Nonviolence Programme staff appointed

We are very pleased to announce that War Resisters' International has hired Javier Garate from Santiago, Chile as staff for our new Nonviolence Programme.

Javier, who is active with Ni Casco Ni Uniforme (Neither Helmet nor Uniform), a WRI Section, brings a variety of experiences that will help him in his new work. Some of you may have met Javier when he attended the International Conscientious Objectors' Day training and activities in Israel in 2003. He was also one of the host organisers for May 15th in Chile in 2004. Javier will begin work in London in mid-March.

At the War Resisters' International Council meeting in Ohrid, Macedonia, in June 2004, it was decided to merge the WRI programmes "Nonviolence and Social Empowerment" and "Globalisation and Militarism" to a new programme called "Nonviolence Programme" that would be staffed. As the Nonviolence Programme worker, Javier will develop this new program, specifically:

• Develop and distribute resources on nonviolence and nonviolent strategies for use by the WRI network and wider movement.
• Network with groups interested in using nonviolence for social change, making WRI's resources available to grassroots activists doing antimilitarist and globalization from below work.
• Develop resources for WRI's war profiteering campaign.
• Develop fundraising strategy for the Nonviolence Programme work.

The hiring process began in September. We had a large number of applicants, eight were asked to answer specific questions regarding the job, and three final candidates were interviewed. Javier's experience, insights and enthusiasm for all aspects of the work made it clear that he was the right candidate for the position. Below is Javier's own introduction of himself to you. I hope that you respond to his invitation to work with you on these important projects that promote nonviolence.

Joanne Sheehan, WRI Chair

My name is Javier Gárate. To be chosen for the job at the WRI gives me great joy, and at the same time, it is a big challenge. The challenge, that together all of us who are part of WRI can develop an active campaign on nonviolence and can struggle against the war profiteers. To meet this challenge, a strong network coordination and working together with commitment and cooperation is essential.

In this same spirit I intend to draw on the different experiences that have been developed in nonviolence, to create the materials to support the existing experiences and at the same time promote them so that new experiences can emerge in the nonviolence struggle.

I will bring all my experience gained during the seven years of work in the conscientious objection group Ni Casco Ni Uniforme in Santiago Chile. I am a founding member, and part of the first group to present ourselves as CO, a right that is still not recognised in Chile.

At the same time I hope to contribute with the perspectives that my anthropology studies give me in order to promote the values of cultural diversity.

I don't have more to say other than to invite you to join us in the big challenge that a nonviolence program has in today's world.