe are working actively to become a part of the Western world. Integration into the Western institutions as EU, NATO and WTO are not only regarded as positive, e.g. US putting pressure on Croatia through WTO to allow production and import of genetically modified food, military reforms, professional armies etc.

In addition there will be resource people who will report from the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil in January this year. The Forum accepted a statement of the links between the global economics and militarism by calling the social movements for resistance to neoliberalism, war and militarism, and for peace and social justice. Resource people who took part in the Forum will report and bring forward what this call for action mean, and hopefully WRI can give input to the next year's Forum on nonviolent strategies to this resistance.

Link to Drazen Simlisa's article "Croatia: a small country for a great plunder"

Theme group 2: Violence in society and nonviolent social empowerment

How does violence manifest itself in our whole society? This theme group will look at this large issue as it affects life at the level of daily experience. What are the patterns of socialisation and of domination that encourage and nurture violence, both within society and between societies? How do the manifestations of violence at the local and global level feed one another? How are youth affected by growing up in violent societies? The group will look for examples where the cycle of violence has been broken and will try to design strategies where nonviolence can be used as a means for social transformation.

Resource persons will be

Hilal Demir is an activist with antimilitarist feministler and šteki-ben in Izmir/Turkey.

Martin Rodriguez is a Colombian activist with the Red Juvenil in Medellin, especially working on youth organising against violence.

Hasina Khan is a member of Aawaz-e-Niswan, a Muslim women's organisation from Mumbai/India.

Theme group 3: Ethnic conflict and intra-state violence

Many violent conflicts today appear, at first, to be based on divisions and hatreds between ethnic, religious or cultural communities. On closer look, however, one finds that people's insecurities and fears are often manipulated and exaggerated by stories told by political leaders and the media. This Theme Group will investigate how nonviolent activists can help people resist the fears and hatreds that drive them toward war with their neighbours. It will cover both strategies for long-term bridge-building as well as short-term nonviolent intervention.

For the participants of the Theme Group on "Ethnic Conflict and Intra-State Violence"

We anticipate that many of you will have your own experiences with ethnic, religious, or cultural conflicts and will bring this into the Theme Group. If you plan to participate in the group on "Ethnic Conflict and Intra-State Violence" we invite you to please bring your stories, posters and leaflets, pictures, slides, videos, newspaper clippings and other material about the violent conflicts you are trying to end. Any material that will help us to look beneath the surface of the conflict (see the following article) will be especially useful for our discussions and analysis.

Link to Paula Green's article "Beneath the Surface of Religious and Cultural Conflicts"

Theme Group 4: Conscientious Objectors, Veterans, and Anti-Militarism

Facilitation: Emanuel Matondo, Angola/Germany and Andreas Speck, Germany/UK

The "war on terrorism" leads to increased militarisation in most parts of the world. While individual refusal to participate in the military has been a powerful way to challenge militarism, it is an open question what role it can play today.

This Theme Group will look at conscientious objection and total resistance to conscription and their role in building an anti-militarist movement. The first day will start with an introduction by Ekkehart Krippendorff on "State and militarism after 11 September" (see below). This will set a framework for an analysis of the present situation, and present trends of militarisation (Peace News 2447: Antimilitarism: where next? is recommended reading for this theme group). Based on that analysis, participants will discuss the challenges they face in their countries, such as the need for new strategies as more countries professionalise their armies. From an antimilitarist perspective, the theme group will look at entry points for antimilitarist strategies - what is the role of conscientious objection, or maybe limited refusal (such as "Yesh Gvul" and the refuseniks in Israel)? How can veterans play a role in our antimilitarist struggle?

Emanuel Matondo is an Angolan peace activist living in Germany.

Andreas Speck is a total objector and nonviolence trainer and on the staff of War Resisters' International.

Resource persons: Ekkehart Krippendorff, plus antimilitarist activists and veterans from different countries.

Link to Ekkehart Krippendorf's article "The state and militarism after 11 September"

Theme group 5: Asylum - strategies to prevent the closing of borders

This Theme Group will look at issues of migration, asylum, and deportation, and how these are directly related to war and militarism - even more obvious after 11 September. In sharing strategies, the Group will discuss campaigns to challenge the "Fortress Europe" policy, and the closed-border practices at the US-Mexican border.

They will learn about specific actions such as the International Human Rights Team at the German-Polish Border.

Doro Bruch has a diploma in social work, and is involved in asylum and migration policy in different groups in Germany.

Tikiri is an antimilitarist activist with MOC and Le Rire in France.

Theme group 6: An exploration and introduction to nonviolence

This Theme Group, which will be convened by the Scottish Centre for Nonviolence, is for people who are relatively new to the field and the concepts of nonviolence or while experienced, are interested in revisiting the basic principles. This will be an opportunity for participants to explore nonviolence and its repercussions in detail.

Helen Stevens is on the staff of the Scottish Centre for Nonviolence. The theme group will be co-facilitated by a nonviolent activist from the Southern hemisphere.

Theme group 7: Dealing with the past

This Theme Group is about what it means for people to learn to live in the present. Many people's lives are marked by war, violence, and other repressive events, which they did not choose, want, or provoke. How can people learn to handle such experiences and use them for finding meaning and significance in their present lives? With the help of knowledgeable resource people, the Theme Group will discuss the psychological effects of war and other trauma. They will explore various approaches for dealing with the past, including the use of storytelling and other ways of making their experiences known. The Group will give a special look at how justice, reconciliation, and forgiveness fit together.

Roberta Bacic was born in Chile and was involved in the movement of the relatives of the disappeared. She later joined the Chilean aftermath of the Truth Commission, Corporaci-n Nacional de Reparaci-n y Reconciliaci-n. Presently she lives in Britain and is on the staff of War Resisters' International.

Brandon Hamber was born in South Africa and presently lives in Northern Ireland. He worked on violence and trauma at the South African Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation.

Elizabeth Stanley is a lecturer at the Centre for Studies in Crime and Social Justice, UK, and works on Truth Commissions, storytelling and social justice.

Siva Ramamoorthy is from Sri Lanka and lives in Ireland.

Theme group 8: International 'peace operations' - what they care and what they could be

Howard Clark - WRI Council member, resource person on Kosovo/a, author of Civil Resistance in Kosovo (Pluto Press), and Kosovo Work in Progress: Closing the Cycle of Violence (University of Coventry Centre for the Study of Forgiveness and Reconciliation)

Resource people:

Jill Sternberg - formerly IFoR and PBI-USA, resource person on East Timor, NGO Forum/Peace and Democracy Foundation, East Timor

Christine Schweitzer - WRI Council member, resource person on the expansion of UN operations and of developments in international nonviolent intervention, research coordinator of the International Nonviolent Peace Force and editor/co-author of their Nonviolent Peaceforce Feasibility Study and (with Howard Clark) of the Final Evaluation of the Balkan Peace Team.

The impact of the conference in Ireland

The Conference will have an impact within the Irish peace and human rights movement. In preparation of the conference, a working group of different Irish groups (Glencree, Latin America Solidarity Committee (LASC), Action from Ireland (Afri), Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA), Musicians Opposing War, and others) was set up. One of the outcomes of the conference will be the strengthening of links between these Irish groups, and connecting them to nonviolent grassroots activists from other parts of the world, working on similar issues.

On the international level, the use of story telling provides the opportunity of building bridges between activists and academics - broadening the perspectives of practitioners in both fields, and widening the impact of peace and human rights activism on the grassroots level into new and broader social areas.

An event like the Triennial Conference of the War Resisters International coming to Ireland is something that is only likely to happen once in a lifetime, certainly no more than once in a generation. For a small country it represents an amazing opportunity to interact with peace and nonviolent activists around the world, to learn from them, and for them to learn about and from here.

There will be a certain amount of the input to the Triennial on the situation in Ireland - especially the conflict in Northern Ireland and the search for - and partial arrival at - solutions there. There will be more general information on Ireland, including the Republic's military neutrality and what that means or does not mean now, and generally on Irish culture and politics. This is primarily for external consumption in the sense that it is aimed to help people learn about here.

Of course in this process local people from the island of Ireland will be able t reflect and think about thesame matters, and sometimes its is in explaining to others that people find out what they really feel and think.

But the presence of such a large number of peace and nonviolent activists from around the world is an opportunity for learning about different approaches on a really global scale. What strategies and tactics have people used in particular issues and struggles? And what issues have people found that galvanized movements into effective action? How in detail have issues been developed? Both the detailed work in the theme groups, and plenaries and other workshops, will enable this learning to go on.

By holding the event in Ireland, and engaging in the necessary work, the groups and individuals involved are also making a contribution to global networking and peacebuilding. This may not, as such, have a big impact on Ireland but it may be important in sustaining and building peaceful responses at a worldwide level.

But there are two other ways in which it is hoped the WRI Triennial will have ongoing effects in Ireland. Firstly, that the experience of the different sponsoring groups, and others, working together will enable ongoing cooperation and closer relationships in the future. There are half a dozen groups sponsoring the WRI Triennial and involvement in working together should be a positive template for other future work. One of the groups involved, INNATE, is itself a networking organisation.

The intention behind the home stay programme, where international visitors can stay several days with local activists in many different parts of Ireland, is a two-way learning process. Again it is hoped to be an effective networking tool but also enabling 'the Triennial' to have an effect on parts of Ireland far removed from Dublin where the conference itself will take place. The idea is not just that insiders and outsiders can learn from each other, but that the outsiders - many with great experience of work for peace and political or social developments in their countries - can be used by their local hosts for meetings or informal events which will raise the profile of the hosts in their locality. This is part of the planning process for the Triennial to avoid holding an international conference which happens to be in Ireland but 'could be anywhere'.

It is always difficult to project what 'the outcome' of such an event will be. But to summarise the points made above, the aims for Ireland include; to have local peace and social activists better informed and prepared for their work through international and local interaction; to facilitate groups working together; to network on a countrywide scale. These aims are all important for building up a movement which can respond constructively in the future and which can maximise the effectiveness

Home stay programme

The purpose of this programme is to take the Triennial to different parts of the country (north, south, east and west) and enable international visitors to see Ireland and what Irish activists are doing. It is intended very much as a two-way process; visitors can be used to increase awareness of particular issues through local meetings, formal or informal, and to increase the profile of local groups associated with the hosts.

The WRI Triennial Home Stay Programme will operate both before and after the Triennial conference itself. The dates beforehand are 31st July - 3rd August (when the Triennial starts); the dates afterwards are 10th - 13th August.

INNATE (Irish WRI associate) will handle arrangements for both hosts and visitors. Offers to host visitors, and requests to take part as Home Stay Programme visitors, should go to INNATE, 16 Ravensdene Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Phone +44 - (0)28 - 90 64 71 06, e-mail innate@ntlworld.com If possible please communicate by e-mail.

While we will do our best to take information given and requests into account in matching hosts and visitors, please note that we cannot give guarantees about compatibility, language skills etc. The working languages for booking the Home Stay Programme are English, French and Spanish (if you are able to use English in booking that will make it easier at the Irish end of the programme).

How will it work?

Hosts will be recruited around Ireland and asked a certain amount of information to help match them with visitors. Those booking for the Triennial who request information on the Home Stay Programme will be sent details and told what information they need to provide to book (to make life easier there is no booking form, rather a list of information which needs to be provided). INNATE will attempt to match visitors and hosts; hosts will be sent the visitor's booking information and asked to get in touch with the visitor themselves - and visitors will be advised this is happening. It is then up to hosts and visitors to sort out exact arrangements about arrivals, departures, and possible use of visitors for meetings and gatherings locally.

Visitors

Please note that you cannot stay with hosts outside the time periods given above except by invitation from the hosts. You can request the Home Stay Programme to stay both before and after with different hosts but preference will be given to ensure everyone is fixed up one time before offering a second stay.

If you do not speak English it is advisable to travel with someone who is fluent in a shared language and English, if possible. If you do not speak English we will attempt to place you with hosts who speak a language you would both speak but this may not always be possible.

Travelling from Dublin to stay with hosts is your responsibility both in making arrangements and in paying for travel. Most places in Ireland can be reached from Dublin in a couple of hours and almost everywhere within 4 - 5 hours; the cost by bus is unlikely to be over 30 return (train is more expensive).

As part of the Home Stay Programme, it is requested that you are available to meet people locally, either formally or informally. The groups which hosts are involved in may wish to organise a meeting or social event so the information about your willingness to speak on your particular involvements and concerns is important. If you do not feel comfortable offering to speak at a formal meeting, you could offer to talk with a small group (workshop style) or chat to people informally.

A number of hosts will be located in Northern Ireland which is politically part of the United Kingdom and not in the same state as Dublin. If you require a visa for the Republic of Ireland please note that you will probably need a separate visa for Northern Ireland. If this is a problem please let us know so that you are placed only in the Republic of Ireland.

Please note that the closing date for the Home Stay Programme is 1st July. If you have not booked before 1st July please check whether it is still possible before booking as the aim is to allow hosts time to plan local meetings.

Visitor Information Required

Please provide the following information to INNATE. You do not need to restate the question but you must give the question number (1, 2, 3 etc) for your reply.

1. Full name

2. Name usually known as.

3. Age.

4. Gender

5. Contact points including postal address, phone, fax, e-mail (as available),

6. Your national and/or cultural identity as you wish to state it.

7. If travelling with anyone else.

8. If willing to share a room or wishing to share a room with someone.

9. Languages spoken; please state for each language if you speak it a) fluently b) moderately c) basically.

10 Interests and involvements you have, especially in nonviolence and political action (not more than 50 words, please).

11. Why do you want to take part in the Home Stay Programme (maximum 50 words, please).

12. Any dietary requirements (lacto-vegetarian, vegan etc).

13. Do you want to stay as a visitor a) before the Triennial (31st July - 3rd August) or b) afterwards (10th - 13th August) or c) both - but if requesting 'both' please state a preference if we cannot fix you up for both before and afterwards.

14. Would you be willing to participate in a meeting on your interests listed above a) as a speaker in a formal meeting b) as a speaker/resource person in a small group c) to speak informally to people at a more social gathering.

Please note that c) is the minimum requested from Home Stay Programme visitors.

15. Any other issues or concerns you wish to mention, including any medical requirements or disabilities.

Please return this information to INNATE at the contacts points listed above (also given at the end)

Hosts

We hope that having visitors to stay will be an opportunity for you to network internationally, and to use their presence to increase your profile locally, e.g. through organising local meetings, workshops or informal gatherings. You can also attempt to interest the local media in covering what you are doing through the presence of these visitors. Feel free to get together with anyone else locally hosting visitors from the WRI Triennial to organise a joint event. If you are looking for someone who might speak on a particular topic or geographical area, please say so.

Hosts do not need to be off work when having Home Stay Programme visitors, though of course if you are you may wish to offer to show visitors things of interest locally. You are asked to provide breakfast and an evening meal to visitors, except by arrangement. You can also provide information to visitors about your locality, tell them interesting places to go, and talk about mutual interests.Once you are provided with information on visitors it is up to you to get in touch as soon as possible, make arrangements about any meetings or other events, and provide information about travel to your home etc.

As we cannot tell how many requests we will get to be WRI Triennial Home Stay Programme visitors, we cannot guarantee that numbers will match and that all host offers will be taken up. We have deliberately set an early closure date for the Programme and will inform you at the earliest opportunity of your potential guests or, after 1st July, if your services may not be required. But in any case we are very grateful to all those prepared to host visitors.

Host Information Required

We need to get the following information from you - you don't need to rewrite questions so long as you give the number of the question:

1.Your name(s) and contact details including postal address, phone, fax, e-mail (as appropriate).

2. Dates you can offer accommodation; a) 31st July - 3rd August and/or b) 10th - 13th August. If you need to qualify this offer in any way regarding dates, please state.

3. The number of people (1,2, 3 or whatever) you can accommodate.

4. Whether accommodation is in single rooms or sharing. If sharing, are there twin beds or a double bed?

5.Do you have particular interests in the fields of nonviolence and political action relevant to the placing of Home Stay Programme visitors with you?

6. Are you hoping to use visitors for a meeting or other event? Please be specific if you wish but we cannot guarantee to meet requests.

7. What languages do you speak

a) fluently b) moderately c) basically ?

8. Any other information or comments which you think will be helpful.

Please return this information to INNATE at the contact points listed above or below.

WRI Triennial Home Stay Programme

C/o INNATE, 16 Ravensdene Park,

Belfast BT6 0DA, Northern Ireland.

Phone/ Fax +44 (0)28- 90 64 71 06

E-mail: innate@ntlworld.com

About War Resisters' International

In every country, in every struggle, there are people who use nonviolence to resolve conflicts, to resist injustice, and to provide real security to their communities. Where can these pacifists turn for encouragement? Where can they acquire the organising tools to carry out their campaigns? War resisters' International.

War Resisters' International is a network of pacifists and nonviolent activists on every continent, who work on national, regional and international levels, as well as in local communities, to end war and the causes of war. Originally founded in 1921, WRI is based on the declaration made by each member:

War is a crime against humanity.

I am therefore determined not to support any kind of war and to strive for the removal of the causes of war.

WRI serves first and foremost as a communication and information link. But it goes further. We build support campaigns for individual objectors and anti-war groups that come under attack for standing up for their beliefs. And we promote active nonviolent strategies for transforming militaristic societies.

What do WRI members believe?

That war is never the way to solve conflicts, that it serves to perpetuate cycles of violence and hatred.

That the cycle of war and violence can only be broken when people refuse to participate in the institutions of war and militarism.

That we have to build alternatives to the systems and relationships of domination which lie at the root of war.

That nonviolence and nonviolent direct action can be powerful forces for transforming society.

WRI members: who are we?

WRI members come from over 40 countries, participating through national Sections and Associate organisations. This extensive network brings together a diverse community. Young men in dozens of countries who refuse military service and war tax resisters in a dozen more. Peace researchers; nonviolence trainers. Those who work against rape or racial attacks, and those who protest against nuclear testing. And while many WRI members take an activist role in campaigns, others may carry out their war resistance in quieter ways in the decisions they make in their daily lives.

Our links with Latin America

At present we have affiliates in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Chile. In 1994 we had an International Triennial in Brazil and we are planning to have our next annual Council and Seminar in Medell'n, Colombia in August 2003. Spanish is one of our official languages and our Programme and Development Worker in London is from Chile

Triennial 2002 in Dublin

Dublin will host our international meeting in Dublin. The title of it: Stories & Strategies - Nonviolent Resistance & Social Change. LASC is one of the groups of the Republic of Ireland who is hosting us there. We invite you to participate, invite people from Latin America to come and also to visit our web page at wri-irg.org

You can also contact our Dublin office at Dublin@wri-irg.org, Pat and Siva will be more than happy to give you as much info as you need.

Useful Irish Phrases

Hello - Dia dhaoibh

Welcome - De bhur mbeatha

Good Luck - Go n-eiri go geal leat

Have a good day - La maith agaibh

Goodbye - Slan

Goodbye till later - Slan go foill

Good night - Oiche mhaith agat

Thank you - Go raibh maith agat

Ladies - Mna

Gentlemen - Fir

City centre - An Lar

Index of background articles

• Florencia Mallon, Telling Stories across Generations: history, memory and identity
• Drazen Simlisa, Croatia: a small country for a great plunder
• Paula Green, Beneath the Surface of Religious and Cultural Conflicts
• Ekkehart Krippendorf, The State and Militarism after 11 September